Best Photos of Kelly Ripa Through the Years: 1973 to 52nd Birthday

Kelly Ripa is so much more than an iconic TV host and longtime soap star. She’s a doting mom of three to kids Michael, Joaquin, and Lola Consuelos. She’s one-half of Hollywood’s hottest couple. She’s a human beam of sunshine. And today, she’s 52 years old (happy birthday!), marking five decades of Kelly Ripa gold we’ve been granted by this lovable star. Whether you first fell in love with Ripa on All My Children or stumbled across her on Live with Kelly and Ryan, the age of Kelly Ripa’s reign in entertainment is far from over, and we’re so happy to welcome you to the fandom.

So, where do we even begin with the saga that is Ripa? Her first star turn was undoubtedly playing Hayley Vaughan on All My Children, where she also met husband Mark Consuelos. But Ripa truly came into her own when she took over Kathy Lee Gifford’s role on Live!, spending over a decade making talk show history with Regis Philbin. With her girl-next-door charm, feisty, passionate outlook on life, and clear adoration for her tight-knit fam, we can’t help but smile whenever we see Ripa on our screens. Judging by the numbers watching Ripa’s talk shows, we are far from alone.

So, in honor of this American legend’s birthday, we’re taking a look back at her journey to the woman she is today, from her early childhood to making it in NYC, growing a family, and more. Here’s to Kelly Ripa’s best birthday yet!

A version of this story was originally published in 2018.

Throwback
Not exactly sure about the date on this one, but the bangs scream ’80s.
1991
Kelly Ripa was just 21 years old here as she attended the 1991 Daytime Emmys that June.
1991
Ripa back at the beginning of her run on All My Children.
1991
Kelly Ripa was in her element when she played Hayley on All My Children.
1991
She wasn’t afraid to change up her look for her role.
1993
Clearly, she was taking a page out of the Kelly Bundy style book.
1993
What a fashion-forward queen!
1993
With her then-boyfriend, Vincent Young.
1996
On the All My Children set with her husband, Mark Consuelos.
2001
Here’s Ripa with Regis Philbin in one of her first appearances on Live!.
2003
This pic looks like it could have been taken yesterday. Hard to believe it was 13 years ago!
2004
Ripa and her Hope & Faith co-star, Megan Fox, were quite the pair.
2005
The woman knows how to rock the hell of a good tan and the red carpet.
2006
Ripa, looking makeup free and flawless.
2008
Ripa announced the launching of Electrolux’s new collection of premium appliances back in ’08.
2009
With Consuelos in the Hamptons.
2011
We’re kinda thinkin’ that Ripa and Nick Lachey could have been an awesome match up for Live!.
2012
But we’re super going to miss Michael Strahan.
2014
Hey, Ripa, can we borrow that dress?
2015
A family affair! Lola, Michael, and Joaquin are all their to cheer on mom Ripa as she gets her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2016
Ripa and Fred Savage might just be the best Live! mach up yet.
2017
This 2017 Oscars appearance was extra-dramatic as the world waited for Ripa to announce her new Live! co-host.
2017
Kelly and Ryan are in their element as they interview Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
2019
Have you ever seen a more stunning photo? Ripa and Consuelos put us all to shame at the 2019 Academy Awards.
2020
Kelly Ripa was the picture of a Hollywood starlet at the 2020 Oscars in February.
2020
Ripa was perfectly polished in this polka-dot look for “An Evening with Kelly and Ryan” at the Paley Center in NYC.
2022
She looks so happy on her new show Live With Kelly and Ryan!
2022
Along with her game show Generation Gap.
2022
Always catch Kelly Ripa smiling and in polka dots!
2022
Over 25 years later and Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos still can’t keep their hands off of each other.