Kelly Ripa playfully joked about wanting a “gray divorce” from husband Mark Consuelos after reading a “fascinating” article about rise of breakups in couples over the age 50.
“I started talking to Mark about it, and Mark got very defensive,” the TV host said during “Live with Kelly and Mark” on Friday.
“‘Why are you reading that article?’” she recalled Consuelos asking her.
Ripa, 54, then explained that the story “popped up” on her news feed as she was waiting at the airport for a couple hours. “It was interesting to me,” she said.
The “Live Wire” author further explained that the audio version of the article made the idea of a “gray divorce” sound more intriguing.
“The astonishing rise of the gray divorce,” she said, mimicking the article’s narrator. “And I was like, ‘Oh, I want one!’”
Although Ripa was intrigued by the concept, she acknowledged the “dark subject matter.”
“Like, it sounds like something amazing and then you realize this is very dark subject matter. But the voice of the narrator is so soothing,” she said, per E! News.
The couple — who has been married since 1996 — then assured viewers that they are not headed for Splitsville since they “still have a lot in common.”
After Ripa listed the reasons why older couples tend to divorce — including health issues and empty-nest syndrome — she reassured Consuelos, 53, she would take care of him in any condition.
“You would take care of me though. Change my diapers,” he said, to which the mother of three replied, “Of course, I would!”
She also quipped, “I do it all the time.”
Consuelos and Ripa often share insights from their nearly 30-year marriage on social media and gush over each other for special moments.
Earlier this month, the “Riverdale” alum took to Instagram to share a video montage in honor of his wife’s 54th birthday.
“Happy Birthday Sexy! I’m so glad you were born. What a beautiful sprint around the sun,” Consuelos captioned the post. “The best is yet to come. P.S. I promise not to snore so much this year.”
Ripa and her spouse share three kids: Michael Consuelos, 27, Lola Consuelos, 23, and Joaquin Consuelos, 21.
