Clara Hastings
Sofía Vergara is a renowned actress and one of the judges on America’s Got Talent, known for her vibrant personality and public persona. Her romantic life has attracted significant media attention as well. The star of Modern Family has experienced two marriages: first to her high school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez, and later to actor Joe Manganiello. Sofía and Joe Manganiello’s marriage lasted nearly eight years before they announced their separation in July 2023. In October 2026, Joe stirred discussions again with revealing details in his memoir, Bloodlines.
The couple publicly confirmed their split in a statement provided to Page Six.
“We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people who care for each other deeply, we kindly request respect for our privacy during this transition as we navigate this new chapter in our lives.”
Shortly after, Joe filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Court documents acquired by HollywoodLife indicate that the couple had a prenup, allowing them to maintain their individual assets and cover their own legal costs. Sources close to the couple suggest that their marriage ended due to conflicting desires regarding family expansion. Sofía later indicated that Joe wanted children while she had no such intentions, though Joe’s memoir presents a different perspective.
Below, delve deeper into Sofía’s two ex-husbands and the relationships she had with each of them.
Understanding Joe Manganiello’s Role in Sofía Vergara’s Life
Sofía met Joe for the first time at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in 2014, thanks to her Modern Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson. At that time, Sofía was engaged to Nick Loeb, a relationship that ended shortly after the event. Joe was instantly captivated, expressing his feelings candidly.
“A photo from the dinner captured me admiring Sofia Vergara. When you talk about being mesmerized, that’s the moment. My mind was blank. If only I could meditate that well. I don’t pursue women who are taken. If she were single, I would have made my move!”
Once news broke of Sofía’s single status, Joe wasted no time in requesting Jesse for her phone number. Although Sofía was initially hesitant to date, Joe’s persistence won her over, as Jesse recounted on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
“As soon as her breakup was public, Joe contacted me, saying: ‘I need her number.’ I then asked Sofía if I could share her number with him. She playfully protested: ‘Ay, no!’ but clearly wanted me to proceed: ‘Oh no, you go ahead, okay, okay.’ So, I facilitated the exchange and he took it from there.”
Their first date occurred later in 2014 in New Orleans, where Sofía was busy filming Hot Pursuit. Joe described how he confidently invited himself on “The Jess Cagle Show.”
“I told her, ‘I’m coming to New Orleans. If you’re busy, I’ll just explore the city, but I hope to see you.’ She responded, ‘You’re crazy.’ I said, ‘See you next week.’”
Their romance became public in August 2014 when Sofía enthusiastically shared her feelings about Joe with Extra.
“I’m enjoying a wonderful moment in my life and trying not to overthink it. It’s something very new, so we’ll see where it leads.”
She also mentioned that she had already introduced Joe to her family in Miami. When asked for her opinion of him, her answer was quick and positive.
“What’s not to love?”
By November 2014, the couple moved in together and became engaged the following month. They exchanged vows on November 22, 2015, surrounded by family and friends at the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Sofía later shared a stunning wedding photo of the couple at the altar on Instagram.
“Goodnight. Gracias.”
Weeks later, they made their first red carpet appearance as a married couple at the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and attended numerous events together in the years to follow. In 2020, Joe opened up to People about how quickly he recognized Sofía as his soulmate.
“I realized early on that I could trust her, and she felt the same about me. We both prioritize each other’s needs above our own. Once you establish that bond, you hold on to it tightly.”
By 2023, however, things had shifted. A source informed Page Six that the marriage had been quietly deteriorating for an extended period.
“Sofía and Joe have been drifting apart for a while and are taking time apart to reflect on their future.”
What Revelations Did Joe Manganiello Share About Sofía Vergara in His Memoir?
Bloodlines is set to be released on October 13, 2026. In this memoir, Joe discusses a seven-year struggle with a mysterious autoimmune condition that began shortly after their wedding and culminated in emergency surgery in 2016, as reported by TMZ.
The True Blood star alleges that Sofía refused to offer him comfort during his illness and ridiculed his bond with Bubbles, the chihuahua he adopted for emotional support. He also claims he abandoned hopes of fatherhood during his illness after multiple IVF cycles failed, which contradicts Sofía’s narrative regarding their divorce.
While Sofía has not directly responded to these claims, on October 9, 2026, she shared a post discussing the distinction between good men and narcissists, a message that her son, Manolo, had originally posted, according to TMZ.
Joe has since moved on and found love again, getting engaged to actress Caitlin O’Connor in October 2025.
Exploring Sofía Vergara’s First Marriage to Joe Gonzalez
Before her relationship with Joe Manganiello, Sofía was married to her first husband, also named Joe. They tied the knot in 1990 when Sofía was still a teenager and welcomed their son Manolo in 1991. their marriage ended in 1992, just two years after they said “I do.”
Details about their relationship remain largely private, occurring before Sofía rose to fame in Hollywood. Nevertheless, her son Manolo has frequently expressed his love for his father on social media. In June 2017, he honored his dad on Father’s Day with a touching Instagram tribute, featuring a nostalgic photo of Joe tenderly holding and feeding him as a baby.
“Happy Father’s Day!! Te quiero! #ThanksForGivingMeYourOliveSkinTone #AndCanklesToo”
Cameron Steel
Ivy Caldwell
