There’s no denying that Sofía Vergara knows how to make a splash, whether it’s on the big screen or in her personal life. The beloved Modern Family star has been busy showing off her blossoming romance with her new boyfriend, Dr. Justin Saliman, all over social media. After her split from Joe Manganiello, Sofía seems to have found a fresh start—and she’s not shy about sharing it with the world.
What Led to Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello’s Breakup?
Back in 2015, Sofía tied the knot with Joe Manganiello in a fairytale wedding that had everyone talking. But life doesn’t always go according to plan, and in July 2023, the couple announced their decision to part ways. It wasn’t an easy choice, but they handled it with grace and mutual respect.
“We have made the difficult decision to divorce,” they shared in a joint statement to Page Six. “As two people who love and care for one another deeply, we kindly ask for respect for our privacy as we navigate this new chapter in our lives.”
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For Sofía, this wasn’t her first rodeo when it came to relationships and marriage. Before Joe, she was married to Joe Gonzalez from 1991 to 1993, and they welcomed a son, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, into the world. In a candid interview with El País in January 2024, Sofía opened up about why her marriage to Manganiello didn’t work out.
“My marriage ended because my husband was younger and wanted to start a family,” she explained. “I, on the other hand, didn’t want to become an older mom. I feel like it wouldn’t be fair to the child. While I respect anyone’s decision to do that, it just wasn’t right for me anymore.”
She added, “I had my son at 19, and now he’s 32. I’m ready to be a grandmother, not a mother. I’m almost in menopause—it’s the natural progression of life. When my son becomes a father, I’ll gladly step in and help out with the baby for a while. But then, I’ll hand him back and continue living my life. That’s what I need to do.”
How Sofía Vergara Met Dr. Justin Saliman
Just a few months after her split from Joe Manganiello, Sofía started seeing Dr. Justin Saliman, a charming orthopedic surgeon. Their first encounter happened in October 2023, thanks to a well-planned blind date set up by mutual friends. It turns out Sofía wasn’t walking into this blind date completely blind—her friends had done their homework.
“They were introduced by mutual friends, so Sofía wasn’t going in totally unaware,” a source revealed to Life & Style. “He was vetted, so to speak. Justin made a great impression right off the bat by showing up to their first date with flowers and her favorite champagne. That’s the kind of guy she deserves!”
Getting to Know Dr. Justin Saliman
Dr. Justin Saliman isn’t just any guy—he’s a talented orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint-preserving treatments for shoulder, hip, and knee injuries. After completing a sports medicine fellowship at Stanford University, he went on to invent a revolutionary meniscus repair device for the startup Ceterix Orthopaedics, Inc. If you ask me, that’s pretty impressive!
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According to his bio on Doc’s Health, “Dr. Saliman’s special interests include minimally invasive devices, implants, and techniques to repair injured or degenerative joints. His current focus is on developing innovative methods that reduce pain, restore anatomy, and improve function in the shoulder, hip, and knee.”
When Sofía revealed she had undergone knee surgery in April 2024, Justin stepped up to the plate and supported her through her recovery. In true Sofía fashion, she posted a lighthearted yet heartfelt photo of Justin tending to her knee on Instagram Stories.
“If you ever get major knee surgery, make sure you get a handsome doctor who will stay with you that night!” she joked in the caption. “Luv u Dr @jdsaliman.”
Since then, the couple has been spotted enjoying date nights together, proving that they’re more than just a casual fling. An insider told Life & Style in August 2024, “Sofía’s living her best life. She’s finally spending time with her friends after being in a relationship with someone who wasn’t always supportive.”
“Sofía was always there for Joe, taking care of him, while his career didn’t take off the way it did when they first met. I think he felt threatened by her success and her zest for life,” the source added.
