Entertainment TV Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Call 'Live' Her 'Fancy Job' Because It's When She Started Out-Earning Him Kelly Ripa says Mark Consuelos earned more money than her throughout their time costarring on All My Children By Dory Jackson Dory Jackson Instagram Twitter Website Dory Jackson is an Associate Editor for PEOPLE's digital TV team. While at the brand, she's had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She also recaps popular TV shows like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules.The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus in Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. She also previously co-hosted a podcast called "Idol Nation." People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 29, 2023 03:31 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Kelly Ripa is footloose and earning a "fancy" fee now. The Live co-host has opened up about earning less than Mark Consuelos when they were costars on All My Children. "He was paid far more than I was paid. Always," Ripa, 52, said of Consuelos, 51, in her cover story interview for Variety's The Power of Woman Issue. "And he started years after I started. It wasn't until I got what we call my 'fancy job' that I started actually earning more money than him." The TV personality continued, "We have been together so long that it's always been collective money. We are very much old-fashioned in that sense." Kelly Ripa on Her Complicated Relationship with Regis Philbin: 'There Were Good and Bad Days' And though Ripa upped her earnings with the Live gig, the pay disparity continued on that show as well. For her part, Ripa said she doesn't "blame the fellas" she hosted with — including late former co-host Regis Philbin; instead, she believes that "the network had a duty and an obligation to keep all things equal." "[My male co-hosts] were just doing what they had been told, or what they were instructed to do, or what they thought they deserved," she said. "Having said that, I go out of my way to protect the people I'm working with at any and all costs, even if it means that I am not as popular." Ann Limongello/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Eugene Gologursky/Getty for Haute Living Ripa says she finally started earning a salary she deemed fair when her bosses at ABC realized her contract was up and that she could leave the show. "I don't think they wanted to pay me," she said. "I think they had to pay me." She continued, "I was trying to walk out the door and close it behind me. And I think they really figured out rapidly that they had screwed up in a major way, and it was not a good look. I think that was really the impetus behind paying me fairly. They had no choice." Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' All My Children Throwback Photos Ripa and Consuelous met on the All My Children set when she played Hayley Vaughan and he portrayed Mateo Santos. Their working relationship quickly turned romantic, and they got married in 1996. They're now parents to three kids: Michael, 25, Lola, 21, and Joaquin, 20. As for their professional lives, Consuelos is joining Ripa on Live as Ryan Seacrest's replacement, beginning April 17. "This is going to be amazing!" the Riverdale actor wrote on Instagram, reacting to the news. "I can't believe after all these years of listening to you talk for free, I found a way to get paid for it. Is this a great country or what? ❤️" Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Live with Kelly and Ryan airs weekdays (check local listings).