Mark Consuelos might “fall apart” if he and his wife, Kelly Ripa, ever divorced, but he has a collegiate-level backup plan if that sad day ever dawns.

The Live cohost and longtime spouses — who first married 29 years ago after meeting on the set of All My Children — discussed the potential impact of them breaking up after Ripa introduced a talking point about uncoupling on Thursday morning’s show.

After Ripa cited a study that indicated men “place more import on romance and they experience greater mental and physical health benefits from being in a relationship” and “struggle more with the emotional toll of a breakup,” she joked about how her husband of almost three decades might react if they ever parted ways.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos attend Family Equality's Night at the Pier at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers


Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos at Family Equality’s Night at the Pier in New York City in May 2025.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

“I know if you and I broke up, you would absolutely fall apart, completely,” Ripa said, to which Consuelos responded, “That’s true.”

The Live studio audience let out a somber “aww” after Consuelos’ confirmation, though he wasted no time making a few jokes.

“But I do feel like someone would be there on the other end just to pick me up and make sure I’m okay. Pretty sure,” Consuelos said as the crowd laughed.

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The actor continued with another quip, telling Ripa, “I’d have to get used to their college schedule and all that stuff.”

Ripa laughed before telling him, “Oh my God. Oh, dear God, I hope I live to see your second wife!”

She added that the pair often rib each other about a potential breakup, and that Consuelos often counters her comedy with a playful jab about getting a second wife in her absence.

Ripa and Consuelos first married in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas in May 1996, though Wendy Williams broke news of their union after the pair tried to keep it secret for months.

“Our secret wedding, discovered by none other than Wendy Williams. True facts, I’m not kidding,” Ripa explained in February 2024, noting that the couple traveled to the Clark County courthouse to get a marriage license, where an eyewitness saw them and leaked the news to Williams when the latter was a prominent figure on New York City gossip radio.

Live With Kelly & Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for showtimes in your area.