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Kelly Ripa discusses retirement from Live! ahead of Mark Consuelos' introduction

Live! With Kelly and Mark is about to debut!

kelly ripa, mark consuelos, and ryan seacrest at the 95th academy awards
Ahad Sanwari
Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
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Kelly Ripa opened up in the latest edition of Variety's Power of Women issue about battling sexism in her profession and what it has meant to helm a show as successful as Live! over the years.

After six years of hosting the ABC morning show beside Ryan Seacrest, she will be joined by her husband Mark Consuelos as co-host, her fourth since she began, starting April 15.

WATCH: Mark Consuelos makes debut on Live! after being announced as new host by Kelly Ripa

However, 23 years on, she's also had time to consider leaving the show behind and embarking on other ventures.

The first priority? Some R&R time. "I've never had a year off in my life. The most I've had off is a month, and that's usually been for maternity leave."

MORE: Kelly Ripa flaunts toned abs in bikini while vacationing with husband Mark Consuelos

MORE: Kelly Ripa's husband Mark Consuelos reveals his shocking marriage deal breaker

While she hopes to also continue acting after, the TV veteran expressed interest in working behind the camera on a scripted series, and potentially even grooming the next generation of Live! hosts.

"I don’t want to put a timeline on it," she continued. "But I do believe there is a great opportunity to get two younger people and start training them, because I like seamless transitions. However long it takes to get two people up and ready is how long we'll be there."

kelly ripa and ryan seacrest on live! with kelly and ryan© Getty Images
Ryan will be exiting the show after six seasons

Fans of Kelly and Mark from their All My Children days are already excited to see the duo regularly on screen each morning.

In fact, many voiced that sentiment on a post the Hope and Faith star shared on Instagram as a tribute to her husband on Thursday celebrating his 52nd birthday.

MORE: Kelly Ripa's daughter Lola's honest confession about relationship with famous parents might surprise you

MORE: Kelly Ripa's husband Mark Consuelos shares excitement at becoming a grandad

Kelly included a compilation of memories, spanning his childhood to their soap opera days to their current days as husband and wife and parents to their three children, Michael, Lola, and Joaquin.

"Happy birthday to the love of my life @instasuelos. Celebrating you never gets old," she sweetly wrote, and Mark simply replied: "Thanks babe!!"

View post on Instagram
 

Mark turned 52 like his wife on March 30

A fan commented: "Can't wait to start seeing him on Live! regularly," while another said: "You are very lucky," and a third added: "HBD, can't wait till you's on together."

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