Let me tell you about someone you may not know much about—Kelly Ripa's only sibling, Linda Ripa. Sure, Kelly often shares stories from her life on Live With Kelly and Ryan, but she doesn’t talk much about her sister. And honestly, there’s a reason for that. Linda’s story is one of incredible strength and heartbreak, and it’s something that has deeply shaped Kelly’s outlook on life.
Introducing Linda Ripa: The Woman Behind the Name
Born in 1972, Linda Ripa came into this world just two years after her big sister, Kelly. The two were raised together in New Jersey, not too far from where Kelly now works in New York City. Growing up, they shared the same household, the same parents—Esther and Joseph Ripa—and the same dreams of making something of themselves. In fact, Joseph Ripa once took to Facebook to celebrate his daughter Linda with a heartfelt message: “Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter Linda!! As my second-born, she arrived at 4:11 a.m. on this date in 1972 and has continued to make her mother and I very proud.”
Interestingly enough, both sisters found success in their respective creative fields. Linda wrote and illustrated a charming children’s book called The Lady Bug Blues, published back in 2002. Meanwhile, Kelly took her own path as an author, releasing her debut book, Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories, in 2022. It’s a reminder that while their lives have taken different turns, their creative spirits remain strong.
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A Tragic Turn of Events: The Accident That Changed Everything
In 1999, Linda's life took an unimaginable turn. Seven months into her pregnancy, she was driving around Pennsylvania, running errands like any expectant mother might do. But that day, her routine trip turned into a nightmare when a drunk driver slammed into her car head-on. The impact was devastating—Linda suffered multiple broken bones, and her unborn child went into a coma inside her womb because of the severe damage to her pelvis. Against all odds, Linda delivered her son, Sergio-Giuseppe Ripa, seven weeks early.
But the challenges didn’t stop there. Due to the extensive injuries she sustained in the crash, Linda required numerous surgeries and faced long-term health complications. This is where Esther and Joseph stepped in, becoming primary caregivers for Linda and her newborn son. Kelly has spoken openly about how her mother became a dedicated nurse to her sister, ensuring Linda received the care she needed every single day. In 2001, Kelly told the New York Post, “My mother is a 24-hour-a-day nurse to my sister.”
Before the accident, Linda had dreams of pursuing a career in acting and modeling. However, the tragedy altered the course of her life forever. Kelly once explained, “She will never, ever know a normal life again. And there’s nothing they can do.” Despite everything, Linda remains an integral part of Kelly’s family, being the beloved aunt to Kelly’s three children—Michael, Lola, and Joaquin, whom she shares with her husband, Mark Consuelos.
Kelly's Reflection on Life's Priorities
Kelly often credits her sister’s struggles with helping her stay grounded and appreciate what truly matters. In an interview with Hello! Magazine, she revealed, “Every day of my life that I feel like I’m going to complain about something small, minute, I think of my sister. And it makes you appreciate what’s important in life.” She added, “We, Mark and me, have three beautiful, healthy kids and if everything we’ve achieved together disappeared tomorrow, we would still have three healthy, beautiful kids. And who could ask for anything more than that?”
Who Is Sergio-Giuseppe Ripa, Kelly's Nephew?
Fast forward to 2021, Kelly shared a rare glimpse of her nephew Sergio-Giuseppe Ripa on Instagram to celebrate his birthday. Now grown up, Sergio is a talented musician who frequently posts videos of himself playing the guitar and sharing updates about his band’s performances on his Instagram account. It’s clear that despite the challenges he faced early in life, Sergio has found his passion and is thriving in his own unique way.
