Kelly Rizzo: From Real Estate to TV Fame and Her Love Story with Bob Saget

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Kelly Rizzo is known for her roles on American TV shows, most specifically for the program Eat Travel Rock. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, in May of 1979. Kelly’s parents, Santo and Sharon Rizzo, worked together in real estate. Kelly has two successful sisters, Kimberly and Kristin Rizzo.

The “Miami Models” actress enjoys posting pictures on social media when she spends time with her sisters and niece, Alexandra.

Kelly Rizzo, Bob Saget, Aubrey Saget, and Aubrey's boyfriend Andy Kabel attend Bob Saget's Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine presented by the Scleroderma Research Foundation at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons HotelKelly Rizzo, Bob Saget, Aubrey Saget, and Aubrey’s boyfriend Andy Kabel attend Bob Saget’s Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine presented by the Scleroderma Research Foundation at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on April 25, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)

When Kelly Rizzo graduated from Glenbrook South High School, she decided to attend the University of Iowa. She knew she wanted to be a journalist from a young age, so she aimed to get her bachelor’s degree after graduating from the University of Iowa in 1999.

That’s when Kelly decided to move back to Chicago and attend DePaul University for her bachelor’s degree in Communications.
After finishing college, Kelly and her mother started their own real estate company in 2005.

After working as the vice president for the Rizzo Realty Group for a few years, Kelly turned to the entertainment industry, which had appealed to her since she was a child. She was also interested in trying new foods, contributing to her rapid success gains.

Kelly Rizzo keeps it casual in a chic olive blouse and jeans while attending an HBO documentary event with her husband, Bob SagetKelly Rizzo keeps it casual in a chic olive blouse and jeans while attending an HBO documentary event with her husband, Bob Saget (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)

Kelly found success right away, working as the host and producer of “Food Junkie: Chicago.” Around the same time, Kelly started a blog called “Eat Travel Music” that seemingly inspired her future show.

However, it wasn’t long after her first successful stint as a host that Kelly took a leap and founded the show that brought her fame, “Eat Travel Rock.”

Bob Saget’s Journey to Fame: From Humble Beginnings to ‘Full House’ Stardom

Bob Saget is extremely well known for his role in “Full House.” He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1956, making him about 23 years older than Kelly Rizzo.

His parents, Benjamin and Rosalyn Saget, worked as executives and administrators. They had five children, including Bob, but his siblings had tragic fates.

Unfortunately, Bob didn’t get to spend enough time with his siblings, which significantly impacted him throughout his life. His mother gave birth to twin boys who didn’t make it out of the hospital, though the family kept the details private.

Jodie Sweetin, Mary-Kate Olsen, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Bob Saget, and Ashley Olsen in 2004 at the premiere of the American teen comedy film New York MinuteJodie Sweetin, Mary-Kate Olsen, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Bob Saget, and Ashley Olsen in 2004 at the premiere of the American teen comedy film New York Minute (Credit: Marty Hause / Startraksphoto)

His sisters both died while they were young adults, one from scleroderma, a rare disease, and the other from a brain aneurysm.

Saget attended Abington Senior High School in Abington, Pennsylvania, where he dreamed of becoming a doctor. Instead, he attended Temple University in Philadelphia to help start his acting career.

Bob earned an award for a short film he created as a student. He graduated in 1978, just one year before his future wife was born.

Bob Saget in 2005 with his three daughters Aubrey, Lara Melanie, and Jennifer BelleBob Saget in 2005 with his three daughters Aubrey, Lara Melanie, and Jennifer Belle (Credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock)

After finishing college, Bob moved to Los Angeles to start his acting career. He didn’t have much luck initially until he met Brad Grey, who helped Bob get his first minor roles.

Then, in 1987, Saget finally landed his role in the TV series “Full House,” became the host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” and his career took off.

Bob married his first wife and high school sweetheart, Sherri Kramer, in 1982. They had three daughters, including a set of twins, before they divorced in 1997. Their oldest daughters were born in 1987, only eight years younger than his future wife, Kelly Rizzo.

The Love Story of Kelly Rizzo and Bob Saget: How They Met and Fell in Love

Kelly met Bob back in 2015 when a mutual friend introduced them. Bob had found Kelly on Instagram and wanted to send her a message. He noticed her Instagram was more interesting than others he’d seen.

Unlike many, Kelly’s Instagram wasn’t filled with bikini shots, which caught Bob’s attention. When he first messaged her, she wasn’t particularly interested and thought they’d just be friends. However, by the end of their dinner together, Kelly had a change of heart.

Bob Saget and his younger wife Kelly Rizzo arrive at the EMMY For Your Consideration Event for Showtime's "Shameless"Bob Saget and his younger wife Kelly Rizzo arrive at the EMMY For Your Consideration Event for Showtime’s “Shameless” at the Linwood Dunn Theater on March 6, 2019, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)

After hitting it off immediately, they were engaged only two years later. Bob wasn’t sure that he had ever wanted to get married again after his first relationship.

He just wanted to live his life and be happy. However, when he asked her to spend “whatever days he had left” with him, Kelly enthusiastically said yes (and told him to rephrase that proposal).

The newlywed Sagets tied the knot in 2018 when Bob was 62, and Kelly was only 39. Bob said his children adored his new wife despite being close in age. They’re still much closer in age than Katharine McPhee and David Foster.

Friends and family attend Bob Saget's funeral at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Forest Lawn CemeteryFriends and family attend Bob Saget’s funeral at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Forest Lawn Cemetery on January 14, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

They all got along from the beginning, and Kelly enjoyed being the stepmom to three adult children. It worked out incredibly well for the couple, as Bob and Kelly knew early on that they didn’t want to have any children together.

Kelly and Bob were repeatedly asked how they felt about their age gap over the course of their relationship. Neither of them ever thought that the difference mattered, only that they were happy together. People asked things like, “Is it weird?” or “Aren’t you scared to die alone?”

Sometimes, the couple joked about the age difference, but their relationship was unaffected.

Kelly Rizzo’s Grief Journey After Bob Saget’s Tragic Passing

Unfortunately, Bob Saget died very suddenly in January 2022 after suffering from an accidental head injury in a Florida hotel. There was an investigation into the cause of the mysterious accident.

Still, the medical examiner revealed that it was just an accident. Bob accidentally hit his head, and despite there being no drugs or alcohol in his system, the injury proved fatal. Kelly said the last text message he sent her said, “I love you endlessly.”

Kelly Rizzo decided to sell their home following the death of her husband Bob SagetBob Saget and his wife, Kelly Rizzo, attend a red carpet event, showcasing their loving relationship and shared public appearances (Credit: Milla Cochran / Startraksphoto)

Kelly has been connecting with fans who have lost their spouses, comforted by people who loved Bob and understand her grief.

Rizzo shared in an Instagram Q&A that “feeling grateful for what I did have with” Saget has helped ease the pain. “And what I still have. And not feeling like I lost my husband, but feeling like I still have him. It’s just a different relationship.”

Unfortunately, she also found it very difficult to live in the Los Angeles mansion the couple shared, feeling the loss even harder with each passing day.

Kelly shared that she cannot live in an empty house so full of memories. A few months after Bob’s funeral, she put the family home on the market.

Rizzo is “in the process of putting their family home up for sale. While there are many happy memories they shared together with his family, it has become too much of a burden on her to keep the house,” Us Weekly reported about the house, which Saget reportedly bought for $5.8 million.