Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello: A Love Story That Ended in Divorce
Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello were one of Hollywood's most glamorous and enviable couples. They began dating in 2014, were engaged after six months, and were wed in a grand Palm Beach ceremony in 2015. They appeared to have it all: good looks, notoriety, wealth, and love. But after nearly eight years of marriage, the couple announced their divorce in July 2023, shocking their fans and the entertainment industry.
How They Met
joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara first crossed paths at the White House Correspondents' Association luncheon in May 2014, where they were introduced to each other. At the time, Vergara was engaged to her then-fiancé Nick Loeb, while Manganiello was single and smitten by the Modern Family star. He was caught on camera staring at her behind, which he later admitted to PEOPLE: "It's like a moment of Zen. There is nothing in my brain. If only I could meditate that well."
Vergara broke off her engagement to Loeb a few weeks after the incident, citing irreconcilable differences. Manganiello wasted no time and asked Vergara's co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson for her phone number. Ferguson recalled on The Late Late Show with James Corden: "When she broke up with her fiancé at the time, Joe — like, immediately, the moment it was out in the world — called me and was, like: 'I need her number.'"
Vergara was hesitant to date Manganiello at first, as she told Vanity Fair: "I'm like, 'Jesse, no, he's too handsome. I finally say, "OK, give him my number," after Jesse has been trying to persuade me for two days while I'm filming [Hot Pursuit] in New Orleans. Nothing will take place. However, something did occur. Manganiello flew to New Orleans to take Vergara on their first date, and they hit it off right away.
Their Whirlwind Romance
Vergara and Manganiello quickly became inseparable after their first date. They made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Emmy Awards in August 2014, where they looked stunning and smitten. They also celebrated Vergara's 42nd birthday together in Mexico, where they shared romantic photos on social media.
In December 2014, Manganiello popped the question to Vergara during a vacation in Hawaii. He proposed with a stunning oval-shaped diamond ring that reportedly cost $500,000. Vergara said yes and shared the happy news on Instagram with a photo of them embracing and showing off the ring.
They sealed their commitment on November 22, 2015, in a lavish wedding held at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Over 400 attendees, including notable figures such as Reese Witherspoon, Channing Tatum, Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, and many more, graced the occasion with their presence. The bride wore a custom-made Zuhair Murad gown with a detachable skirt and a long veil. The groom wore a John Varvatos tuxedo. The pair took their first dance to Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight" after exchanging vows in both Spanish and English.
Their Marriage Troubles
Vergara and Manganiello seemed to have a fairy-tale marriage for the first few years. They supported each other's careers, attended glamorous events together, traveled the world together, and gushed about each other in interviews. They also celebrated their anniversary every month with sweet messages and gifts.
However, the pair struggled behind the scenes, which ultimately resulted in their divorce. One of them was Vergara's ongoing legal battle with her ex-fiancé Loeb over the custody of two frozen embryos they created when they were together. Loeb sued Vergara multiple times to prevent her from destroying the embryos and to grant him parental rights over them. Vergara fought back and argued that she had no intention of using the embryos or allowing Loeb to use them without her consent.
The embryo dispute put a strain on Vergara and Manganiello's relationship, as they had different views on having children together. Those close to the pair said that Manganiello intended to create a family with Vergara but accepted her choice to stop having children (she already has a son from her first marriage). However, he was frustrated by Loeb's interference and felt that it was affecting their intimacy.
Another issue that contributed to their divorce was their busy schedules and conflicting priorities. Vergara continued to work on various projects after Modern Family ended in 2020, including hosting America's Got Talent, producing and starring in a Netflix comedy series, and launching her own beauty brand. Manganiello also pursued his acting career, appearing in movies like Archenemy, The Sleepover, and Zack Snyder's Justice League.
He became deeply intrigued by Dungeons & Dragons and proceeded to craft a film centered around the popular role-playing game.
The couple spent less and less time together as they focused on their individual endeavors. They also grew apart emotionally and intellectually, as they had different interests and hobbies. Vergara felt that Manganiello was too nerdy and obsessed with D&D, while Manganiello felt that Vergara was too superficial and materialistic. They also had different lifestyles: Vergara liked to party and socialize, while Manganiello preferred to stay home and read.
Their Divorce Announcement
The couple announced their divorce in a joint statement to PageSix on July 17, 2023. They said: "We have made the difficult decision to divorce. We kindly ask for privacy during this transformative phase of our journey as two individuals deeply devoted to each other.
Many friends and admirers were shocked by the message because they were unaware that the marriage was having issues. For instance, Manganiello was noticeably absent from Vergara's birthday celebration in Italy in July 2023, where she posted photos with her son, her niece, and her friends. Vergara also stopped wearing her wedding ring in public and on social media.
Sources close to the marriage claim that the divorce was mutual and amicable. Despite not having a prenuptial agreement, they decided to divide their assets amicably and fairly. They also remained friends and wished each other well.
Their Post-Divorce Lives
Vergara and Manganiello have moved on with their lives after their divorce. Vergara has been focusing on her career and her family, spending time with her son Manolo and her niece Claudia. She has also been linked to a new love interest: Chris Evans, the star of Captain America and Knives Out. The two met at a charity event in 2023 and hit it off right away. Joe Manganiello and Emilia Clarke have been spotted holding hands and kissing on numerous dates in New York and Los Angeles. The two stars have been friends for years, but it seems their relationship may have taken a romantic turn recently.
Manganiello is no stranger to the dating scene. He was previously married to Sofia Vergara from 2015 to 2020. Clarke has also been linked to a few high-profile names, including Seth MacFarlane and Charlie McDowell.
It's unclear how serious Manganiello and Clarke are, but they seem to be enjoying each other's company. Both stars are busy with their careers, but they've been making time to see each other.
Manganiello is currently writing the script for a D&D movie that he intends to both direct and star in. Clarke is also keeping busy with her acting career. She recently starred in the film "Last Christmas" and is set to appear in the upcoming series "Secret Invasion."
Only time will tell if Manganiello and Clarke's relationship will blossom into something more, but for now, they seem to be enjoying each other's company. They became friends over their shared passion for the game after meeting at a D&D convention in 2023. They have been spotted playing D&D together and hugging over numerous outings in London and Los Angeles.
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