If you’ve ever watched Sofia Vergara on Modern Family, you know she’s basically the human embodiment of charisma. But behind the red-carpet smiles and the "Griselda" grit, her romantic life has been a rollercoaster. People always talk about her husbands, but the "ex de Sofia Vergara" list is actually a wild mix of high-school sweethearts, Hollywood hunks, and legal battles that felt more like a Netflix thriller than a sitcom.
Honestly, the way she handles these breakups is kind of iconic. She doesn’t usually wallow. She pivots. Whether it's a decade-long marriage ending or a weird lawsuit over frozen embryos, she somehow stays on top. Let’s get into the actual details of what went down with the men in her past, because it’s way more complicated than the headlines make it look.
Joe Manganiello: The Heartbreak Nobody Saw Coming
When Sofia and Joe Manganiello got together in 2014, everyone thought they were the "final boss" of celebrity couples. I mean, look at them. He’s the Magic Mike guy, she’s the highest-paid woman on TV. They met at a White House Correspondents' Dinner, and Joe allegedly waited for her to break up with her fiancé (Nick Loeb) before swooping in.
They were married for seven years. Then, in July 2023, the news dropped. They were done.
Why? Well, for a long time, the internet was guessing. In early 2024, Sofia finally spoke to the Spanish newspaper El País and got real. She said the marriage broke up because Joe was younger and wanted kids. She already has a grown son, Manolo, and basically said she didn't want to be an "old mom." She’s ready to be a grandma, not a mother again.
Joe later pushed back a bit in Men’s Journal, saying that while they did discuss kids early on, the split was more about two people growing apart. Either way, they finalized everything in February 2024. Joe moved on with actress Caitlin O'Connor, and Sofia? She kept it moving.
The Nick Loeb Saga: It Got Weird
Before Joe Manganiello, there was Nick Loeb. This wasn’t just a breakup; it was a years-long legal war. They started dating in 2010 and got engaged in 2012. By 2014, it was over.
But the "ex" drama didn't stop there.
Nick sued her. Not for money, but for embryos. While they were together, they had frozen two embryos via IVF. Nick wanted to bring them to term using a surrogate, but Sofia said no. This went to court multiple times, from California to Louisiana. Nick even wrote an op-ed in the New York Times about it.
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Finally, around 2021, a judge basically told Nick to sit down. He granted Sofia a permanent injunction, meaning Nick can’t use those embryos without her written consent. It was one of the most intense legal battles in Hollywood history, mostly because it touched on such massive ethical questions.
The First One: Joe Gonzalez
A lot of fans forget that Sofia was married way back in the 90s. She wed her high school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez, when she was just 18 in Colombia.
They had a son, Manolo, in 1991. They divorced in 1993, but they’re actually still friends. Like, "he stays at her house when he visits the U.S." kind of friends. It’s probably her most successful relationship if you measure success by lack of drama. She raised Manolo as a single mom in Miami, which is basically the foundation of her "work-hard-play-hard" attitude.
The Surgeon and the Quarterback?
After the Joe Manganiello divorce, Sofia started seeing Justin Saliman, an orthopedic surgeon. They were spotted all over LA in late 2023 and 2024. He even helped her recover from knee surgery. But at the 2025 Golden Globes, Sofia dropped a hint that she might be single again, saying she was "manifesting a boyfriend" for the new year.
Then came the Tom Brady rumors.
In the summer of 2025, photos of her and the NFL legend on a yacht in Spain set the internet on fire. Everyone wanted it to be true. Two legends! But sources close to them (and reports from TMZ) suggested it was just a "summer fling" or a casual connection. As of early 2026, it seems Sofia is enjoying her independence more than anything.
The Names You Forgot (The "Blink and You Missed It" List)
Sofia’s dating history isn’t just long marriages. There are some "Wait, they dated?" names on there:
- Tom Cruise (2005): Before he married Katie Holmes, he and Sofia were briefly a thing. Apparently, the whole Scientology vibe was a dealbreaker for her.
- Chris Paciello (1999): A Miami club owner with some... interesting legal history. It didn't last long, but it was a big deal in the Miami scene back then.
- Enrique Iglesias: There were rumors, but it was mostly just "music video energy" that never turned into a full-blown relationship.
What We Can Learn From Sofia’s Love Life
Watching Sofia navigate these relationships is actually a masterclass in boundaries. She’s very clear about what she wants. She didn't want more kids, so she didn't compromise on that, even if it meant losing a marriage to a guy like Joe Manganiello. She fought for her right to her own biological material with Nick Loeb.
Takeaways for your own life:
- Know your dealbreakers. If you don't want kids (or do), don't expect a partner to change their mind ten years in.
- Stay on good terms when possible. Her friendship with her first husband proves that not every ex has to be an enemy.
- The "Pivot" is real. Sofia usually looks better and works harder after a breakup. Success is the best revenge, but so is just being genuinely happy.
If you’re following her journey, the best thing to do is keep an eye on her Instagram. She usually "soft launches" her new partners there before the paparazzi even get the shot. For now, it looks like she’s living her best life in her "single (or maybe just dating)" era.
Check her recent interviews from the Griselda press tours for the most candid quotes on her mindset. She’s surprisingly open when she’s not being chased by cameras.
Next Step: You can look up Sofia's recent interview with El País to read her full thoughts on aging and marriage—it's way more philosophical than you'd expect.