On the morning of April 6, 2026, viewers of the syndicated talk show Live with Kelly and Mark were met with somber news. Mark Consuelos, the show’s co-host and well-known actor, tearfully announced the passing of his father, Saul Consuelos. The revelation came after a brief hiatus from the show, and Mark’s words resonated with both the studio audience and millions at home: "Two weeks ago today, my father passed away after a long bout with an illness. He passed away peacefully. Such a fascinating man." Saul Consuelos died on March 23, 2026, after a prolonged illness, at the heart of a family that deeply cherished him.
Kelly Ripa, Consuelos’s wife of nearly three decades and his co-host, joined in remembering Saul with heartfelt gratitude. She described her father-in-law as "the greatest person I’ve ever known," adding, "I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He really is so symbolic of everything you are." Ripa’s words, as reported by People and Entertainment Weekly, underscored the profound impact Saul had on the entire family.
Saul Consuelos’s story is one of resilience, service, and quiet heroism. Originally from Mexico, Saul immigrated to the United States in his early teens. Mark recalled, "He came here from Mexico in his early teens. He immigrated here from Mexico, he served his country for 30 years. Ended up in special operations command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education through the Navy, was always going to school. Brilliant, got his master's while I was a kid and he loved this country so much." According to People, Saul’s journey was emblematic of the American dream—a testament to what the country promises those who arrive seeking opportunity. Mark emphasized, "If you’re going to put a face to an immigrant, he would be the prime example of what this country promises people."
During the emotional segment, Mark reflected on the many lessons he learned from his father. He described Saul as a hands-on parent, someone who preferred to teach by doing. "There were a lot of lectures, a lot of lectures, and I learned so much. If he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it," Mark shared. He joked, "If you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch." These lessons, sometimes delivered with a dose of tough love, shaped Mark’s approach to life and family. "I learned the most by just watching him... by watching the man he was," he said on Live with Kelly and Mark.
Saul’s influence extended far beyond his own children. Mark and Kelly’s three grown children—Michael (28), Lola (24), and Joaquin (23)—were especially close to their grandfather. Ripa noted, "This is the first loss they’ve ever experienced in their lives." She gently reminded them, "By the time I was 8, I had no grandparents. You got to grow up [with grandparents]. You got to have deep, meaningful conversations [with them]." The loss has been particularly hard for the family, given Saul’s active role in their daily lives.
Kelly Ripa recalled the many times Saul stepped in to help with the children when Mark’s acting career took him on the road. "A lot of times you’d be away working and we would take the show on the road and your dad would come on remotes to take care of the kids so I could go to work," she said, according to Parade. Saul’s presence was so constant and caring that, as Ripa recounted, some even mistook him for her husband at school events. "He was very involved," she said. "I remember one year, randomly, [Mark] showed up and they were like, ‘Is this your new husband? Because he resembles your old husband.’ And I was like, ‘No, this is my husband, that was my father-in-law.'"
For Mark, the timing of his father’s passing coincided with rehearsals for his upcoming Broadway play, Fallen Angels. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to say goodbye, sharing, "I was able to thankfully get down there and say goodbye." The Broadway production, he admitted, provided a welcome distraction during a difficult period. "I really feel like that was such a welcome distraction for me. I knew I had to keep on going, especially during that time. It's been great. I had such a good time doing it. I know he's there watching," Mark said, his voice thick with emotion.
Kelly Ripa, ever supportive, praised her husband’s strength and resilience. "You’re the strongest person I know. You continually inspire me every day. All of the good things that I love about you, I loved those same things about your dad. So I just want to say thank you, dad, for everything you gave to us. Everything." Her words, as captured by People, reflected the deep love and respect the family held for Saul.
As the Consuelos family navigates this new chapter, their focus has shifted to supporting Mark’s mother, Camilla Consuelos. Mark shared with viewers, "Now we've got to take care of mom. We're trying to convince mom to move to New York." The suggestion sparked a lighthearted moment on the show, with Mark proposing a cooking segment featuring his mother. Ripa played along, joking, "Yeah! Cooking with Camilla! Put her to work! Enough of this life of leisure!" It was a brief moment of levity in an otherwise emotional broadcast, hinting at the family’s enduring sense of togetherness and humor.
Throughout the segment, both Mark and Kelly emphasized the importance of family and legacy. Kelly called Mark and his siblings their father’s "living legacy," a sentiment echoed across all their remarks. The couple’s openness about grief, love, and gratitude offered viewers a window into the private world of a family mourning a beloved patriarch, while also celebrating the values he embodied—hard work, perseverance, and devotion to loved ones.
Out of respect for Saul Consuelos’s privacy, Mark’s representatives declined to share further details about his life, preferring to let Mark’s own words stand as tribute. The family’s public acknowledgment of their loss, their memories, and their plans to care for one another serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring bonds that hold families together in times of sorrow and transition.
As the Consuelos family moves forward, Saul’s legacy of service, love, and steadfastness continues to shape their lives. His story, as told by those who loved him most, stands as a testament to the quiet impact one life can have on generations—and on the country he chose to call home.