Linda Ripa, the sister of TV host Kelly Ripa, may not be as much of a household name, but she’s got a story that’s just as compelling. Her life took a sharp turn back in 1999 when a horrific car accident flipped everything upside down. Linda, seven months pregnant at the time, was hit head-on in Northeast Philly, leaving her with some pretty gnarly injuries. What followed were years of pain, surgeries, and a fight to rebuild her life.
As if dealing with the accident wasn’t enough, Linda also got caught up in a legal battle after a botched surgery made her injuries worse. In 2004, she walked away with $15 million in compensation after a surgeon messed up her ankle repair, leaving her with nerve damage and chronic pain. While the money couldn’t undo the damage, it was a small win in a long, grueling journey.
Throughout her recovery process, she didn’t just sit around feeling sorry for herself instead, she channeled her energy into something pretty unexpected: writing and illustrating a children’s book, The Ladybug Blues. Thanks to her supportive sister, Kelly, who hyped the book on Live with Regis and Kelly, Linda found a new path in life. That same sisterly bond also saw them both joining the fight with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, with Kelly stepping up as a spokesperson.
Today, she is revered as a successful author, all thanks to her determination and faith in herself.
So yeah, Linda’s story is much more than being just Kelly’s sister. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the bits you might not know about Linda—her relationship with her famous sis, whether she’s ever been married, her role as a mother, and what life looks like for her today.
Her Relationship with Sister Kelly
Today Linda lives in Brigantine, NJ, while Kelly resides in New York City, so the dynamics between the sisters are not widely known. Besides, Kelly rarely discusses her sister in her shows or on social media.
But, in October 2013, we got a peek into their complex relationship. At that time, Linda tweeted a link to a Reddit thread about the dangers of Botox, stating, “Someone please tell my sister this!!”
This tweet highlights a contrast between the sisters, as Kelly has been quite vocal about her Botox use.
Her Father Served in The Army
Linda was born to Joseph and Esther Ripa on December 3, 1972, in Camden County, New Jersey. Her parents first met at Cooper University Hospital, a teaching and research facility in southern New Jersey.
Kelly Ripa, Linda’s older sister, fondly recalls how their parents taught them to dream big and to imagine a great future, attributes that have undoubtedly influenced both sisters’ lives.
Joseph served in the army before marrying Esther. After completing his military duties, he worked as a bus driver before transitioning into politics. His dedication and hard work culminated in his appointment as the county clerk of Camden County, New Jersey, in 2009.
Linda’s mom Esther, unlike her husband, prefers a life away from the spotlight. Kelly has mentioned that her mother values privacy, a sentiment echoed in her memoir where Esther’s presence is minimal by her own request.
During high school years, Linda played soccer for the Berlin Eastern Jr. Soccer Club.
Fact: Linda Ripa’s heritage is predominantly Italian, with 75% of her ancestry from Italy and 25% from Ireland.
Her Son Is a Musician and Has Worked for His Aunt Kelly
Sergio-Giuseppe Ripa was born prematurely on September 8, 1999, following a traumatic car accident that left his mother severely injured and him in a prenatal coma. Despite these early challenges, Sergio has developed into a skilled musician and audio production expert.
His passion for music began at the age of 11, and he has since become proficient in recording and producing music. Now 27, he is adept with industry-standard software like Logic Pro X and Pro Tools and has gained considerable live sound experience.
In 2020, Sergio worked as a part-time Production Assistant for Live! With Kelly and Ryan from May to August. During the remote broadcasts of the show, he also served as his aunt Kelly Ripa’s personal Audio and Video engineer.
Academically, Sergio earned an Associate’s degree in Audio Production from Camden County College, graduating in 2021. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Sergio is a guitar player for the band Dr. Boat.
Who Is Her Baby Father?
Notably, Sergio’s father is not publicly identified, and Linda’s current relationship status is also unclear. There is a possibility that Dominick Dandrea, to whom Linda was engaged in 1994, might be Sergio’s father.
The engagement announcement published on May 16, 1994, stated that Linda was engaged to Dandrea, with a wedding planned for July 20, 1996. However, it is unclear whether the wedding took place.
Linda also has two daughters, Gianna, born on May 17, 2006, and Gigli, born on July 31, 2007. The father of Linda’s daughters has not been revealed either.
