Joe Manganiello alleges that his former wife, Sofía Vergara, told him no one would love him after learning how seriously ill he had been. The actor recounts the alleged remark in his memoir, Bloodlines, reported as released on 13 October, 2026. His account of the private conversation has not been independently corroborated.
Manganiello, 49, describes the remark as part of a final exchange after he began a relationship with Caitlin O'Connor. No direct public response from Vergara to this specific allegation has been independently verified; unrelated social media activity should not be treated as a reply.
The actor says their relationship had already deteriorated before the confrontation. He describes a period when they remained together publicly despite growing apart privately, before he decided to leave.
Manganiello alleges that Vergara warned him he would become ill again and that a future partner would not love him after discovering the extent of his health problems. The wording is his characterisation of what was said, rather than a verified transcript of the exchange.
Seven Years of Serious Illness
The former True Blood star describes a prolonged illness involving abdominal pain, fevers, rashes and fatigue that began around the time of his 2015 marriage. He says the illness led to emergency surgery in 2016, after which he used an ostomy bag.
Manganiello recounts repeated hospital treatment, significant weight loss and difficulties finding medication that relieved his symptoms. He has described the illness as autoimmune but says he never received a conclusive diagnosis.
Manganiello says he and Vergara explored fertility treatment. He says his illness and fears about dying and leaving her to raise a child alone influenced their decision to stop trying for a child.
He later underwent surgery to reconnect his digestive tract. He has said he is now symptom-free and no longer takes medication for the illness.
Different Accounts of the Divorce
The pair married in a ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida, in November 2015, after becoming engaged in December 2014. Their separation announcement came in July 2023, nearly eight years after the wedding. The divorce proceedings and the explanations each has since offered are distinct from the private exchange Manganiello describes in his book. His account of the alleged remark has not been established by a court or independently corroborated.
Manganiello and Vergara married in November 2015 and announced their separation in July 2023. Their divorce was finalised in 2024. Both have publicly described the end of the marriage, but their explanations have differed.
Vergara previously said their differing views on having children contributed to the split, explaining that she did not want to become an older mother. Manganiello has said his illness affected their attempts to become parents and disputes the suggestion that he simply wanted children while she did not.
Manganiello says he felt emotionally isolated during his medical ordeal. That is his account of the marriage and does not establish Vergara's intentions or conduct.
Vergara is known for playing Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in Modern Family. Manganiello starred in True Blood and appeared in the Magic Mike films. Their relationship attracted extensive attention throughout their marriage and after their separation.
New Relationships After the Split
Manganiello is now engaged to actor Caitlin O'Connor. He has described moving forward with his life after years dominated by illness and medical uncertainty.
Vergara has also moved on from the marriage. She has not been independently verified as responding directly to the specific remark alleged in Bloodlines.
The memoir was reported as released on 13 October 2026, and fresh coverage of the allegation appeared on 14 October. The reported final exchange remains Manganiello's account of a private conversation.
Beyond his marriage and illness, Bloodlines recounts Manganiello's acting career and family history. His work includes True Blood and the Magic Mike films, while Vergara is known for Modern Family.
