They decided to go their separate ways Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganielloafter seven years of marriage, according to Page Six, which also hosted a joint statement from the former couple.

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“We made the difficult decision to separate. As two people who love and care deeply for each other, we kindly ask that you respect our privacy at this time as we enter this new phase of our lives,” they note.

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Although the reason for their separation is not yet known, a source close to them revealed that they had recently started to drift apart, when “the true versions of themselves” began to be revealed.

The split announcement comes just days after the actress’ birthday, which she celebrated in Italy with friends. “Joe is a big kid. He likes playing Dungeons & Dragons, loves wrestling, video games, superhero movies, comics, concerts, American football. He pursues fun. He likes to be out and have a good time,” said the same source.

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The “Modern Family” star and “America’s Got Talent” judge posted photos and videos from her summer vacation in Italy. Another source said: “I’ve never seen two people so in love, so passionate and so happy. They were always smiling and in love. There was a magical glow above their heads. They are both real people and down to earth.”

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The same man points out that the couple’s flame has died down over the years. “Sure they love and respect each other, but when that initial passion fades and other issues get in the way, then small differences become bigger.”

The former couple were last seen together last month in New Jersey, USA. Joe Manganiello met the actress through her co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in 2014. He proposed to her in December of that year and they tied the knot in November 2015. The wedding took place in Palm Beach, Florida, in the presence of 400 guests.

Sofia Vergara gave birth to her son, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, in Colombia in 1991. At the time, she was 18 years old and married to her high school sweetheart, Joe Gonzalez, who divorced two years later.

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“I was very young when I broke up with his father, so I raised him trying to set the best example and give him the best I could,” the actress told People in 2016, adding that she finds it “very rewarding” to she hears compliments about her son. “When people compliment me on him, on how good-natured, how charming, funny and wise he is, it makes all the sacrifices worth it.”

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