Early Life and Education of Sofía Vergara: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Sofía Vergara. A timeline of key moments.

Sofía Vergara is a highly acclaimed Colombian-American actress, television producer, and entrepreneur, best known for her iconic portrayal of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the hit sitcom Modern Family. Her performance earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, cementing her status as one of television's most recognizable stars. Before achieving massive success in the United States, Vergara began her career as a model and television host in Latin America. Beyond acting, she has successfully built a business empire, establishing herself as a savvy entrepreneur with ventures in fashion, beauty, and talent management. Her transition from a breakout star to one of the highest-paid actresses in television history highlights her enduring influence in entertainment. Additionally, she has served as a prominent judge on America's Got Talent, further expanding her presence in popular culture. Vergara is widely celebrated for her charisma, comedic timing, and her role as a trailblazer for Latinas in Hollywood.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 10, 1972: Birth of Sofía Vergara

On July 10, 1972, the renowned Colombian and American actress and television personality Sofía Margarita Vergara Vergara was born.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Enactment of Louisiana Embryo Law

In 1986, the state of Louisiana passed legislation classifying embryos as juridical persons, a legal status that grants embryos the unique right to sue or be sued, which became a focal point in later litigation in 1986 and beyond.

1990: Marriage to Joe Gonzalez

In 1990, at the age of 18, Sofía Vergara married her high-school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez.

September 16, 1991: Birth of Manolo

On September 16, 1991, Sofía Vergara gave birth to her son, Manolo, in Colombia.

1992: Look of the Year Competition and Modeling Breakthrough

In 1992, Sofía Vergara won the Look of the Year contest in Colombia and participated in the International Finals in New York. While she did not win the final competition, the exposure served as a catalyst for her professional modeling career across major cities including New York, Miami, and London, ultimately leading to her employment with the television network Univision.

1993: Divorce from Joe Gonzalez

The marriage between Sofía Vergara and Joe Gonzalez ended in divorce in 1993.

1996: The Murder of Rafael Vergara

In 1996, Sofía Vergara's older brother, Rafael, was murdered by a Colombian cartel, a tragic event that deeply impacted her family and later served as a primary emotional influence for her portrayal of Griselda Blanco.

1998: Tragic Loss of Rafael Vergara

In 1998, Sofía Vergara's older brother, Rafael, was tragically murdered in Colombia during a failed kidnapping attempt, a devastating event that prompted Vergara to leave the country for the United States.

2000: Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis

In 2000, at the age of 28, Sofía Vergara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She subsequently underwent surgery to remove her thyroid and received radioiodine therapy, ultimately making a full recovery and managing the condition with medication.

May 9, 2011: Deportation of Julio Vergara

On May 9, 2011, Sofía Vergara's younger brother, Julio, was deported from the United States to Colombia following an arrest in April 2011, marking a difficult period involving his longtime struggle with drug addiction.

April 2012: Guest Appearance in Vida con Toty

In April 2012, Sofía Vergara made an appearance in her son Manolo's web series titled Vida con Toty, which was hosted on the platform YouTube.

2012: Engagement to Nick Loeb

After dating for two years, Sofía Vergara and her boyfriend Nick Loeb announced their engagement in 2012.

May 23, 2014: End of engagement to Nick Loeb

On May 23, 2014, Sofía Vergara announced that she had called off her engagement to Nick Loeb.

December 2014: United States Citizenship

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in December 2014, Sofía Vergara announced that she had officially become a United States citizen after achieving a perfect score on her citizenship examination.

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November 21, 2015: Marriage to Joe Manganiello

On November 21, 2015, Sofía Vergara married Joe Manganiello in a ceremony held in Palm Beach, Florida.

December 2016: Initiation of Louisiana Right-to-Life Lawsuit

In December 2016, a legal case was filed in Louisiana that sought to establish rights for the embryos produced by Sofía Vergara, naming the embryos themselves as the plaintiffs in a right-to-life action.

March 2017: Legal Settlement with Venus Concept

In March 2017, Sofía Vergara finalized a settlement agreement with Venus Concept following a dispute over the company's unauthorized use of her likeness, which she argued misleadingly suggested she was a brand endorser for their beauty products.

August 2017: Dismissal of Louisiana Embryo Lawsuit

In August 2017, a judge in Louisiana dismissed a lawsuit involving Sofía Vergara's cryopreserved embryos, ruling that the court lacked proper jurisdiction over embryos that were originally conceived in California.

2017: Conclusion of Embryo Legal Dispute

By 2017, the protracted legal conflict regarding the custody and status of embryos Vergara had frozen during her previous relationship reached its conclusion after several years of court challenges.