Sofia Vergara, the beloved Colombian-American actress and television personality, has been making headlines recently for her blossoming summer romance with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
The pair was spotted together on the luxurious Luminara superyacht in Ibiza, Spain, where they were described as “googly-eyed” over each other during a gala dinner.
Brady even requested to sit next to Vergara, sparking a frenzy online with their cozy photos.
But beyond the glitz and glamour of her high-profile relationships and Hollywood career, Sofia Vergara’s story is deeply rooted in her family, particularly her parents, Margarita Vergara de Vergara and Julio Enrique Vergara Robayo, whose lives and choices shaped her path.
Sofia Margarita Vergara Grew Up In A Lively, Close-Knit Roman Catholic Family
Born on July 10, 1972, in Barranquilla, Colombia, she was the youngest of six children, affectionately nicknamed “Toti” by her five siblings and many cousins.
Her mother, Margarita Vergara de Vergara, was a dedicated homemaker who poured her heart into raising her large family.
Her father, Julio Enrique Vergara Robayo, worked as a cattle rancher in the meat industry, providing for the family in the vibrant coastal city of Barranquilla.
Sofia’s naturally blonde hair and Italian heritage—passed down through her family—set her apart, but it was her warm, spirited personality that truly defined her.
Life in Colombia was filled with love and laughter
But Sofia Vergara and her family decided to leave Colombia and relocate to Miami, Florida, in search of a fresh start.
Margarita’s decision wasn’t just about herself—she brought Sofia and other family members along, hoping to provide them with new opportunities in the United States.
This move would prove to be a pivotal moment for Sofia, opening doors to a career she could have only dreamed of in Barranquilla.
But Sofia remained deeply connected to her roots.
The strength and stability she inherited from both Margarita and Julio would guide her through the challenges of starting over in a new country.
The decision to leave Colombia was also when, in 1998, Sofia faced a devastating tragedy when her older brother, Rafael, was murdered during an attempted kidnapping in Colombia.
The loss shook the family to its core, and the unrest in their home country made staying in Barranquilla feel unsafe.
For Sofia, moving to Miami with her family became a way to escape the turmoil and build a safer, brighter future.
In Miami, Sofia leaned on her parents’ support as she adapted to life in the United States.
It was in Miami that Sofia’s career began to take shape, but her journey to stardom started much earlier, back on a beach in Colombia.
Sofia’s Big Break Came Unexpectedly When She Was Just 17
While walking along a beach in Colombia, she was discovered by a photographer who saw something special in her.
Soon after, she was offered modeling and television opportunities.
At first, Sofia was hesitant. Raised in a conservative Catholic family, she worried about stepping into the world of show business.
It wasn’t until her Catholic schoolteachers gave her their blessing to film her first television commercial—a Pepsi ad aired across Latin America—that she felt confident enough to leap.
That Pepsi commercial was just the beginning.
Sofia’s natural charisma and striking beauty caught the attention of casting agents, and she began to land modeling gigs and minor television roles.
But her ambitions didn’t stop there.
Before moving to the U.S., Sofia had been studying dentistry at the National University of Colombia.
Just two semesters shy of graduation, she made the bold decision to leave school and pursue a full-time entertainment career. It was a risk, but one that would soon pay off.
By the time Sofia moved to Miami, she was already a young mother herself.
At 18, she married her high-school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez, in 1990.
The couple welcomed a son, Manolo, in 1991, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1993—the same year her parents parted ways.
Despite the challenges of being a single mother, Sofia was determined to provide a good life for her son.
With her mother, Margarita, by her side in Miami, she managed to juggle parenting and her growing career.
Sofia’s big break in the U.S. came in 2009 when she landed the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family.
Her portrayal of the fiery, lovable Colombian matriarch earned her widespread acclaim and four consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series from 2010 to 2013.
That same year, she took on another challenge, starring as Matron “Mama” Morton in the Broadway production of Chicago for six weeks, proving her versatility as a performer.
Sofia’s Success Didn’t Come Without Sacrifice
Leaving Colombia meant leaving behind her home and part of the life she had known.
But her parents’ influence—Margarita’s nurturing spirit and Julio’s hardworking ethos—remained with her.
Sofia often speaks fondly of her family, crediting them for keeping her grounded even as her star rose in Hollywood.
Her Italian heritage and naturally blonde hair may have made her stand out, but it was her Colombian roots and the love of her family that shaped her into the woman she is today.
In recent years, Sofia has continued to shine both on and off the screen.
She has starred in films like The Three Stooges and The Paperboy, and her vibrant personality has made her a fan favorite on both reality shows and talk shows.
Now, at 53, she’s embracing new chapters in her life, including her headline-making romance with Tom Brady.
Whether she’s stealing the spotlight in Ibiza or charming audiences as Gloria on Modern Family, Sofia Vergara remains a force to be reckoned with—a woman whose journey from Barranquilla to Hollywood was shaped by the love and lessons of her parents, Margarita and Julio.
