Kelly Ripa says ‘it’s fine to fight sometimes’ in marriage: ‘I really do worship Mark’

Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa is talking about her marriage again – nooo. I do like Kelly a lot and thought she was a good replacement after Kathie Lee left “Live!” all those years ago. Remember how Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford used to talk about their marriage all the time, and they even made a silly instructional video series about how to stay strong as a couple? Then in 1997, Frank got caught on videotape while nailing a flight attendant. Somehow they weathered that storm together, but it just goes to show that bragging about one’s marriage (in a very extreme way in this case) can often lead to embarrassment.

In her own way, Kelly has done her fair share of talking up her own marriage to Mark Consuelos. While she’s never done what Kathie Lee did and handed out guidelines that everyone should follow, there’s still some of that bubbling under the surface. As in Kelly discussed how she loves to serve Mark breakfast in bed because it makes him (not her) happy, and Mark has admitted that he’d be perfectly happy living in the 1950s because Kelly conforms to that era quite well in their marriage. Now Kelly is upping the ante by openly admitting that she “worships” Mark, but she’s also discussing what they fight about too. She even talked to People about it. Really:

Kelly Ripa

After nearly 17 years of happy marriage to Mark Consuelos, one thing can still really set off Kelly Ripa.

“I am openly hostile when Mark leaves the toilet seat up,” Ripa, 42, told PEOPLE Tuesday at a private dinner in New York to honor her pal, Bravo star Andy Cohen, and his partnership with the retail site Gilt Man. “I don’t think you get past the little pet peeves.”

“Mark never puts the toilet seat back down, and it irritates me,” she continued. “We still fight about it. But it’s OK to fight about things. We’re secure with each other. I don’t feel like if we have an argument, it will be the end of our lives.”

Although the Live! With Kelly and Michael host would prefer her husband, 42, to kick his habit, “I really do worship Mark,” she said. “I love everything about him, even his annoying habits.”

“He is the person I was meant to be with forever, and I think he feels the same way,” Ripa said. “We really do have quite an allegiance to one another. No matter what, we support each other in everything we do.”

[From People]

Here’s the thing (and I am by no means an expert on marriage, but I don’t think anyone is) — I really feel that differences over “annoying habits” are okay to occasionally fuss over or even just ignore. Fights will happen, and you can’t stop them all. Obviously, larger issues and differences matter much more that little ones like the toilet seat, and everyone has a threshold of bullsh-t that they are willing to tolerate from a spouse. Once you start to really focus on the little stuff though, things will probably fall apart. Like, you can’t micromanage a marriage without breeding resentment.

As for Kelly and Mark, I think they’re fine. She’s happy bringing home millions while still running herself into the ground at home trying to be a perfect 1950s housewife at the same time, and he’s cool with that too. All the same, I don’t understand why anyone would brag about their marriage (like Kelly keeps doing) in a public venue if they’re not trying to prove something to themselves in the process. Facebook friends, I’m looking at you.

Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN

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58 Responses to “Kelly Ripa says ‘it’s fine to fight sometimes’ in marriage: ‘I really do worship Mark’”

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  1. Val says:

    The only time I talk about my marriage on Facebook is when I’m telling my husband happy anniversary. Anything more than that is overkill.

    • virginia5 says:

      I’m not trying to be rude, but why wouldn’t you just say that to him in person, instead of putting it on fb?

      • Val says:

        I do both. I mean, I guess I do do it to show people hey, I’m still married.

      • Allie says:

        @Virginia5 LOVE.

      • Marigold says:

        Oh, c’mon. We could take that argument all the way down the line-why wish anyone anything on facebook when you could call them on the phone or write them a private email or drive to their house and say it in person? Like someone said below, it’s sort of a quiet way to “shout it from the rooftops” without being over the top. It’s harmless.

      • Steph says:

        Mari- it’s different if you live with someone. If its so amazing, worry about spending time with them, not putting it on the web. Why shout it from the rooftops at all? Just is not necessary. IMO

    • C. C. Cedras says:

      You know, I did the same this week — it was our 19th anniversary — I shouted it from the virtual “rooftops”, Twitter, Facebook, on my blog, I even changed my profile photo for the day to one of our wedding pics. I’m just still so in love with my husband that I had to share the moment. No way to know, of course, but it didn’t seem to offend anyone.

      • The Original Tiffany says:

        I celebrated my 19th anniversary this week too. (24 together) So Happy Anniversary!

        That being said, I didn’t put anything about it on FB or anything else. I told my girlfriends, but publicly? Why?
        I told my hubby in person. I don’t need a bunch of strangers to validate my marriage. It seems really strange to me that while you are with the one you love, you’d need to type it into your computer. Different strokes, I guess.

        My husband and I are very much in love, so much so I don’t need to announce it to others.

      • C. C. Cedras says:

        @TheOriginalTiffany and @Caroline — Happy anniversary to you both.

    • Caroline says:

      Same here (17 years)! I even posted a then-and-now pic.

      Come on its harmless!

  2. Lulu.T.O. says:

    If your husband is freaked out by your belly button that is not a good thing. That is seriously the only thing I remember about one of the times she blathered about their relationship. 🙄

    • DSS says:

      The belly button thing is kind of understandable….her belly button is really freaky (overall though she is adorable)

  3. anneesezz says:

    I think they are so cute. Hopefully her success will not be the demise of their marriage. I work in South Jersey and she donates a lot of money to the local hospital where she grew up. She’s a really good person. I think the ditzy thing is an act for the show. I hope they make it. They seem like a nice family.

  4. aims says:

    I always feel a little apprehensive when someone talks about how perfect there marriage is. Nothing is perfect, because people aren’t perfect. At the end of the day, friendship is important. Friendship has been the glue that has kept our marriage together, and humour is a biggie.

  5. TheOriginalKitten says:

    Ha ha..”Facebook friends-I’m looking at you.”

    AWESOME.

    I still love Ripa, despite HER annoying habits, like boasting about her marriage. She and Mark have always seemed to have such a solid, healthy relationship and I feel like he worships her just as much as she worships him. I hope these two crazy kids make it-Hwood seems to be where marriages go to die.

  6. mkyarwood says:

    No fight, no passion, but hopefully she is taking into account the difference between fighting and ceaseless bickering.

    • Nicolette says:

      I agree about the no fight no passion. It’s weird but it spices things up a bit. Not big huge fights, but a little disagreement here and there is normal, and the making up can sure be fun. I don’t know anyone that has a perfect marriage, and wonder if such a thing exists. If anyone here does, kudos to you and let the rest of us in on your secret.

  7. Jane says:

    She’s pulling a bit of a Leann Rimes here and it’s disturbing.

  8. Charlotte says:

    I love them as a couple, and hope they never break up ever, but this interview seems a little fake. Leaving the toilet seat up is the most stereotypical “small annoyance” there is. It’s literally what you talk about when you don’t actually want to give someone a glimpse into your relationship at all. Which I think was the point, and a good move on her part.

    • Joanna says:

      +1

    • Marigold says:

      I don’t know. I’ve watched her show a bunch and she really does mention that a lot. I think it really, really bothers her.

      • Rachel says:

        It would really, really bother me. I mean, think about those times you really have to pee in the middle of the night! You don’t turn on a light. You’re half asleep, you stumble into the bathroom, sit down and BAM! You fall into the toilet. That would be WWIII in my house.

    • Mr.Smurf says:

      Or when someone (BOYS) pee on the toilet seat and don’t clean it up….they always wonder why I’m freaking out about it because almost every single time I go into the bathroom there’s pee.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        I recently had a 20 min conversation with my brother and two of his friends about this very topic.

        Why is it so hard to piss in the damn toilet? Also why does boys’ pee smell so rank?

        They then proceeded to educate me about the *splashback* phenomenon.

        I told those bastards they need to pee sitting down in my house. For realz.

  9. DeltaJuliet says:

    I wish I felt like that about my husband lol.

  10. daphne says:

    She’s happy bringing home millions while still running herself into the ground at home trying to be a perfect 1950s housewife at the same time, and he’s cool with that too
    ————————————–
    Of course he’s cool with that. It’s called living on easy street.

  11. tracking says:

    Perfect 1950s housewife? I’m quite sure she has plenty.of.help. As she should. This allows her to make her husband a priority, a good thing all spouses should try to do. A bit harder when you’re fighting about real stuff, like money and whose turn it is to scrub the toilets.

  12. Yelly says:

    Love them. Nothing wrong with an old fashioned marriage.

  13. TG says:

    Ever since Heidi Klum and her fake effusive love of her husband Seal I don’t believe in any of these celebs and their bs. I remember Heidi was at a red carpet, it might have been the Oscars, and the interviewer asked her who she was excited to see and Heidi said that she wasn’t looking forward to seeing anyone since Seal is all she needs and the only one she was excited about. Yet somehow this same man is violent according to her and not worthy of being her husband anymore. She is so full of bs. Even if she didn’t have a physical relationship with the help she was having an emotional affair and I don’t blame Seal for getting upset that a guy who was hired to take care of his family was moving in on his territory. What are the kids supposed to think. So I think Kelly is probably hiding something too. Probably guilt for cheating on him or something. Who knows.

    • bns says:

      I agree about Heidi and Seal. Their breakup didn’t shock me at all.

      • TG says:

        It shocked me. I guess I never read any gossip about them so all I had to go on was her interviews and photos and appearances together. Also, the yearly vowell renewals. I thought they were so cute together and she was so adorable because she so in love with Seal. Well, now I can’t stand her. I am sure he isn’t perfect but it was she who was always giving the interviews and going on about how awesome he was and how much in love with him she was. He had even said the vowel renewals were her idea. So she was so fake and full of it and all for her image. Can’t stand her any more. She also is one of the worst dresser out there. Her outfits are so tacky and ugly and I am not just talking about red carpet looks.

  14. jc126 says:

    I always feel uncomfortable reading about Kelly R and Mark C and their marriage. She makes it sound like she waits on him hand and foot and that he’s a chauvinist pig, It’s unsettling to think it might be true. Yuck

  15. Lindsey says:

    Two things: 1) I like that pink hat and 2) I think she’s over-compensating for clearly being the breadwinner so she still has to make herself the little woman.

    • aims says:

      I think you’re right. Maybe Mark has a problem knowing his wife is supporting their lifestyle, so Kelly submits to make him feel like a man.

      • TG says:

        Sounds like what JHo tries to do in all her marriages/dating of losers. But, ultimately the diva in her can never submit for long. Thank goodness for her sake. Eventually the novelty of pretending to be submissive wears off and she realizes that the guy isn’t worth submitting to because she is the one with all the power. Can’t wait until she cuts the shrunken headed casper loose.

  16. MsAubra says:

    She has always said when recalling how she and Mark decided to get married that she wanted a MARRIAGE! 🙂

  17. RobN says:

    After 17 years, I just think it’s nice that they’re still into each other. I don’t brag about my great marriage, but then again, not being famous means that nobody ever asks me about it. If you did, I’d go on and on about him and you’d wish you’d never asked. I think she also mentions that they’re not perfect, and they do fight, but she likes to focus on the longterm commitment, and that’s a good thing, more people ought to do that.

    • guilty pleasures says:

      Hear, hear!! I don’t brag about how much I love my husband, how well we look after each other, and how I would serve him breakfast in bed (not his thing) anytime!! The only reason for that is that no one asks me!! Seems stupid to annoy friends with it, as they see us and can draw their own conclusions.
      Love Kelly, loved them both since their All My Children days!

  18. Holden says:

    He does her makeup, right?

    • guilty pleasures says:

      Why does this comment even make sense to you?

      • Jules says:

        An even better question, why do you feel the need to attempt to shame someone? Why not just say, “please clarify” if you really want to know.

      • guilty pleasures says:

        @Jules, seriously? My choice of words got your back up more than the obvious implied insult given by whomever above? I’ll never understand the interwebs.
        I don’t see an attempt to shame- I asked a direct question.

  19. NEENAZEE says:

    You nailed it, Bedhead… why all the public declarations about relationships (and other things that should be private) unless there’s an ulterior motive? We’ve become a world of egomaniacs that must talk, write and type about ourselves at least a few hours every day!
    Kelly and Mark are a pretty cute couple tho… and perfectly sized for one another… I ran into him at his accountant’s office last year… he’s gorgeous but they’re both teeny, tiny, little peanuts.

    • Becky1 says:

      Agreed @Neenazee! Our culture has become so narcissistic and showy. I truly don’t understand the need to constantly publicize your life on Facebook. I really think some people would feel like they didn’t exist if they weren’t on FB all the time posting pics and talking about their lives.

  20. Isla says:

    I couldn’t agree more about “Facebook friends, I’m looking at you”.

    Without fail, the FB friends that constantly tell their spouses how much they love them or wish them a Happy Anniversary via FB, are the ones who inevitably have MAJOR marital problems.

    My sister, one of my good friends and a few other acquaintances have/had a habit of doing this and some/most of these relationships are no longer or are on their way there.

    I just will never understand why you feel the need to “communicate” with your partner via social media when you can just as easily roll over and say it to them face to face or at the VERY LEAST text or email them! It’s like someone above said, they’re seeking validation or worse, seeking attention.

    Sad, either way.

    • Victoria1 says:

      +1 I don’t talk to my cousin for this reason. I deleted Facebook and remembered her birthday so I texted her, not good enough. She was like why don’t you write it on my wall? I responded oh you’re welcome for taking the time out of my day to wish you a happy birthday not using social media. She was one of those always bragging about marriage and kids too.

      • Isla says:

        @Victoria1, my neighbor stopped talking to me because I told her that professing your love and happiness ad nauseum on FB is a sign of narcissism and that something in the water “ain’t right”.

        I must’ve been right because she stopped talking to me after that…

        Oh well!

  21. Happy21 says:

    I’d worship her hubby too…look at him!

    LOL, that being said I’ve always had a soft spot for Kelly even when I find her so incredibliy annoying I want to poke my eyes out.

  22. KellyinSeattle says:

    Even though she can be annoying, I love her and her whole family…her kids are adorable but she keeps them out of the spotlight. I just loved them as Haley and Matteo (?) on All My Children.

  23. Kitty Carryall says:

    I love how Mark Consuelos says he’d be perfectly happy living in the 1950s. Guess he doesn’t realize that’d mean he wouldn’t be allowed to marry a white girl.

  24. april says:

    She is annoying. But I think they have a strong marriage and she looks really good in those photos. I love all of the clothes, especially the red dress with the black underneath.

  25. guilty pleasures says:

    Love me some Kelly and Mark! She is adorable. harmless and is living the life! Happy marriage, kids, GREAT job/income, can’t hate even a little bit. It’s refreshingly ‘normal’ after all of the horrible excuses for humanity raging around out there.

  26. kristiner says:

    Someone please tell me what this man does for a living? How does their marriage fit 1950s lifestyle when SHE’S the one bringing home ALL the bacon while he’s the stay at home dad?

    Does her bring home ANY money? Do ANY kind of job?

    • Joanna says:

      check out this link:

      http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0176175/

      it tells the projects he’s working on now and what he’s done in the past. looks like he work to me. could it be he’s not as well known as her so that’s why you thought he was mooching off of her?

  27. michele says:

    God she’s so unattractive and annoying.

  28. RdyfrmycloseupmrDvlle says:

    They are best friends with Jerry Seinfeld and his wife. There was a blind item that revield that he had an affair with seinfelds wife, jessica ( I mean, who wouldnt? Look at him!)
    So he and Jessica carried on a hot and heavy sexual relationship while she was working non stop and Jess had plenty of time as well.
    I guess kelly never found out about it or she decided to keep him regardless.
    As far as leaving the seat up: That is incredibly disrespectful to me. Its a deal breaker. My husbband has learned to pee sitting down and now he likes it.lol

  29. allanyoung says:

    According to the animal behaviors, the exist unisex toilets (so called) in houses are neither fair nor qualified for both sexes.

    Installing a urinal at home might be the best way to minimize the conflict between ladies and gentlemen. The truth is, despite its ugly look, a urinal needs more space and extra expenses.Therefore, most men could hardly persuade another half population to buy their dreams!

    What alternatives are there? Toilinal (toilinal = toilet + urinal) may be one of your choices.

    Check out the video “A home urinal” on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw86yaPICFI

    Let toilinal end men’s annoying habits.

    No more fights on the topic of toilet seat up or down!

  30. kc says:

    I worked with Kelly a few years ago on a project and got to be around her and Mark a bit. They seemed 100% legit, it was really refreshing. Solid couple. TINY though.