Joe Manganiello Believes Illness Contributed to Sofía Vergara Divorce

Actor Joe Manganiello recently shared that he believes he and ex-wife Sofía Vergara might still be married if he had not suffered from a severe mystery illness during their relationship. The 49-year-old actor opened up about the 2023 split during an appearance on SiriusXM’s "Radio Andy."

During his interview with host Andy Cohen, Manganiello was asked whether he thought his marriage to Vergara would have survived if he had been in better health. He replied "possibly, maybe," noting that he often thinks about it when looking back at early photographs of the couple. The actor revealed that he dealt with "autoimmune-related illnesses" for seven years, a period that ultimately led to the amputation of an organ.

Manganiello admitted that he felt guilty for a long time regarding his health battles. He explained that he had previously spoken to Vergara, now 54, about those feelings of guilt while navigating the difficult time. He stated that he knew people grew tired of watching him go through the ordeal, though he has not spoken to Vergara since their divorce was finalized in February 2024.

In his new memoir, Manganiello details the health crisis, describing it as the most brutally difficult time of his life. He also makes claims regarding the dynamic between the former couple during his illness, writing that Vergara ridiculed him at times and refused to hug him when he asked for affection. He adopted his dog, Bubbles, in 2019 while struggling with difficult mental health moments, noting that caring for the dog shifted his perspective.

The split between the two actors has previously involved differing accounts regarding the reasons for their separation. Vergara previously stated that Manganiello's desire to have children led to their divorce, as she did not want to be an older mother. Manganiello later disputed that claim, stating it was not inevitably why everything ended.

Following details from his book, Vergara shared a post from her son Manolo concerning narcissistic behavior and resentment. When addressing the subsequent backlash during an appearance on "CBS Mornings," Manganiello suggested that critics should read the book first to understand its actual focus on his personal suffering.

Manganiello is now engaged to Caitlin O’Connor following two years of dating. The recent media appearances and memoir releases have brought renewed public attention to the final years of his high-profile marriage and his ongoing journey past the health challenges.

The former couple finalized their divorce in early 2024, and both have since moved forward with their respective lives and careers while continuing to address the past public scrutiny.