Mark Consuelos Says Kelly Ripa Building $120M ‘Live’ Empire Has “Advanced the Cause for Women”
Kelly Ripa is an icon in her stead. The talk show host has amassed a sizable following over the course of the last two decades. Her demeanor, her grace, poise, and cheerful persona have won her the hearts of fans and studio executives alike. But it has not been easy by any means for her. Every successful career has a story behind it, and Ripa’s is one of sheer determination. Rumor has it that her success is the result of a long battle against sexism in the industry – a battle she won.
The Rise to Fame
Kelly Ripa was not always a talk show host. The actor of All My Children fame was renowned for being a soap opera star before she joined her first Live co-host Regis Philbin in 2000. But it was not at all the wrong call, as Ripa would later go on to justify.
Kelly Ripa kickstarted a career that would go on to be counted as one of the most successful that a contemporary talk show host could have hoped for. The mother of three boasts of having hosted the syndicated talk show for well over two decades.
A remarkable achievement indeed!
Kelly Ripa’s success is a testament to her tenacity
Ripa’s career has not only been long, but it has also been equally remarkable. The Cheaper By the Dozen star has ensured that the ratings of Live always remained above the bar, ensuring that the show’s dominance remained unquestioned.
That is how crucial she has been to the network. But her rise was not that easy, as she had to tackle a lot of issues head-on, with the studio executives causing all sorts of problems for her. Her husband, Mark Consuelos couldn’t help but pay a tribute to her journey prompting him to say her ascent has “advanced the cause for women”, and rightly so.
Kelly Ripa has had to face it all
Kelly Ripa was not treated back when she started the way she is treated now. The Marvin’s Room star was kept in the dark by the studio about most of the critical information, including the removal of two of her co-hosts. She neither got paid vacation time nor maternity leave nor a wardrobe budget.
Looking back at those days,
“It was very tough. Had I known how difficult it would have been, I don’t know that I would have gone for it. I just think my ignorance in that situation wound up being my blessing and my superpower. I did not have an easy time.”
Much to Live fans’ relief, those are the days of the past. The Live Wire author has also not only gone on to carve out a name for herself but also built her net worth up to a whopping $120 million, which is nothing short of fairly impressive.
Source: Variety
