Joe Manganiello Believes Health Battle May Have Contributed to Sofía Vergara Divorce
The actor shared in his new memoir that a seven-year autoimmune illness could have impacted his marriage to Vergara.
Joe Manganiello has suggested that his marriage to Sofía Vergara might have endured if not for a significant health struggle he experienced during their relationship. The 49-year-old actor detailed in his recent memoir, "Bloodlines," that he battled "autoimmune-related illnesses" for seven years, an ordeal that he believes may have played a role in their 2023 separation and subsequent February 2024 divorce.
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Radio Andy,” Manganiello was asked if he thought their marriage could have survived had he been in better health. "Possibly, maybe," he responded, reflecting on the difficulties the illness presented.
Manganiello expressed regret about not being healthier during his marriage, stating, "Yeah, of course." He noted that he often reflects on this when seeing photos of himself and Vergara from the early days of their relationship. "It’s heartbreaking when you look at these two people with life ahead of them, but for us, we didn’t know what was ahead," he said, adding that he felt guilty for a prolonged period.
He explained that he had discussed his feelings of guilt with Vergara at the time, feeling like a burden. He also shared that he has not spoken to Vergara since their divorce was finalized.
The memoir also touches upon other factors that may have influenced the end of their marriage. Vergara had previously stated that Manganiello's desire to have children, while she did not wish to be an "old mom," contributed to their split. Manganiello, however, disputed this claim, stating it was not the sole reason for their divorce.
In "Bloodlines," Manganiello further reveals that the prolonged illness led to the "amputation" of an organ. He described the experience as "the most brutally difficult time of [his] life," but also his "greatest adventure."
Manganiello also recounted an incident where a shaman suggested his illness was the result of a voodoo curse placed on him by someone still in love with Vergara. Additionally, he claims in the memoir that Vergara "ridiculed" him during his illness, particularly regarding his dog, Bubbles, whom he adopted in 2019 during a period of suicidal thoughts. He also stated that Vergara refused to hug him, even when he pleaded for affection.
In response to these claims, Vergara shared a post from her son, Manolo, discussing "narcissistic men." Manganiello later addressed the reaction during an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” asserting that his memoir is about his personal suffering and not an attack on his ex-wife.