When Kelly Ripa posts photos of her father-in-law on Veterans Day, thousands of fans notice something striking—Saul Consuelos looks exactly like his famous son. But there’s more to this 87-year-old Navy veteran than his resemblance to Mark Consuelos. Born in Mexico in 1938, Saul built a life that blends military service, immigrant determination, and quiet family values. His story matters because it shows the foundation behind celebrity success—the kind that doesn’t seek cameras or interviews.
Quick Reference: Saul Consuelos
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Isaul “Saul” Consuelos Resendiz |
| Born | 1938, Mexico |
| Age | 87 years old (2025) |
| Spouse | Camilla De Micheli (married 50+ years) |
| Children | Mark Consuelos (actor), son (doctor), daughter (lawyer) |
| Military Service | U.S. Navy veteran |
| Father | Miguel Consuelos Trejo |
| Nickname | “Tony” (used by Kelly Ripa) |
Who Is Saul Consuelos?
Saul Consuelos is Mark Consuelos’ father and a former U.S. Navy serviceman. He was born Isaul Consuelos Resendiz in Mexico, where his father Miguel Consuelos Trejo raised him with values that would later shape an entire family line. Now 87, Saul lives a private life despite his son’s television career and daughter-in-law Kelly Ripa’s fame.
People search for Saul mainly because of his connection to Mark and Kelly. When Kelly shares throwback photos on Instagram showing the father-son resemblance, fans want to know more about the man who raised the “Live with Kelly and Mark” co-host. Saul’s presence appears in birthday tributes and Veterans Day posts, but he maintains no social media accounts himself. This privacy makes him different from other celebrity parents who build careers around their children’s fame.
Early Life and Mexican Heritage
Mexico in 1938 looked different than today. Saul grew up with his father Miguel in an era when crossing into the United States meant starting over completely. His Mexican roots became a core part of his family’s cultural identity, even as they moved through different countries.
Mark Consuelos often talks about feeling caught between two worlds—not Mexican enough, not Italian enough. That tension started with Saul’s heritage meeting Camilla’s Italian background. The family spoke Italian at home instead of Spanish, which created an unusual dynamic. Saul’s Mexican culture stayed present through food, values, and the immigrant mentality that pushed the family toward achievement.
Leaving Mexico took courage. Saul joined millions who believed America offered better chances for their kids. That immigrant drive—working harder because you had to prove yourself—shows up clearly in Mark’s career. The son learned from the father that comfort comes from effort, not luck.
Military Service in the U.S. Navy
Saul served his adopted country through the U.S. Navy. Kelly Ripa honors this service every Veterans Day, posting black-and-white photos of Saul in uniform alongside her own father Joe Ripa, who served in the Army. In one post, she wrote: “These two young men served in the Army and Navy and grew up to be husbands, fathers, grandfathers and American patriots.”
Military life teaches structure and commitment. Those lessons shaped how Saul approached fatherhood later. Mark credits his father with teaching him the most valuable principle: being present when your children need you. That focus on availability—showing up instead of making excuses—likely came from the discipline Navy service demanded.
Veterans like Saul represent a generation that served without expecting recognition. He doesn’t talk publicly about his military years, but his family’s annual tributes keep that chapter visible. The duty and honor from those years influenced how he built his household after leaving service.
Marriage to Camilla De Micheli
Camilla De Micheli was born September 20, 1940, in Tripoli, Libya, which was then an Italian colony. Her parents Giuseppe De Micheli and Anselmina came from Baveno in Piedmont, Italy. When she met Saul, their union created something uncommon—a household where Mexican heritage met Italian tradition.
The marriage worked because both parents committed to their children’s success more than to cultural competition. They spoke Italian at home, lived in multiple countries, and raised three kids who all earned professional degrees. That takes partnership, not just romance.
Kelly Ripa calls Saul “Tony,” a nickname that shows real affection. She shares throwback photos of Saul and Camilla regularly, treating them like family celebrities even though they avoid public attention. The warm relationship between daughter-in-law and father-in-law matters because it reveals Saul’s character—he earned that respect through decades of steady presence.
Moving from Spain to Italy to Illinois to Florida required both parents to sacrifice stability for opportunity. Most marriages don’t survive that kind of upheaval. After 50-plus years together, Saul and Camilla prove that shared values outlast comfort.
Fatherhood and Raising Three Accomplished Children
Saul and Camilla raised three children who took completely different paths. Their oldest son became a doctor. Their daughter chose law. Mark, born March 30, 1971, in Zaragoza, Spain, ended up in entertainment. The fact that all three succeeded professionally says everything about how their parents approached education.
When Mark attended Notre Dame University but wanted to transfer, Saul insisted he finish with a practical degree. “My dad said, ‘go get a business degree,'” Mark recalled. That’s pragmatic parenting—making sure your kid has a safety net before chasing dreams.
But Saul also showed flexibility. When Mark graduated with a marketing degree and announced he wanted to act instead, his parents “didn’t freak out at all.” They’d already watched two children follow traditional paths. Maybe that gave them confidence to support Mark’s unconventional choice.
The lesson Saul repeated most often? “Always being there is the one constant thing that I remember about my father,” Mark said. Being present, accessible, and supportive—that’s harder than it sounds. Most parents make excuses. Saul rejected excuses for availability.
The Consuelos Family Moves: From Spain to America
Mark was born in Zaragoza, Spain, in 1971. Shortly after, the family moved to Italy, settling in regions like Sardinia and Puglia for about five years. Those Italian years shaped Mark’s early childhood. He learned Italian first, absorbing his mother’s culture while his father quietly maintained their Mexican heritage.
Political violence in Italy during the mid-1970s changed everything. Saul decided his family needed stability and safety more than familiarity. They moved to Lebanon, Illinois, where five-year-old Mark spoke only Italian. He learned English by watching American TV—including “All My Children,” the soap opera that would later launch his career.
At 16, Mark moved again when the family relocated to Tampa, Florida. He finished high school at Bloomingdale High in Valrico. Each move required Saul to find new work, build new connections, and create stability from scratch. That kind of adaptability doesn’t come naturally. It’s earned through necessity and determination.
These transitions taught the children resilience. When you’ve lived in four countries by age 16, you learn to adjust quickly. You stop fearing change and start viewing it as normal. Saul gave his kids that gift—not through comfort, but through controlled disruption.
Parenting Philosophy: Being Present and Available
Saul’s core belief came down to presence over presents. “The biggest lesson Mark learned from his dad growing up was just to be there for the people he cares about,” one source noted. In a culture that values productivity and career advancement, Saul chose differently. He showed up.
“It’s easy to make up excuses for not being there,” the principle suggests. Work deadlines, financial pressure, personal stress—plenty of valid reasons exist to miss your kid’s events or be mentally absent at dinner. Saul rejected those excuses. His military background taught discipline, but he applied that discipline to fatherhood instead of using career demands as permission to disappear.
Mark now uses the same approach with his own children. “I go to my dad for advice on all things,” Mark’s son Michael said. “If I ever have like a bad idea, or an idea that I think might be a bad idea I think, ‘would my dad do this?'” That’s multigenerational influence—values passing through family lines because they worked.
When fathers show up consistently, children internalize that availability as normal. They expect it from themselves later. Saul created a pattern that his grandchildren now benefit from, even though they’ll never serve in the Navy or immigrate from Mexico.
Saul Consuelos and Kelly Ripa: A Father-in-Law Relationship
Kelly married Mark in May 1996, bringing her into a family where warmth mattered more than formality. She started calling Saul “Tony,” a nickname that stuck. When she posts about him on Veterans Day or birthdays, she uses that name, showing the informal comfort between them.
Ripa regularly shares vintage photos of Saul, including images that highlight how much Mark looks like his father. In one viral post, she compared 1966 photos of Saul to present-day Mark, noting that “daddy doesn’t fall far from the tree.” These posts don’t just show physical similarities—they celebrate family continuity and inherited qualities.
Family gatherings documented on social media often include both Saul and Camilla. Whether holidays or casual events, Saul remains engaged with his grandchildren rather than becoming a distant elder. Kelly’s public affection for her in-laws reveals something important—Saul earned that respect through decades of consistent character, not through fame or connections.
Grandfather to Michael, Lola, and Joaquin Consuelos
Saul’s three grandchildren—Michael (born 1997), Lola (born 2001), and Joaquin (born 2003)—know him as an active presence rather than a distant grandfather. Family vacations bring the extended family together regularly. Michael mentioned seeing “my grandfather” during trips, showing ongoing relationships across generations.
The physical resemblance continues through the grandsons. Kelly posted a striking photo featuring Saul, Mark, Michael, and Joaquin—four generations of Consuelos men with nearly identical features. That visual continuity serves as a reminder that family characteristics persist beyond one lifetime.
As Mark and Kelly parent their own children, Saul’s example guides their approach. His philosophy of availability became their template. Values pass through families when children see them working, not when parents preach them. Saul demonstrated rather than lectured, and three generations benefited.
The Physical Resemblance Between Father and Son
The similarity between Saul and Mark became a family talking point, especially when Kelly started sharing comparison photos. Side-by-side images of young Saul from the 1960s next to present-day Mark show nearly identical facial features, particularly when both sport mustaches.
“You know my dad had a mustache,” Mark explained on “Live with Kelly and Mark.” “And he still does. Growing up, I think I just associated a mustache with my dad.” That connection between father and son extends beyond genetics—the mustache became a symbol of paternal influence and masculine identity within the family.
Photos of Saul from 60 years ago could pass for current Mark photos. When Mark looks in the mirror, he literally sees his father reflected back. That’s a powerful reinforcement of heritage and inherited identity. The Consuelos grandsons inherited these same features, creating four-generation visual continuity that Kelly documents through carefully composed family photos.
Life at 87: Saul Consuelos Today
Saul turned 87 in 2025, maintaining his health well enough to participate in family gatherings and celebrations. While specific details about his retirement years stay private, social media posts confirm he remains active in family life. Birthday tributes show well-wishers commenting on posts, suggesting Saul keeps a beloved place within his extended family circle.
Unlike many celebrity relatives who use family connections for personal fame, Saul maintains deliberate privacy. He doesn’t run public social media accounts or give interviews about his famous son. This distance from the spotlight reflects either personal preference or humble recognition that Mark’s achievements belong to Mark alone.
His marriage to Camilla has lasted over five decades, surviving international moves, the challenges of raising children across cultures, and the pressures that come when your child becomes famous. That marital longevity represents its own achievement in an era of frequent divorce.
How Saul Consuelos Influenced Mark’s Career and Values
Saul never worked in entertainment, but his influence on Mark’s career runs deep. The work ethic, discipline, and commitment Mark brings to his professional life trace directly to values Saul instilled during childhood.
When Mark considered leaving Notre Dame, Saul insisted he complete his education—demonstrating a belief in finishing what you start. When Mark graduated but wanted to act instead of using his marketing degree, Saul supported that choice—showing he valued his son’s happiness over conventional success. That balance between pushing for achievement and supporting individual paths represents sophisticated parenting.
The immigrant mentality Saul brought from Mexico showed up in Mark’s drive. “There was always very, you know, that was kind of like the—it was unsaid, but that’s what we did,” Mark explained about family expectations. Saul didn’t need to explicitly demand success. His own example of building a life in a new country set the standard.
Mark’s approach to fame also reflects Saul’s influence. Despite achieving celebrity status, Mark maintains strong family bonds, visits his parents regularly, and includes them in his children’s lives. He hasn’t let fame create distance from his roots—a choice that speaks to the family values Saul modeled.
The Mexican-Italian Heritage of the Consuelos Family
Saul’s Mexican heritage combined with Camilla’s Italian roots created a unique household that profoundly shaped their children’s identities. This cultural intersection brought both richness and complexity.
“I’m half Mexican, half Italian,” Mark told Teen Vogue. “So, I was always in this neverland of… I wasn’t really ‘Mexican enough;’ I wasn’t really ‘Italian enough.’ It wasn’t until I got a little bit older that it really dug in.” That statement reveals the challenging position children of mixed heritage occupy—belonging fully to neither culture while being shaped by both.
Language choices reflected this cultural tension. Despite Saul’s Mexican heritage, the family spoke Italian instead of Spanish at home. This decision meant Mark grew up speaking his mother’s language while unable to speak his father’s. “Although he was born in Spain, he does not speak Spanish. He speaks Italian,” his biography notes.
Yet Saul’s Mexican heritage remained essential to family identity. When Mark served as Grand Marshal for the East L.A. Mexican Independence Day Parade, he embraced his father’s cultural legacy despite not speaking Spanish. “I had a fantastic time celebrating the richness of Mexican culture with everyone today,” Mark shared, demonstrating that cultural connection transcends language.
Saul Consuelos: The Quiet Strength Behind a Famous Family
Saul represents a different type of celebrity parent—one who stays deliberately private despite access to spotlight. He maintains no public social media presence and doesn’t appear on talk shows to discuss his famous son. He skips red carpet events and generally stays out of entertainment industry circles despite Mark’s decades-long career.
This privacy contrasts sharply with parents like Kris Jenner, who built an empire managing her children’s careers. Saul’s approach suggests either fundamental discomfort with attention or philosophical belief that his son’s achievements belong to Mark alone.
The few public glimpses of Saul come through Kelly Ripa’s social media—tributes on Veterans Day, birthday celebrations, family photos showcasing resemblances. Even in these appearances, Saul remains a figure rather than a personality, seen but not heard, honored but not interviewed.
This restraint represents the ultimate gift a parent can give a famous child: space to succeed without parental interference or competition. By remaining in the background, Saul allowed Mark to build his own identity rather than always being defined as “Saul Consuelos’ son.”
Saul Consuelos embodies a particular American narrative—the immigrant who serves his adopted country, builds a bicultural family, and raises accomplished children while remaining deliberately out of the spotlight. At 87 years old in 2025, his life represents values increasingly rare in a culture obsessed with visibility and fame.
His legacy lives not in public achievements or professional accolades but in three successful children, a decades-long marriage, and a parenting philosophy centered on presence rather than presents. The physical resemblance between Saul, Mark, and the Consuelos grandsons creates visible continuity that extends beyond genetics. Each generation carries forward not just features but values—the importance of family, the commitment to presence, the balance between achievement and authenticity.
As Kelly Ripa noted in a birthday tribute to Camilla, Saul is part of the foundation that “started this whole thing.” The “whole thing” being not just Mark’s career or the family’s success, but a multigenerational commitment to values that transcend fame or fortune. The measure of a man’s life isn’t found in fame but in family—in children who succeed, marriages that endure, and values that persist across generations. By that measure, Saul Consuelos’ life represents not just success but significance.
