Joe Manganiello recently opened up about his near-fatal health battle. He also recalled how his former wife, Sofia Vergara, was anything but supportive of him during that phase.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleSofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello were one of the most admired couples in Hollywood at one point, until things changed between them. Although they have mostly stayed quiet on the matter, Joe has finally opened up about one of the darkest chapters of his life. He also shared some shocking details about his years-long health battle. The actor also revealed how the battle affected his bond with his then-wife, Sofia Vergara, in his upcoming memoir, Bloodlines.
According to excerpts from Bloodlines, Joe Manganiello revealed that his health began to decline after he married Sofia Vergara in 2015. He used to feel severe abdominal pain, ulcers, fevers, rashes, headaches, and constant fatigue. Eventually, it triggered years of medical uncertainty. Joe had to undergo emergency surgery in 2016 and spent the next few years looking for answers about his condition.
During that time, Joe reportedly lost around 60 pounds. He also underwent multiple colonoscopies and even had a part of his intestine removed because of it. Initially, the doctors treated him for Crohn's disease and colitis. However, the medication did little to improve his condition.
Joe also recalled how the pain became severe to a point where he relied on prescription pain medication, fentanyl patches, and marijuana to get through the days. Eventually, he underwent one more surgery. Fortunately, it helped to restore his health. The actor mentioned how he became symptom-free. In fact, he no longer depends on any medication.
However, Joe also alleged that his marriage to Sofia became emotionally distant during his prolonged health issue. He claims that she refused to hug him when he was struggling with his illness. The actor realized during that incident how his bond with Sofia lacked emotional connection. She also ridiculed him for his health.
Joe also recalled when he adopted a Chihuahua and named it Bubbles. He explained how the dog helped him cope with severe depression. The actor also admitted that he had several moments when he had suicidal thoughts. They became serious to an extent that he had to give up his gun for his safety.
Joe shared how caring for that dog gave him a new sense of purpose in life and shifted his focus from being a patient to a full-time caretaker. Eventually, these gestures for his dog changed the quality of his life. Meanwhile, talking about the dog on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Sofia said:
"I don't have a dog. It's not mine. Joe has a dog. I got it for myself, she arrived and completely ignored me, went straight to him. She has taken everything that was mine."
For those who don't know, Joe and Sofia announced their separation after seven years of marriage in July 2023. However, both of them had different explanations for what led to the end of their relationship. Sofia suggested during an interview in 2024 that one of her biggest reasons to step back was their disagreement over having kids. The Modern Family actress explained that she already has an adult son and did not want to become a mother again later in her life.
Meanwhile, Joe has disputed the claim. He mentioned that they were actively working on starting a family during the early years of their marriage. In fact, they were looking for IVF treatments and discussed using egg donors. However, he says that he eventually let go of the idea due to his serious health issues and concerns over his future. So, he feels that the marriage ended after he and Sofia grew apart.
After their divorce, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello have moved forward in their personal and professional lives. Sofia is reportedly dating businessman Douglas Chabbott. At the same time, she is also focusing on her acting career and business ventures after the success of her Netflix series Griselda. She is also working in the fashion and beauty sector.
Meanwhile, Joe Manganiello is engaged to TV host and actress Caitlin O'Connor. They began dating shortly after he parted ways with Sofia and confirmed their engagement. On the work front, he is currently focused on promoting Bloodlines, which gives an intimate look at his personal life and health.
What do you think about Joe Manganiello's claims about the emotional distance between him and his ex-wife, Sofia Vergara?
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