Full Breakdown
Sofia Vergara Confirms Relationship with Businessman Douglas Chabbott
5/10/2026, 10:54:39 PM
Background: Divorce from Joe Manganiello and Desire for a Partner
Sofia Vergara ended her seven-year marriage to actor Joe Manganiello over disagreements about having children. In a January 2024 interview, she said Manganiello wanted more children while she did not want to become an “old mom.” She later added she “needs a husband… a partner,” and is open to meeting people but not using dating apps.
Timeline of Key Events
Key dates: 2023 – separation from Manganiello; 2024 – divorce finalized; February 2024 – interview about wanting a partner; early 2025 – rumors of a relationship with Douglas Chabbott; December 2025 – Instagram post confirming the romance; May 7 2026 – Vergara celebrates her Hollywood Walk of Fame star while fans note her happiness with Chabbott.
Data & Statistics
Vergara is 53; Chabbott is 39, a 14-year age gap. She has 35.4 million Instagram followers. Chabbott is VP of Dasan Inc., works in luxury jewelry and design, and studied at Babson College. Vergara’s earnings rank her among the highest-paid female actors, supporting her claim she “won’t date anyone earning less money than she does.”
Official Statements & Responses
Vergara outlines three principles for dating after divorce. She emphasizes financial compatibility, preferring partners whose earnings match or exceed hers. She seeks a committed partnership, not a casual fling, noting she “needs a husband… a partner.” Finally, she cites differing views on parenthood as the reason her marriage ended, saying she does not want to become an older mother.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I prefer to date someone who is financially on a similar level to me or more.” — Sofia Vergara
- “Now I need a husband. No, I don't need a husband. I want one. It doesn't even have to be a husband. A partner,” — Sofia Vergara
- “My marriage broke up because my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids and I didn't want to be an old mom. I feel like it's not fair to the baby. I respect whoever does it, but that's not for me anymore.” — Sofia Vergara
- “I'm open to having fun and meeting people.” — Sofia Vergara
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the divorce timeline: one cites a 2024 finalization, another mentions only the 2023 split. Rumors of the Vergara-Chabbott romance surfaced in early 2025, but the couple confirmed the relationship in December 2025, leaving a gap in public knowledge about their interim interactions.
Why It Matters
Vergara’s high-profile romance underscores shifting norms for age-gap relationships, especially for women over 50. Her focus on financial parity challenges traditional gender expectations in celebrity dating. Public interest reflects broader cultural debates about agency, partnership expectations, and the scrutiny faced by prominent figures after divorce.