Joe Manganiello Reveals Promise Made To Ex Sofia Vergara Amid Divorce Lies: ‘I Swore To Her’

Joe Manganiello is finally telling his side of the story. Manganiello and Sofia Vergara were the ultimate power couple before calling it quits in July 2023 after nine years together. Although the Modern Family star attributed their divorce to a disagreement in wanting kids, Manganiello wants the world to know there is more to the story.

Five months after their divorce was finalized, the Magic Mike actor addressed his divorce from Vergara for the first time. In an interview with Men’s Journal, the Pittsburgh native debunked the narrative his ex-wife peddled concerning their split. “There’s been a lot said in the press about me wanting a family. That’s simply not true,” the 47-year-old boldly declared. He explained that the topic of starting a family was thoroughly discussed by both parties, unlike Vergara’s version where she claims it was sprung on her.

“We did try to have a family for the first year and a half. And we had a huge conversation right out of the gate during the first month we dated. I said, ‘If you’re done with kids, then I understand. Just tell me, and I’ll know what this is, and that’s okay.'”

Joe Manganiello

Manganiello confessed that he made a vow to the Griselda star, promising not to ever leave her because of kids. “I swore to her that I would never leave if it didn’t work out,” he recalled.

The True Blood alum admitted he was particularly pained that Vergara’s side of the story painted him negatively. “To be painted as if I had some sort of midlife crisis, and after nine years, turned to somebody and gave them an ultimatum of, ‘Do this potentially unhealthy thing to your body, or else I’m gone’? That’s never who I was,” he lamented. Manganiello explained that he and Vergara merely grew apart, nothing more.

Sofia Vergara Felt Pressure From Joe Manganiello Wasn’t ‘Fair’

Managaniello’s version of what happened is markedly different from what Vergara revealed in an interview with Spanish newspaper El País. The Colombian actress said, “My marriage broke up because my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids and I didn’t want to be an old mom.” In another interview months later, the 52-year-old expatiated on the issue, saying:

“I totally respect where anyone wants to be a mom after 50. I didn’t think because of my career, the way I live my life, the way my marriage was, that it was fair to bring a kid to this world, and I’m not going to be able to give 100 percent.”

Vergara and Manganiello have since wasted no time moving on. The Hollywood hunk is dating TV host Caitlin O’Connor, while Vergara is in a relationship with orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman.