Soap Opera Couples Who Met and Fell in Love on Set

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos met during Consuelos' audition for All My Children. They debuted their relationship one year later in 1996 and have been married for 26 years, sharing three grown children.

In a 2022 conversation on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, the Live with Kelly and Ryan host explained how her relationship with Consuelos worked despite everything she believes in.

"On paper, it should not have worked," Ripa said. "I say it all the time, I'm like, How are we still married?"

She continued, "I married my crush. It's very counter [to] everything I am."

Ripa also said Consuelos was persistent, recalling, "He was very convincing also. He was super convincing. He's a very persuasive person. And here's the other thing. This cannot be understated. He's a kind human being."

Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes

Four years after Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes shared their very first kiss on Days of Our Lives in July 1970, they tied the knot in real life on Oct. 12, 1974.

Two years later, their characters, Doug and Julie, wed on TV on Oct. 1, 1976.

With nearly 50 years of marriage, the duo share their secrets to a successful relationship on their website, Secrets of Soap Opera Lovers.

The Hayes have both received Lifetime Achievement Emmys for their more than 50 years of powerful acting on NBC's Days of Our Lives.