Manganiello Accuses Vergara of Mocking His Health Crisis in New Memoir

Key points

• Manganiello’s memoir 'Bloodlines' details a seven-year battle with a near-fatal autoimmune disease starting after his 2015 wedding to Vergara.
• He claims Vergara 'ridiculed' him for adopting a 5-pound dog in 2019 when he was considering suicide and refused to hug him during his illness.
• Manganiello disputes Vergara’s 2024 statement that they split because he wanted kids and she did not; he says he gave up on having children due to his health risks.
• The actor underwent an emergency surgery in 2016 involving intestinal removal and an ostomy bag, losing 60 pounds in the process.
• Manganiello credits a Santa Monica shaman and subsequent surgery for his recovery, stating he is now symptom-free and off medication.
• He is currently engaged to Caitlin O’Connor and is considering having children with her.

Background

This story follows the 2023 divorce of Joe Manganiello and Sofía Vergara, who were married from 2015 to 2023. In 2024, Vergara publicly attributed the split to Manganiello’s desire for children and her unwillingness to be an 'old mom.' Manganiello’s new memoir offers a counter-narrative, framing the divorce as a result of his debilitating health issues rather than reproductive disagreements. The book, 'Bloodlines,' is scheduled for release on October 13, 2026.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six and The Daily Beast both report on the memoir’s release but emphasize different aspects of the narrative. Page Six focuses heavily on the interpersonal conflict, highlighting Manganiello’s claims that Vergara 'ridiculed' him and refused physical comfort during his illness. The Daily Beast, in contrast, frames the story primarily as a medical revelation, describing the illness as a 'mysterious autoimmune' condition that led to 'major organ amputation' and ended the marriage. While both outlets confirm the timeline of the illness (2015–2022) and the dispute over the reason for the divorce, Page Six gives more weight to the emotional allegations against Vergara, whereas The Daily Beast centers the narrative on the physical severity of the disease.

Why it matters

This memoir provides a high-profile counter-narrative to a previously publicized celebrity divorce, challenging the public record regarding the reasons for the split. It also highlights the long-term, often hidden impact of chronic autoimmune diseases on high-profile individuals, moving beyond the typical 'celebrity health crisis' narrative to detail a multi-year struggle involving organ removal and mental health struggles. The release may influence public perception of both stars and the validity of their previous public statements.

What to watch

The full release of 'Bloodlines' is scheduled for October 13, 2026. Page Six has reached out to Vergara’s representatives for comment, but no response has been reported yet. Manganiello is currently engaged to Caitlin O’Connor and has indicated he is open to having children with her, a significant shift from his previous stance.