Joe Manganiello has revealed the harrowing details of a health crisis that left him fighting for his life for a substantial part of the last decade. The actor, known for his roles in “True Blood” and “Magic Mike,” is set to share his intense journey in his upcoming memoir titled “Bloodlines,” which will be available on 13 October 2024. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Manganiello described the emotional rollercoaster and physical challenges he faced during this difficult time.
The 49-year-old actor candidly expressed his disbelief at having survived such a formidable struggle. “I can’t believe I’m alive,” he stated, reflecting on the toll the illness took on him both physically and emotionally. His autoimmune condition began shortly after he married actress Sofía Vergara in 2015, an event that initially marked a joyous chapter in his life. However, his health issues soon turned the narrative from a fairytale into a nightmare.
Manganiello’s ordeal began with crippling abdominal pain, which spiralled into a debilitating series of symptoms. He suffered from severe digestive issues, persistent fevers, painful rashes, and debilitating fatigue that took a significant toll on his quality of life. In the midst of this struggle, he was confronted with alarming symptoms, including rectal bleeding, which emerged shortly after he tied the knot. “I was getting sicker and sicker,” he recounted.
Over seven years, Manganiello underwent multiple surgeries and lost a substantial amount of weight—over 60 lbs. Despite seeking treatment from numerous specialists, he struggled to receive a definitive diagnosis. During one particularly traumatic emergency surgery in 2016, part of his intestine was removed, leaving him reliant on an ostomy bag for his bodily functions. Manganiello did not shy away from the reality of his situation, pledging to share the truth of his experiences with a raw honesty. “I have all the scars to prove it,” he explained, disparaging the lack of understanding around autoimmune diseases, which often lead to patients navigating a confusing maze of ineffective treatments.
Having faced significant pain and uncertainty, Manganiello was prescribed a cocktail of medications designed to alleviate his symptoms, which included nerve pain relief and treatments for conditions like Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately, none of these interventions proved successful, prompting him to resort to potent painkillers and marijuana. Despite more than a decade of sobriety, he found himself grappling with the notion of altering his relationship with substances, confronting the challenge of prioritising his pain management over his commitment to sobriety.
As his health continued to decline, the stress on Manganiello’s marriage to Vergara became increasingly apparent. In his memoir, he describes a relationship that had devolved into emotional isolation, noting that Vergara would even refuse his requests for affection during his times of need. This disconnect contributed to the couple’s eventual separation, which Manganiello attributes to the overwhelming impact of his condition. He declined to pursue the idea of having children with Vergara, fearing he would not survive to raise them and not wanting to leave her with a child “who wasn’t biologically hers.”
With his marriage in tatters, Manganiello sought alternative avenues for healing. His transformative journey led him to consult various practitioners, including a medicine man in Cuba. However, it was a shaman in Santa Monica who eventually helped him confront deep-seated family trauma, suggesting that the roots of his illness were linked to generational suffering. Manganiello reflected on the painful history of his ancestry, including the loss of family members in the Armenian genocide, and described a newfound sense of freedom: “Whatever chains there were to the past suffering of my ancestors, they were completely broken.”
Today, Manganiello declares himself symptom-free after surgery to reconnect his digestive tract, expressing hope for the future. He has found love again with 37-year-old fiancée Caitlin O’Connor, who entered his life following his divorce. Moving forward, he is open to the idea of having children, remarking that the world has “opened back up” for him. “For seven years, I thought I was going to be dead the next week,” he shared, reflecting on the dramatic shift in his outlook.
As his memoir prepares to launch, Manganiello is eager to share not only his story of survival, but also the complexities that befell his relationships and mental health during this tumultuous period. With a renewed lease on life and a determination to advocate for those grappling with similar struggles, Manganiello stands as an inspiring figure, reminding us all of the resilience of the human spirit.