In a candid revelation, actor Joe Manganiello has opened up about his harrowing battle with an undiagnosed autoimmune illness that he faced for seven years. The challenges he encountered are detailed in his upcoming memoir, *Bloodlines*, scheduled for release on October 13. The memoir explores not only his physical struggles but also the emotional toll these years took on his life and relationships.
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Manganiello, known for his roles in *True Blood* and *Magic Mike*, experienced significant health decline, losing around 60 pounds during this period. His ordeal included numerous hospital visits and procedures, culminating in a severe medical crisis in 2016 when he underwent emergency surgery that resulted in the removal of part of his intestine. This procedure left him reliant on an ostomy bag, profoundly altering his day-to-day experience.
Reflecting on this tumultuous time, Manganiello describes a terrifying night in the hospital he refers to as “The Night in Hell.” Feeling that he was on the brink of death and overwhelmed with pain, he grappled with the devastating reality of his condition, all while trying to protect his wife, actress Sofia Vergara, from the depth of his suffering. “What was happening to me? Sofia didn’t sign up for this,” he recalls, as he felt his physical form deteriorate into a shadow of his former self.
Despite enduring countless treatments for his condition, Manganiello found limited relief with medications typically used for conditions like Crohn’s disease and colitis. He reflects on how autoimmune diseases often remain elusive, subjecting patients to a barrage of medications without clear answers. “They start running you through this gauntlet of drugs,” he stated, highlighting the frustration faced by many in similar predicaments.
His health situation put a significant strain on his marriage to Vergara, and the couple eventually divorced in 2023. As his health struggles continued, Manganiello sought alternative paths for healing. This quest eventually took him to Cuba, where he consulted a medicine man who prescribed unconventional remedies. However, it was a shaman in Santa Monica who helped him confront deeper, generational trauma that he believes may have contributed to his illness.
Manganiello uncovered a painful family history tied to loss and suffering. His great-grandmother had endured unimaginable grief, losing nine children during the Armenian genocide, while his grandmother fought with lupus. By addressing these heavy burdens, Manganiello felt he was able to liberate himself from the chains of past trauma, a breakthrough that he credits for his recovery. “There’s not an ounce of fear in me about moving forward with my life,” he remarked.
Notably, the actor has since undergone surgery to reconnect his digestive system, and he reports being off all medications and free of symptoms—the stark contrast to the life he lived for so many years when he feared he might not have long to live. “For seven years, I thought I was going to be dead the next week,” he shared, affirming that he now feels an overwhelming sense of renewed opportunity and vitality.
*Bloodlines* serves as a narrative not just of personal health struggles but also of resilience and the pursuit of understanding one’s self and ancestry. As Manganiello’s story unfolds, it showcases the importance of confronting and healing from past traumas, emphasising that recovery is not merely about addressing the physical aspects of illness but also about addressing emotional scars.
With the publication of his memoir just around the corner, Joe Manganiello’s refreshingly honest account prompts readers to ponder the complexities of health, the impact of personal histories, and the paths to healing. The memoir will be available for purchase from October 13, promising insights into Manganiello’s journey and the lessons he has learned along the way.