As a couple, actors Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara make a beautiful pair. Their combined allure, fame, and affluence position them rightfully as a power couple, a title they've upheld since their marriage in 2015. Sadly, as of 2023, they've made the decision to separate.
Individually, their beauty, fame, and wealth remain undiminished, but the potency of their influence and riches pales in comparison to when they were a couple. In today's blog, we plunge into a topic close to our hearts: prenuptial agreements, the necessity for their "ironclad" nature, and the unique role such a prenup plays within this particular union.
It’s called an “ironclad” prenup for a reason
The term "ironclad" calls to mind knight's shields and armor, made from solid, impenetrable iron to protect against fiery dragons and the pointy end of arrows. Similarly, it conjures up images of hulking Civil War battleships exchanging fire in some of the most action-packed naval battles in history.
In modern parlance, ironclad is commonly used to describe prenups designed to shield one's assets from potential disputes that may arise during one's divorce. Legally binding and difficult to challenge in court, it's like a suit of armor for the finances of people like Sofia Vergara, protecting them from the financial fallout of a divorce.
Why did this particular couple need an ironclad prenup?
Joe Manganiello is a prominent Hollywood actor who has headlined a series of successful films and television shows. He possesses considerable wealth in his own regard. And yet, he was still required to sign a prenuptial agreement by his more famous former spouse.
Manganiello’s acting career began in the early 2000s, appearing in small roles in television shows such as One Tree Hill and How I Met Your Mother. His breakthrough role came in 2010 when he was cast as werewolf Alcide Herveaux in the HBO series True Blood. He has since appeared in a number of other films, including all three Magic Mike movies.
As of this writing, his net worth is reportedly $40 million. His wealth comes from his successful acting career, his business ventures, and his endorsement deals. He is one of the highest-paid actors on television, and he has also appeared in a number of high-profile commercials. He currently has 2.8 million followers on Instagram.
Joe’s former wife, Sofia Vergara, on the other hand, isn't faring poorly herself. For starters, she boasts a substantial 30.9 million followers on Instagram. With a following that could rival the population of a small country, Vergara’s Instagram isn't just a scroll-fest — it's a product showcase. Instead of sponsored posts, she uses her massive reach to showcase her own goodies.
Perhaps their respective Instagram follower counts are all you need to understand the considerable disparity between their fame and wealth. But we won’t leave it at that.
While she appeared in various films earlier in her career, it was Vergara’s role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC's beloved sitcom Modern Family that truly launched her into the realm of superstardom. During the peak of Modern Family's success, Sofia's earnings soared. She reportedly earned an impressive $500,000 per episode — for context, each season of the sitcom consists of around 22 episodes. This led to her being recognized as the "highest paid TV actress" by Forbes in 2020, having raked in a staggering $43 million that year.
In addition, she negotiated a salary of $10 million per season (or $70,000 per episode) to become part of the judges panel of America's Got Talent, adding another trophy to her cabinet of triumphs.
In 2019, she partnered with Walmart to create an inclusive and affordable clothing line for women. Then, in 2023, she unveiled her beauty brand Toty, offering a range of innovative "multi-benefit suncare solutions" in collaboration with Cantabria Labs.
With numerous successful partnerships, forays into the beauty industry, and lucrative television ventures, Sofia Vergara now has an impressive net worth of $140 million.
Evidently, the former couple is thriving independently on the financial front. However, in the realm of marriages, even seemingly equal partners must safeguard their assets. In this scenario, Ms. Vergara stood to potentially lose the most in the event of a divorce. Thus, the ironclad prenup became a necessity. Fortunately, Mr. Manganiello demonstrated his respect for her and her family law attorneys' desires by willingly signing the said prenup, ensuring a solid foundation for their union.
Should you sign an ironclad prenup?
So, when confronted with an ironclad prenup, what's the game plan? Is it time to ring the alarm bells and cancel the wedding if your soon-to-be spouse proposes such an arrangement?
The answer is no.
While an ironclad prenup might seem like an accessory reserved for the glitterati, its practicality extends to the realm of common folks as well. Just as actors like Sofia Vergara protect their assets, regular individuals can benefit from such agreements to safeguard their financial interests. It's not about the spotlight, but rather the prudent steps one can take to navigate the unpredictable seas of marriage and life.
Protect what’s yours — all Buckingham, LaGrandeur, & Williams for your family law case in Washington State. Visit our law offices in Renton, or leave us a message.