Kelly Ripa sparked buzz among fans — and visibly surprised her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos — when she casually brought up the topic of divorce during a recent episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.
The 54-year-old television host introduced the conversation while discussing an article she had read about “gray divorce,” a term used to describe the growing number of couples over 50 choosing to separate after decades of marriage. The trend, Ripa explained, fascinated her because it revealed how relationships evolve with age — and how some people reach a point where they choose new beginnings rather than comfort.
“It’s becoming more common than people realize,” Ripa said, as the studio audience listened closely. “I read this incredible piece that made me really think about what drives people to start over later in life.”
But what started as a casual segment quickly turned personal when she revealed that she had brought the subject up with her husband at home — and that his reaction had been anything but relaxed.
“I was talking to Mark about it,” she said with a laugh, “and he got very defensive.”
The audience broke into laughter as Ripa turned to her husband, who nodded knowingly, half amused, half exasperated. Consuelos, 53, chimed in with his side of the story. “She comes home from a trip,” he said, “and says, ‘I read this amazing article!’ I thought, oh no… what now?”
As the back-and-forth continued, Ripa couldn’t resist teasing him further. With her trademark wit, she joked that the article had been written so persuasively that she briefly considered a “gray divorce” herself. Her humor was obvious — but the joke instantly set social media alight, with some viewers taking her words at face value.
Online reactions ranged from amusement to mild panic. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) joked that Mark must have been sweating under the studio lights, while others defended Ripa, saying her comment reflected her playful on-screen persona. One viewer wrote, “If Kelly ever divorced Mark, love itself would die.”
Despite the online stir, both Ripa and Consuelos made it clear that the exchange was lighthearted banter — something they’ve built their entire on-screen chemistry around. Married since 1996, the couple has often turned their personal life into relatable TV moments, joking about everything from parenting struggles to household disagreements.
Their relationship, in fact, is one of daytime television’s longest-running partnerships — both professionally and personally. They met in the mid-’90s on the soap opera All My Children, where their on-screen romance turned into a real one. They eloped in Las Vegas just months later and went on to raise three children together.
After nearly three decades of marriage, the two have mastered the art of teasing each other without crossing lines. Ripa’s quip about “gray divorce” fit right into that rhythm.
Still, her mention of the phenomenon touched on a genuine social trend. Divorce rates among adults over 50 have nearly doubled in the past 30 years, according to recent demographic research. Experts attribute this to increased financial independence among women, longer lifespans, and shifting ideas about personal fulfillment later in life.
Ripa noted that the concept made her reflect on how relationships need to evolve with time — and how humor can help keep them grounded. “If you can laugh about the hard stuff,” she told viewers, “you’re already ahead.”
As the segment wrapped up, Consuelos smiled and reached over to hold her hand, earning applause from the audience. “We’ve made it this far,” Ripa added with a grin. “I think we’re doing okay.”
For longtime fans of the couple, it was classic Kelly and Mark — candid, spontaneous, and perfectly in sync, even when pretending not to be.