Kelly Ripa Goes Nude in New Empty Nest Era
Kelly Ripa speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, 2018. Photo by Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Kelly Ripa is baring it all — literally and figuratively. With her youngest off to college and her luxurious $27 million Manhattan townhouse now blissfully quiet, the TV queen of mornings is living her best life. And she's not afraid to admit that life as an empty nester comes with some spicy side benefits.
"Your entire life becomes nudity in the household wherever you want," she joked, sitting beside husband and co-host Mark Consuelos during a candid chat on "Live With Kelly and Mark," as reported by PEOPLE.
From Mom Mode to 'Total Freak Show'
The couple's youngest son, Joaquin, 22, recently graduated from the University of Michigan, officially making the longtime TV duo empty nesters. And while there was a brief emotional adjustment, Ripa says the shock wears off fast.
"The first one is like a bit of a shock. Each one, like the second one, is like, no big deal. Third one, for 24 to 48 hours, you're going to be like, 'Oh, my gosh, what have we done now? Now it's just us,'" she said, according to PEOPLE.
Then? Liberation. Or in her words, "Total freak show all the time."
High-End Comfort in a $27 Million Home
Ripa's not just talking figuratively. The freedom she and Consuelos now enjoy includes roaming their Manhattan townhouse in the buff whenever they please.
And this isn't just any house. It's a sprawling, art deco-infused dream home the couple transformed in 2013 with the help of designers William Sofield and Emma O'Neill. The space was customized with vintage Parisian flea market finds, a statement gold-leaf bedroom wall, and even hidden TVs in mirrored panels.
"I don't want to sound morbid, but they'll have to carry me out of here feet first because I have gotten good and comfortable in this house," Ripa said, according to Realtor.com.
A Graduation to Remember
Joaquin's graduation was a major milestone for the family. "We just returned from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where our newborn baby graduated university. That's right, we're done!" Ripa declared on air, according to PEOPLE.
The celebration spanned several days, starting with a theater department showcase where Joaquin performed, followed by a visit from daughter Lola, 23, who flew in from London to join the festivities. Big brother Michael, 27, was also present for photos — even if, as Ripa joked, the family was "just going through the motions at this point."
A Home Full of Memories
Despite the raunchy jokes, Ripa's love for her kids and her home radiates. She and Consuelos have kept their children's rooms untouched and designed their home as a tribute to family, from custom storage cabinets for sports gear to pastel artwork gifted by Gloria Vanderbilt.
Even the couple's hallway art — depictions of their kids' eyes — reminds them of the children who once filled their house.
"They don't live here anymore," Consuelos said, according to Realtor.com. But when they leave their bedroom and lay eyes on their children's eyes, he said, "it feels like they're still with us."
A New Chapter, Same Spark
After nearly 30 years of marriage, Ripa and Consuelos are proving that life after kids isn't just peaceful — it's thrilling. Their playful chemistry, both on and off screen, has made their syndicated show must-watch TV, and their willingness to share the unfiltered details of their private life keeps audiences coming back.
"We live well together," Ripa said simply, according to Realtor.com.
And if that life includes morning shows, Parisian mirrors, and the freedom to be nude in your kitchen at noon — well, who wouldn't want to tune in?
References: Kelly Ripa Shares How Life at Home Changes as an Empty Nester: 'Nudity in the Household Whenever You Want' | Kelly Ripa Reveals Raunchy Ways She and Mark Consuelos Embraced Empty Nester Status at $27 Million Home: 'Nudity ... Wherever You Want'
