Saul Consuelos was the Mexican-born, U.S. Navy veteran father of television host Mark Consuelos, and his life story became public knowledge after his death on March 23, 2026, at the age of 87. He immigrated to the United States as a teenager, served his adopted country for 30 years in the Navy, and built a family life centered on education, hard work, and devotion to his loved ones. His son Mark, co-host of Live with Kelly and Mark, announced his passing on April 6, 2026, with an emotional tribute. Kelly Ripa called Saul “the greatest person I’ve ever known.” This article explores Saul Consuelos’ life, military career, family, and lasting legacy.
Saul Consuelos Biography
| Biography Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Saul Consuelos |
| Known For | Father of actor and television host Mark Consuelos |
| Birthplace | Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican-American |
| Wife | Camilla Consuelos |
| Children | Three, including Mark Consuelos |
| Military Service | United States Navy |
| Years of Service | 30 years |
| Military Role | Served at U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa |
| Education | Earned a master’s degree while serving in the Navy |
| Grandchildren | Michael, Lola, and Joaquin Consuelos |
| Date of Death | March 23, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 87 |
| Cause of Death | Long illness |
| Legacy | Remembered for his military service, education, family devotion, and influence on Mark Consuelos |
Who Was Saul Consuelos?
Saul Consuelos was a Mexican immigrant who built a remarkable life in the United States through three decades of military service, continuous education, and deep devotion to his family.
He was the father of Mark Consuelos, the co-host of Live with Kelly and Mark, and the husband of Camilla Consuelos, who is Italian. Saul passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, after a long illness, and his son announced the news on the April 6 episode of the talk show.
Mark described his father as “such a fascinating man” and repeatedly emphasized that everything good in his own character came from Saul’s example. Kelly Ripa, Mark’s wife and co-host, called Saul “the greatest person I’ve ever known” and said she would miss him every day for the rest of her life.
Saul Consuelos’ Early Life and Immigration from Mexico
Saul Consuelos immigrated to the United States from Mexico in his early teens, a journey that Mark Consuelos described as the foundation of his father’s American dream.
He came here from Mexico in his early teens, he immigrated here from Mexico, Mark said during the April 6 broadcast, adding that his father “loved this country so much.
Mark also stated that if anyone wanted to put a face to an immigrant, Saul would be “the prime example of what this country promises people.” This immigrant journey was not just a biographical detail but a central part of how Mark framed his father’s identity and contributions to his adopted nation.
Saul Consuelos’ 30-Year Career in the U.S. Navy
Saul Consuelos served his adopted country for 30 years in the United States Navy, a career that Mark Consuelos highlighted as proof of his father’s dedication and love for America.
“He served his country for 30 years,” Mark said on Live with Kelly and Mark, explaining that his father “ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa.”
Mark also noted that Saul “got his education from the Navy” and “was always going to school,” eventually earning a master’s degree while Mark was a child. This combination of military service and academic achievement became a defining theme in how the Consuelos family remembered Saul’s life.
Service with Special Operations Command in Tampa
Saul Consuelos concluded his distinguished naval career at the U.S. Special Operations Command headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
Mark Consuelos described how his father, a young kid from Mexico, rose to serve in this critical command, which he called a testament to Saul’s brilliance and determination.
The Tampa post represented the culmination of three decades of service that began when Saul joined the Navy as a teenager after immigrating from Mexico. This detail became one of the most frequently cited facts about Saul in news coverage following his death.
Saul Consuelos and Camilla: Marriage and Family Life
Saul Consuelos was married to Camilla Consuelos, an Italian woman who raised their children partly in her home country and remained his devoted partner until his death.
Mark Consuelos was born in March 1971 to Saul and Camilla, and the couple built a family that included Mark and his two siblings.
Kelly Ripa revealed that after Saul’s passing, the family focused on supporting Camilla, and they were trying to convince her to move from Florida to New York to be closer to them. Ripa also shared that she felt “lucky to call [Camilla] my mother in law” and that the two women had a close relationship over the years.
Meet Saul Consuelos’ Children: A Look at His Family Life
Meet Mark Consuelos’ Children: A Look at His Family Life, Mark Consuelos, the actor known for All My Children and Riverdale, shares three now-adult children with his wife and Live co-host Kelly Ripa:
eldest son Michael, born in 1997, daughter Lola, born in 2001, and youngest son Joaquin, born in 2003. Michael has followed his parents into acting and also works in TV production, while Lola pursued music production at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and later launched a career as a singer-songwriter, and Joaquin, the family’s sports enthusiast, has been known for his passion for wrestling.
From their early years growing up in the spotlight to their individual careers today, the Consuelos-Ripa children continue to give fans a glimpse into the close-knit family’s life on and off screen.
Saul Consuelos as a Father to Mark Consuelos
Saul Consuelos was a hands-on teacher to his son Mark, using everyday moments to impart practical skills and life lessons that Mark still uses today.
“If you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch,” Mark joked during the April 6 broadcast, capturing his father’s thorough and instructive nature.
Mark recalled that “if he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it,” adding that he “didn’t know at the time why he was doing that” but now realizes it was to teach him self-reliance. Kelly Ripa noted that “of all the good things that I love about you, I loved those same things about your dad,” directly linking Mark’s character to Saul’s influence.
Saul Consuelos’ Role as a Grandfather
Saul Consuelos was a deeply involved grandfather to Mark and Kelly’s three children Michael, Lola, and Joaquin and his death marked the first major loss they had ever experienced.
Kelly Ripa explained to viewers that their children “took it particularly hard” because “this is their first loss that they’ve ever experienced in their lives.”
She also shared that Saul would come on remote trips to take care of the kids so she could work, and he would even attend school events while Mark was filming out of the country. “I keep explaining to my kids how lucky they were,” Ripa said, noting that they still had three grandparents and the chance to have “deep, meaningful conversations” with Saul.
Saul Consuelos’ Death: Date, Cause, and Announcement
Saul Consuelos passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, at the age of 87, following a long illness, and his son Mark announced the death on the April 6 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.
Mark opened the broadcast by saying, “Two weeks ago today, my father passed away after a long bout with illness. He passed away peacefully.”
The announcement was an emotional moment for both Mark and Kelly Ripa, who struggled to maintain composure as they shared the news with their audience. Saul’s death came after what Mark later described as a “brutal five-month saga” leading up to his passing.
Mark Consuelos’ Emotional Tribute on Live With Kelly and Mark
Mark Consuelos delivered a heartfelt tribute to his father on the April 6 broadcast, calling Saul such a fascinating man and reflecting on the lessons he learned from him. He’s like the best man I’ve ever met, Mark said, adding that everything good that I’ve kind of glommed on to of how I carry myself comes from him.
Mark also revealed that he was able to say goodbye to his father while rehearsing for his Broadway debut in Fallen Angels, and he described the play as “a welcome distraction” from his grief. “I knew I had to keep on going, especially during that time,” he explained, adding, “I know he’s there watching and he’s able to be part of it.”
Kelly Ripa’s Tribute to Saul Consuelos
Kelly Ripa gave an emotional tribute to her father-in-law, calling Saul “the greatest person I’ve ever known” and saying she would miss him every day for the rest of her life. “I only got to know my father-in-law for 31 years, but they were the best 31 years of my life,” Ripa said during the broadcast.
She also told Mark, “You have been blessed more because you knew him your whole life,” and described Saul as “so symbolic of everything you are.” Ripa’s tribute was notable for its specificity and warmth, as she credited Saul with shaping the qualities she loves most in her husband.
The “Brutal Five-Month Saga”: Mark Consuelos on His Father’s Final Illness
Mark Consuelos later described the five months leading up to his father’s death as “a brutal five-month saga” during an appearance on the I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario podcast.
“I knew it was happening when I saw him,” Mark said, explaining that the family knew “this is going to happen whether it takes a year or two years.”
He “prayed for a merciful exit” for his father, whom he called a “mythical character” in his life, and was grateful that Saul’s passing was “very quick and painless” and “so merciful.” Mark also shared a painful realization: “I’m going to miss my dad,” he said, noting that he had never said those words before because “he’s always been in my life.”
Saul Consuelos’ Funeral and Memorial Service
Saul Consuelos was honored with a celebration of life memorial on April 27, 2026, featuring a Mexican ofrenda and a mariachi band, bringing the entire Consuelos family together.
Mark Consuelos shared details of the memorial during his podcast interview, describing how “the reality of him being gone hit, of him actually being gone” during the gathering.
The ofrenda and mariachi band were meaningful cultural touches that reflected Saul’s Mexican heritage and the family’s desire to honor his roots. Mark also expressed that although he feels his father’s presence “so much on me,” he will miss “giving him a hug or holding his hand or just laughing with him.”
The Legacy of Saul Consuelos
Saul Consuelos left behind a legacy defined by service, education, and family devotion, and his son Mark has repeatedly said that his father’s example is the foundation of his own character.
Mark described Saul as a man who “never stopped learning and growing,” a value he passed on to his children, and Kelly Ripa called Mark and his siblings their father’s “living legacy.”
Mark also emphasized that his father “loved his country so much” and represented “the prime example of what this country promises people” as an immigrant who served for 30 years. The Consuelos family’s ongoing efforts to support Camilla, Saul’s wife of many decades, reflect the enduring closeness that defined Saul’s life.
What Mark Consuelos Has Said About His Father’s Influence
Mark Consuelos has consistently credited his father with shaping his practical skills, his work ethic, and his character, often using humor to illustrate Saul’s thorough approach to teaching.
“I do everything the way he did it,” Mark said during the April 6 tribute, explaining that he learned “the most by just watching him.”
He also noted that his father’s insistence on making him watch household repairs was frustrating at the time but proved invaluable later in life. Mark’s most poignant reflection came during his podcast interview: “He’s like the best man I’ve ever met,” he said, adding that “everything good that I’ve kind of glommed on to of how I carry myself comes from him.”
Conclusion: Remembering Saul Consuelos
Saul Consuelos lived a life that embodied the American immigrant story—arriving from Mexico as a teenager, serving his adopted country for 30 years in the Navy, earning a master’s degree, and raising a family that adored him.
His son Mark Consuelos, one of daytime television’s most recognizable hosts, has made it clear that his father was the single greatest influence on his life, calling Saul “the best man I’ve ever met.”
Kelly Ripa’s tribute—”the greatest person I’ve ever known”—captured the depth of loss felt by the entire family, including grandchildren Michael, Lola, and Joaquin, for whom Saul was a constant, loving presence. As Mark continues to grieve, he has also expressed gratitude for the time he had with his father and the lessons that remain with him every day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saul Consuelos
How old was Saul Consuelos when he died?
Saul Consuelos was 87 years old when he passed away on March 23, 2026. Multiple news outlets, including the Daily Mail, confirmed his age at the time of death, noting that he had been battling a long illness.
What did Saul Consuelos do for a living?
Saul Consuelos served in the United States Navy for 30 years, ultimately reaching a position at the Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida. After immigrating from Mexico as a teenager, he joined the Navy and earned his education through the military, including a master’s degree that he completed while Mark was a child.
Where was Saul Consuelos born?
Saul Consuelos was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States in his early teens. Mark Consuelos shared this detail during the April 6 broadcast, saying, “He came here from Mexico in his early teens, he immigrated here from Mexico.”
Was Saul Consuelos a U.S. Navy veteran?
Yes, Saul Consuelos was a proud U.S. Navy veteran who served his country for 30 years, including a role at the Special Operations Command in Tampa. Mark Consuelos described his father as someone who “loved his country so much” and said that if anyone wanted to put a face to an immigrant, Saul would be “the prime example of what this country promises people.”
