Mark Consuelos is reflecting on his relationship with Kelly Ripa ahead of their upcoming 30th wedding anniversary next year. At the premiere of their ESPN docuseries, Running with the Wolves, on July 23 in New York City, Consuelos, 54, opened up to PEOPLE about their plans for the future and their deep connection.
A Partnership Built on Shared Dreams
“I’ve been planning with this lady here since the day I met her, and that’s part of the beauty, I think, of our relationship,” Consuelos shared, emphasizing the importance of always making plans together. “Some are really exciting, some are a little scary, but that’s [life].”
Reflecting on his marriage, Consuelos added, “I think you have to choose somebody that you can dream with and I surely chose right.” He was referring to Ripa, 54, who he married in Las Vegas in 1996.
When asked about their plans for the future, Consuelos teased, “You’ll know when we do it.” Ripa jokingly added, “If you get any teasers, let me know.”
The Joy of Working Together
The couple also shared their thoughts on working together, both on Live with Kelly and Mark and in their new role as co-owners of a soccer club. Ripa revealed that hosting the morning show with her husband is her favorite job. “He makes everything so easy,” she said, laughing about how she’s “so non-involved” in the soccer team’s daily operations.
When asked to compare the two jobs, Ripa said, “It’s really a draw.” She admitted, “I cannot overstate how non-involved I am in the day-to-day operations of this, and I’m so happy about it.”
However, she did confess to feeling some anxiety when watching edits of the docuseries and learning more about the high stakes involved in owning a soccer club. “I really did get re-traumatized by it,” she said, acknowledging the challenges her husband faces in running the team.
Their Love Story
Mark and Kelly’s love story began in 1995 when they met during a screen test for All My Children. Consuelos played Ripa’s love interest on the show, and the couple went on to elope in Las Vegas in 1996.
In a recent March 6 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, Ripa revealed how she wooed Consuelos into saying “I love you” first. She explained, “What I think is that men generally love the thrill of the hunt, and I certainly was not going to pursue you.”
Consuelos agreed, saying that at the beginning of their relationship, it often felt like one person loved the other more. “It’s like 65/35, or 67/43,” he said. Ripa confessed that she might love him “a little bit more” now, but she’s happy with how everything is.
What’s Next for the Couple
The couple’s docuseries, Running with the Wolves, which showcases their experience as owners of Campobasso FC, a soccer club in Italy, premieres on Tuesday, July 29 on ESPN and ESPN+.
