Sofia Vergara on Not Having Kids with Ex-Husband: 'It Wasn't Fair to the Baby'

Sofia Vergara is speaking out about her decision to not have a child with ex-husband Joe Manganiello, explaining that she didn't think it was fair to the child given her age, career, and lifestyle.

Sofia Vergara has opened up about her decision not to have a child with her ex-husband, Joe Manganiello, revealing that she didn't believe it was the right choice considering her age, career, and lifestyle.

In an interview with People, the "Modern Family" star explained that the timing was never quite right for the couple to pursue parenthood together, despite Manganiello's desire to have children. Vergara, who had her first and only child, Manolo, at age 19 with her first husband, Joe Gonzalez, explained that she felt it would not be fair to bring a child into the world if she couldn't give them 100% of her attention and care.

"I was a mother already. I know what it means to be a good mother or to try to be the best mother that you can, and that takes a lot of sacrifices, takes a lot of energy," Vergara said.

Vergara also expressed her respect for women who choose to become mothers later in life but emphasized that it wasn't the right path for her.

"There’s things in life that might sound like good ideas, but they’re not," she said. "Nowadays, thanks to science, women can actually have babies older. Before, nature, for some reason, tells your body at 50 you are in menopause, it’s time for you to be done with that. There is a reason why nature is doing that."

Vergara's decision to not have children with Manganiello ultimately contributed to their divorce in April 2023.

"My marriage broke up because my husband was younger," Vergara told Spanish newspaper El País in January. "He wanted to have kids, and I didn’t want to be an old mom. I feel it’s not fair to the baby."

Despite the split, Vergara remains close with her son, Manolo, who is now 32 years old. She expressed her gratitude for having had him when she was younger, as it allowed them to grow up together.

"It is great that I had him young, because now I’m going to be 52, and he’s 32," she said. "I wish I was older sometimes, because I would’ve been more mature, more prepared to be a mother, but that was what I got and what happened."

Vergara also expressed her excitement about becoming a grandmother whenever Manolo decides to have children, stating that she believes she will be a "fun grandmother."

"I already kind of like what he does with me," Vergara said. "Manolo has a dog, and on the weekends he just drops the dog at my house. And I used to drop him at my mom’s house during the weekend so that I could at least go out every once in a while."

Moving forward, Vergara is open to dating again but has made it clear that she is not interested in having any more children. "No more kids," she said.