When Joe Manganiello released his memoir Bloodlines on October 13, he revealed a deeply personal account of his seven-year battle with autoimmune-related illnesses.
While much of the attention surrounding the book has centered on his reflections about his marriage to Sofía Vergara, the memoir also tells the story of a life-threatening health crisis and the road to recovery that followed.
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In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Manganiello recalled being hospitalized in 2016 with severe pain and unexplained bleeding as doctors struggled to determine the cause of his worsening condition.
During the medical emergency, Vergara remained by his side and was asked to make critical decisions while he was under anesthesia.
Manganiello writes that she authorized emergency surgery to remove his large intestine, a procedure he says ultimately saved his life.
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Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the actor became emotional while reflecting on that period and openly credited Vergara for helping him survive. He acknowledged that despite the difficulties that later emerged in their relationship, he remains grateful for the decision she made during his health crisis.
In Bloodlines, Manganiello also discusses the emotional challenges he faced throughout his recovery and shares his perspective on the breakdown of the marriage.
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Manganiello and Vergara married in 2015, announced their separation in 2023 and finalized their divorce in 2024.
Today, the actor says he is symptom-free, no longer requires medication and hopes his memoir will inspire readers with a message of resilience and survival.
