Kelly Ripa has revealed the invaluable advice she received from Oprah Winfrey when contemplating whether to leave Live With Kelly and Mark after a 25-year run.
Speaking to Variety, the 55-year-old said: “Let me give Oprah credit. She left her show at the 25-year mark, and I asked, ‘Should this be my signal?’ She said, ‘Don’t leave. Don’t do it. Right now, you’ll regret it.’”
Oprah reminded Ripa that the show’s dynamic with husband and co-host Mark Consuelos is more important than ever, and that audiences rely on it as a source of joy amid a constant 24-hour news cycle. “People really relate to it, and they need that in this world of a lot of darkness,” Ripa said.
Kelly first co-hosted the show alongside Regis Philbin in 2001. After Regis left in 2011, she was joined by Michael Strahan (2012–2016) and Ryan Seacrest (2017–2023), before officially welcoming her husband Mark Consuelos as co-host in April 2023.
Reflecting on her tenure, Ripa shared how her children have occasionally made appearances on the show, highlighting the personal touch that keeps the program connected to families. Her eldest son Michael recently surprised her on the Feb. 20 episode, presenting flowers and reminiscing about favorite moments, including a memorable swamp tour in Louisiana.
Even though Ripa jokes about considering her eventual departure, she emphasizes: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We are really having a very good time. The show is far more important than any two hosts. I want the show to live forever.”
From milestone family moments to international recognition — including her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 — Ripa continues to balance her professional legacy with her personal life, cherishing both her career and her family, which includes Mark and their three children: Michael, 28; Lola, 24; and Joaquin, 22.
