Spanish-born American talk show host and actor Mark Consuelos is mourning the loss of his father, Saul Consuelos. He announced the death on the April 6 episode of his daytime program, Live with Kelly and Mark, which he co-hosts with his wife, Kelly Ripa.
“Two weeks ago today [March 23], my father passed away after a long bout with illness. He passed away peacefully. Gosh, such a fascinating man.”
Saul Consuelos, who emigrated from Mexico as a young boy, later served in the United States Navy. He was married to Mark’s mother, the Italian-born Camilla Consuelos, for nearly six decades.
Mark Consuelos revealed on his talk show that he was lucky enough to get down to his parents’ house and “say goodbye” to his dad amid his busy schedule rehearsing for his Broadway debut in Fallen Angels. However, it has been a “welcome distraction” ever since the tragedy.
“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 and he’s able to be part of it,” Mark added.
More about Mark Consuelos’ parents
Mark Consuelos, 55, spoke fondly about his late dad on Live with Mark and Kelly.
“He served his country for 30 years and ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education from the Navy. Was always going to school. Was brilliant. Got his Master’s while I was a kid.”
Mark Consuelos also reflected on many things he learned from his father over the years.
“It’s funny, I used to make a joke about my dad — if you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch. 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. And I didn’t know at the time why he was doing that. But now at the house, I’m able to do at least half of the stuff that he did. I learned the most by just watching him.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Ripa paid tribute to her father-in-law by calling him the “greatest person I’ve ever known.” She addressed her husband and said:
“You have been blessed more because you knew him your whole life. I only got to know my father-in-law for 31 years, but they were the best 31 years of my life. 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, also 55, also mentioned how “very involved” Saul was in his family, especially the lives of his grandchildren:
“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… I keep explaining to my kids how lucky they were. They still have three grandparents. They took it particularly hard. This is their first loss that they’ve ever experienced in their lives.”
Earlier, Kelly Ripa also spoke about her close bond with her mother-in-law. In July 2019, she shared visiting Camilla’s home in Southern Italy (where Mark Consuelos spent his childhood) with her three children: Michael, 28, Lola, 24, and Joaquin, 23.
The following year, in September, Ripa took to Instagram and celebrated Camilla’s birthday in a heartfelt post. The caption read:
“Happy Birthday to the lady who started this whole thing! Camilla Consuelos. I’m lucky to call you my mother-in-law… with so much [red heart emoji].”
Towards the end of Monday’s episode, Mark Consuelos shared that his priority right now is to help his mother through her grief. In a light-hearted moment, he also suggested that maybe encouraging Camilla to host a Friday cooking segment on his show would finally make her move to New York closer to him.
Mark Consuelos’ older sister, Adriana, also has multiple pictures of her “priceless” moments with their parents. In one, she called Saul her “hero” and Camilla an “integral” part in the upbringing of her grandkids.
Last October, Adriana, who is an attorney, writer, ballerina, and health/ beauty influencer, shared a full family picture with the parents, captioned:
“Celebrating Nonno and Nonna. We love you so…”
Other posts with captions like “Favorite part of my day” and “Time with my father” can also be seen on her Instagram in recent months.
Mark Consuelos also has an older brother, Mike, who is a doctor.
Edited by Pallavi K