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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on an episode of their show "Live with Kelly and Mark" on March 11th, 2025© Disney via Getty Images

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Kelly Ripa opens up about empty nest lifestyle: 'Total freak show all the time'

Ripa and Mark Consuelos' three children have all graduated from college


Maria Loreto
Senior Writer
MAY 27, 2025 3:24 PM EDT

Kelly Ripa is opening up about some of the perks of living in a house where there are no kids around. She and her husband, Mark Consuelos, have taken all of their kids through college, and are now proud empty nesters. 

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos co-host "Live with Kelly and Mark" for the last time at 7 Lincoln Square, featuring special guest Anderson Cooper with coverage airing on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. © Disney via Getty Images
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are embracing their empty nester era

In a new episode of their show, "Live with Kelly and Mark," the pair opened up about the strange feelings that occur when all of the kids leave the house. 

"The first one is like a bit of a shock. Each one, the second one, is like, no big deal. Third one, for 24 to 48 hours, you're going to be like, 'Oh my gosh, what have we done now? Now it's just us,'" said Ripa

"And then your entire life becomes nudity in the household, wherever you want. Total freak show all the time," she said, prompting a smile from Consuelos and laughs from the audience. 

 Kelly Ripa with husband Mark Consuelos in 2010 © Larry Busacca
The pair share three kids: Michael, Lola, and Joaquin

Joaquin's college graduation

Ripa and Consuelos share three kids: Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 22. They've documented their kids journeys over the years, with Joaquin graduating earlier this month from the University of Michigan. 

The couple shared the news of Joaquin's graduation in an episode of their show. “Anyway, we just returned from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where our newborn baby graduated from university. That’s right, we’re done!" said Ripa.

Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and their son Joaquin went on a trip to England© @kellyripa
Joaquin was the last to graduate, prompting mixed feelings from his parents

They revealed that Joaquin performed at his graduation and that his sister Lola flew in from London to support him on his special day. "He was incredible and amazing and we were very impressed," said Ripa of Joaquin's performance. "Then our daughter flew in from London to catch the performance. And then the following day, he got his diploma from the school of drama." 

She revealed that since Joaquin was the last to graduate, it did feel different than the rest of their kids' graduation. "So we just kept waiting for something bad to happen,” said Ripa. But in the end, he did graduate, and Ripa and Consuelos are doing great! 

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on an episode of their show "Live with Kelly and Mark" on March 11th, 2025© Disney via Getty Images
The proud parents have gotten all of their kids through college

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