The answer is simple: they wanted different things in life. Sofía Vergara, 51, revealed in an interview with El País that she and Joe Manganiello, 47, split up because he wanted to have kids and she didn’t. The couple, who were married for seven years, announced their divorce in July 2023, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason. In this article, we will explore the background, the reason, and the impact of their breakup.
Background on the Couple
Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello met in 2014, after she ended her engagement with businessman Nick Loeb. They had a whirlwind romance and got engaged on Christmas Day that year. They tied the knot in November 2015, in a lavish ceremony at The Breakers Palm Beach resort in Florida. They seemed to be a perfect match, as they both shared a passion for acting, fitness, and philanthropy. They also supported each other’s careers, with Vergara appearing in Manganiello’s directorial debut, Bottom of the 9th, and Manganiello guest-starring in Vergara’s hit show, Modern Family.
The couple had a blended family, as Vergara had a son, Manolo, 32, from her first marriage to Joe Gonzalez, and Manganiello had a daughter, Sofia, 15, from his previous relationship with actress Audra Marie. They also had two dogs, Bubbles and Baguette, who often featured on their social media posts. They frequently gushed about each other in interviews, calling each other their “soulmates” and “best friends”.
Reason for Divorce
However, behind the scenes, the couple had a major issue that they could not resolve: whether or not to have more children. Vergara, who had a son at 19, said that she was ready to be a grandmother, not a mother. She said that she felt it was not fair to the baby to have an older mom, and that she respected whoever did it, but that it was not for her anymore. She also said that she was almost in menopause, and that it was the natural way of things.
Manganiello, on the other hand, wanted to have kids with Vergara, and hoped that she would change her mind. He said in a 2017 interview that he loved kids, and that he was a kid himself. He also said that he was not in a rush, and that he trusted Vergara’s judgment. However, as time went by, he realized that Vergara was firm in her decision, and that they had different priorities and lifestyles. He said in a statement that they loved and cared for each other very much, but that they had to take some distance from each other to contemplate their future.
Another factor that contributed to their divorce was the challenge of blending their families. According to a source close to the couple, Vergara and Manganiello had some difficulties in getting along with each other’s children, especially Manganiello’s daughter, who was not happy with the new arrangement. The source said that Sofia felt like an outsider in her own home, and that she and Manganiello had different parenting styles.
Impact and Reactions
The news of Vergara and Manganiello’s divorce shocked many fans, who had admired their relationship and chemistry. Many expressed their sadness and disbelief on social media, while others speculated about the possible reasons and outcomes of their split. Some wondered if Vergara’s ex-fiancé, Nick Loeb, had anything to do with it, as he had been involved in a legal battle with Vergara over the custody of their frozen embryos. Others speculated that Manganiello had cheated on Vergara with his co-star, Anna Kendrick, who he had been filming a romantic comedy with. However, both Loeb and Kendrick denied any involvement or wrongdoing, and said that they respected Vergara and Manganiello’s privacy.
The divorce also had some potential effects on Vergara and Manganiello’s careers. Vergara, who was the highest-paid actress on television for eight consecutive years, according to Forbes, had recently launched her own Netflix series, Griselda, in which she played the notorious drug lord, Griselda Blanco. The series, which was produced by Vergara and Eric Newman, and directed by Andrés Baiz, received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, who praised Vergara’s performance, but criticized the show’s tone and accuracy. Vergara also had to deal with the backlash from some of her fans, who accused her of glorifying violence and drug trafficking.
Manganiello, who was best known for his roles in True Blood, Magic Mike, and Justice League, had also been busy with his projects. He had starred in the action thriller, Archenemy, which he also produced, and the horror comedy, The Sleepover, which he also wrote. He had also been working on his passion project, a Dungeons & Dragons movie, which he co-wrote and was set to direct and star in. However, the movie faced some delays and complications, due to the pandemic and the legal disputes between the game’s creators and the studio.
Conclusion
Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello’s divorce was a sad and surprising end to a seemingly happy and successful marriage. The couple, who had been together for 10 years, had different views on having children, which ultimately led to their breakup. They also faced some challenges in blending their families, and balancing their careers. They said that they still loved and cared for each other, and asked for respect and privacy during this difficult time. They also said that they hoped to remain friends, and wished each other the best for the future.
