Mark Consuelos Opens Up About ‘Quick and Painless’ Death of His Father Saul After ‘Brutal Five-Month Battle’

LIVE with Kelly and Mark co-host Mark Consuelos reflected on the 'quick and painless' death of his father Saul Consuelos who passed away, at age 87, on March 23 after a long illness (pictured in 2022) — LIVE with Kelly and Mark co-host Mark Consuelos reflected on the ‘quick and painless’ death of his father Saul Consuelos who passed away, at age 87, on March 23 after a long illness (pictured in 2022)

Mark Consuelos, co-host of LIVE with Kelly and Mark, recently shared a deeply emotional reflection on the passing of his father, Saul Consuelos, who died at the age of 87 on March 23 after a prolonged illness. In a poignant conversation on the I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario podcast, Mark described the five-month struggle leading up to his father’s death as “brutal,” but found solace in the “quick and painless” way he passed away.

The 55-year-old Daytime Emmy winner told the I've Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario podcast on Tuesday: 'It was like a kind of a brutal five-month saga leading up to him passing, and I knew it was happening [in months or years]' — The 55-year-old Daytime Emmy winner told the I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario podcast on Tuesday: ‘It was like a kind of a brutal five-month saga leading up to him passing, and I knew it was happening [in months or years]’

“It was like a brutal five-month saga leading up to him passing,” Mark, 55, shared. “I knew it was coming—when I saw him, I knew this was going to happen whether it took a year or two. So I prepared myself for the eventuality.”

Consuelos 'prayed for a merciful exit' for his father, who was like a 'mythical character' to him — Consuelos ‘prayed for a merciful exit’ for his father, who was like a ‘mythical character’ to him

'Thankfully, it happened that way very quickly and painlessly and it was so merciful,' the Spanish-born American said — ‘Thankfully, it happened that way very quickly and painlessly and it was so merciful,’ the Spanish-born American said

He continued: 'He's like the best man I've ever met. He's just, you know, everything good that I've kind of glommed on to of how I carry myself comes from him' — He continued: ‘He’s like the best man I’ve ever met. He’s just, you know, everything good that I’ve kind of glommed on to of how I carry myself comes from him’

The US Navy veteran – who immigrated from Mexico as a teenager – served the States for 30 years, ending up at the US Special Operations Command headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida

On April 27, the whole Consuelos family reunited for a celebration of life memorial for Saul featuring a Mexican ofrenda and mariachi band

'The reality of him being gone hit, of him actually being gone,' the Scream 7 actor recalled. 'I'm going to miss giving him a hug or holding his hand or just, you know, laughing with him' — ‘The reality of him being gone hit, of him actually being gone,’ the Scream 7 actor recalled. ‘I’m going to miss giving him a hug or holding his hand or just, you know, laughing with him’

Reflecting on his father’s life, Mark revealed that Saul was like a “mythical character” to him. “I prayed for a merciful exit for him,” Mark said, adding that the death was “quick, painless, and merciful.” He described his father as “the best man I’ve ever met,” with much of Mark’s own character and values stemming from the lessons he learned from him.

Consuelos first publicly announced the death of the patriarch during the April 6 episode of his ABC morning show where his wife Kelly Ripa revealed their three adult children 'took it particularly hard. This is their first loss that they've ever experienced in their lives' — Consuelos first publicly announced the death of the patriarch during the April 6 episode of his ABC morning show where his wife Kelly Ripa revealed their three adult children ‘took it particularly hard. This is their first loss that they’ve ever experienced in their lives’

The 9-1-1 actor said of his Italian mother Camilla, still living in Florida: 'Now we got to take care of mom. We're trying to convince my mom to move to New York. She's such a character. She's very stubborn' (pictured April 27 with his daughter Lola) — The 9-1-1 actor said of his Italian mother Camilla, still living in Florida: ‘Now we got to take care of mom. We’re trying to convince my mom to move to New York. She’s such a character. She’s very stubborn’ (pictured April 27 with his daughter Lola)

On May 1, the inseparable presenters impressively celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with the 55-year-old Jersey Girl writing on Instagram: '360 months. 1,565 weeks. 10,957 days. 15,778,080 minutes and I'll be loving you always. Cheers to 30 years!' — On May 1, the inseparable presenters impressively celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with the 55-year-old Jersey Girl writing on Instagram: ‘360 months. 1,565 weeks. 10,957 days. 15,778,080 minutes and I’ll be loving you always. Cheers to 30 years!’

Mark’s emotional words echoed the sentiment shared by Kelly Ripa, his wife, who revealed on the April 6 episode of their show that their three adult children “took it particularly hard” as this was their first experience with loss. Mark also spoke of the deep bond he shared with his father, admitting he would miss “giving him a hug, holding his hand, or laughing with him.”

Consuelos and Ripa originally met at a gym in 1995 before playing onscreen lovers Mateo and Hayley on the ABC soap opera All My Children

On April 27, the Consuelos family held a “celebration of life” memorial for Saul, featuring a Mexican ofrenda and mariachi band to honor his heritage. Mark reflected on the reality of his father’s absence, expressing that while he still feels Saul’s presence, he will miss the little moments they shared.

The empty nester (R, pictured April 19) made his Broadway debut as Maurice Duclos opposite Rose Byrne in the Noël Coward 1928-set comedy Fallen Angels, which runs through June 7 at the Todd Haimes Theatre in Midtown Manhattan

In the wake of this loss, Mark has turned his focus to supporting his mother, Camilla, who still lives in Florida. “Now we got to take care of mom,” he said, humorously mentioning that they’re trying to convince her to move to New York, though “she’s very stubborn.”

This past month, Mark and Kelly also celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in a heartfelt Instagram post, where Kelly shared a touching message celebrating their three decades of love: “360 months. 1,565 weeks. 10,957 days. 15,778,080 minutes and I’ll be loving you always. Cheers to 30 years!”

Mark’s father was a U.S. Navy veteran who immigrated from Mexico as a teenager. He served for 30 years, including a position at the U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida. Mark’s heartfelt memories of Saul continue to shape his path forward as he focuses on his family and new chapters in life.