Joe Manganiello Reveals Health Struggle Behind Marriage Crisis

Actor Joe Manganiello revealed that a serious illness affected his health and marriage to Sofía Vergara, describing years of pain, surgeries and uncertainty in his memoir Bloodlines, released in the United States on October 13. He said the condition shaped his personal life and recovery.

According to Clarin, Manganiello experienced symptoms after his 2015 wedding, including abdominal pain, fever, fatigue and weight loss. Doctors later removed part of his intestine in 2016 after extensive medical evaluations, while treatments for Crohn's disease and colitis did not provide a definitive diagnosis.

"I can't believe I'm alive. I feel like I've been born again," said Joe Manganiello, actor.

Manganiello said his memoir describes the medical crisis that lasted for much of the previous decade and included multiple procedures. He also discussed the impact of the illness on his emotional state and relationship with Vergara.

"I have all the scars that prove it. Autoimmune diseases are the catch-all drawer for everything doctors don't understand," said Joe Manganiello, actor.

The actor said he used pain treatments during the most difficult period and that his health struggles affected his sobriety. He said he had maintained sobriety for 13 years before prioritizing medical needs.

"I didn't feel like I deserved to say I was sober, but I had to prioritize the pain and illness," said Joe Manganiello, actor.

Manganiello described his marriage during the illness period in his memoir, saying the relationship became "devoid of any kind of emotion" as they faced difficult circumstances.

He later underwent another operation to reconnect his digestive tract and said he no longer needs medication or experiences symptoms from the condition. He also wrote about adopting a chihuahua named Bubbles during a critical period.

"I went from being the patient to being the caregiver," said Joe Manganiello, actor.

The actor said the pet gave him a new sense of purpose during a period when he had considered ending his life and decided to remove his firearm.

"Things were said and published about me that were false," said Joe Manganiello, actor.

Manganiello said disagreements about having children also played a role in the end of his marriage. He said fears related to his health influenced his decision during attempts at in vitro fertilization.

"For seven years I thought I was going to die the week after. The world has opened up again for me," said Joe Manganiello, actor.

Sofía Vergara had previously said differences over motherhood contributed to the separation. After Manganiello's memoir drew public attention, Vergara shared a social media post about narcissistic behavior that many users linked to the dispute, although she did not mention him.

"I didn't feel like I deserved to say I was sober, but I had to prioritize the pain and illness," said Joe Manganiello, actor.