Kelly Ripa Reflects Emotionally on Her Birthday While Mourning Beloved Teacher Who Impacted Son Joaquin Consuelos

Kelly Ripa Reflects Emotionally on Her Birthday While Mourning Beloved Teacher Who Impacted Son Joaquin Consuelos

Kelly Ripa Reflects Emotionally on Her Birthday While Mourning Beloved Teacher Who Impacted Son Joaquin Consuelos

Kelly Ripa marked her 54th birthday with a heartfelt tribute to a remarkable educator who profoundly influenced her son, Joaquin Consuelos. The emotional moment unfolded on Live with Kelly and Mark as Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, celebrated her special day, but the tone quickly shifted when Ripa learned of the passing of Yvette Siegel-Herzog, who died at the age of 100 just a day earlier.

Ripa shared her feelings of being “crushed” by the news, admitting, “I didn’t want to come to work today.” As she recalled Siegel-Herzog’s impactful role in her family’s life, tears filled her eyes. “There are certain people who enter your life and change it for the better in ways that seem significant at the time,” she said. “But then you look back ten years later and realize the tremendous impact this woman had on us and our family.”

Siegel-Herzog was a co-founder of the Stephen Gaynor School, dedicated to supporting children with language-based learning disabilities. Ripa revealed that Joaquin attended the school until eighth grade, recounting how she first approached Siegel-Herzog during a particularly challenging time regarding her son’s education. “That’s how she met me. I think I was crying in her office. She was such a special, enlightening, and empowering presence in our lives,” Ripa recalled, sharing a touching photo of Siegel-Herzog embracing Joaquin at his eighth-grade graduation.

“She worked tirelessly and lived an incredible life. We lost her yesterday at 100,” Ripa continued, noting that Joaquin, now a college student in Michigan, maintains excellent grades due to Siegel-Herzog’s influence. “I was really, really crushed. I think about all the generations of kids she impacted and how much they’ve come to love learning because of her. I thank her, and may her legacy endure for many lifetimes.”

Siegel-Herzog’s obituary described her as a “visionary educator” in New York City, commending her for creating opportunities for both students and teachers. “Yvette was a trailblazer in education, whose vision and passion for helping children with learning differences forever shaped the mission of the Stephen Gaynor School and changed the lives of thousands of children and their families,” the obituary noted. “Alongside her lifelong friend and colleague, Dr. Miriam Michael, Yvette co-founded the school in 1962, believing that bright students who learned differently deserved a nurturing and individualized educational experience.”

Live with Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check local listings for showtimes in your area.

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