Sofía Vergara is an open book.
And as she enters a new chapter following her divorce from Joe Manganiello, the Modern Family alum is reflecting on whether she felt empowered when she shared their marriage ended because he wanted to have a child together and she did not.
"Yes," Sofía told People for its Beautiful Issue released May 1. "There's things in life that might sound like good ideas, but they're not. I was a mother already. I know what it means to be a good mother or to try to be the best mother that you can, and that takes a lot of sacrifices, takes a lot of energy."
The actress, who is mom to 32-year-old son Manolo from a previous relationship, welcomed him when she was 19. And Sofía, now 51, knew she didn't want to start her motherhood journey all over again.
"Nowadays, thanks to science, women can actually have babies older," she continued. "Before, nature for some reason tells your body at 50 you are in menopause, it's time for you to be done with that. There is a reason why nature is doing that."
"But that's for me, and I totally respect where anyone wants to be a mom after 50," she added. "I didn't think because of my career, the way I live my life, the way my marriage was, that it was fair to bring a kid to this world, and I'm not going to be able to give 100 percent."
Sofía's comments come less than four months after she first detailed the reason for her split from Joe.
"My marriage broke up because my husband was younger," she told Spanish newspaper El País in January, "he wanted to have kids and I didn't want to be an old mom."
The Magic Mike actor, 47, and the Griselda star announced their breakup last summer after nearly eight years of marriage and finalized their divorce earlier this year.
While Joe has since gone public with his romance with Caitlin O'Connor, Sofía is playing coy about her relationship status—telling People she's "maybe" dating someone despite appearing to recently go Instagram official with Justin Saliman.
Then again, she knows just how difficult having a relationship in the public eye can be.
"In the public, everything gets so exaggerated," Sofía added in a video for the magazine. "Everything sometimes gets not interpreted the right way. So life is already hard. Having relationships is hard. Problems are hard. And then to see it out there and be completely changed, you want to be like, ‘What is going on?' But you just get used to it. It is what it is. It comes with being famous, so you can't complain that much."
However, she's made it clear what she wants in a partner—telling the outlet she's looking for someone with "health, money, fun," their own kids, and who is in their late 40s to early 50s. And Sofía has learned a lot about love throughout the years.
"It's tricky," she shared. "You never know what the future is going to bring. You need to always give the best that you can, be the best person to the other person. Be there for them when they need you, when they're going through the hardest time. Hopefully that will one day come back to you."
To look back Sofía and Joe's relationship, keep reading.
The A-list couple stun at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars Party in Beverly Hills on March 12.
Vergara and Manganiello enjoy a romantic getaway to Italy in the summer of 2022.
The two tour the stunning Italian countryside.
Vergara gets support from her hubby and son on set during the final day of filming Modern Family in 2020.
The duo celebrate Valentine's Day 2020 with a sizzling Instagram pic.
Manganiello and Vergara attend the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards in L.A. in January 2020.
The duo celebrate New Year's Eve on Dec. 31, 2019.
The True Blood alum holds his lady tight while celebrating her 47th birthday in July 2019.
The couple shares an adorable photo while celebrating Valentine's Day 2019.
Vergara presents her other half with The Shooting Star award during the 2019 Maui Film Festival in June 2019 in Wailea, Hawaii.
The famous couple got spooky with Sofia Vergara's son Manolo for Halloween 2018.
The duo got all dressed up for a night on the town.
We just want to find someone that looks at us like these two look at each other.
It's a love story, we're so glad they said YES!
The couple enjoyed a much needed vacay together.
Their love for each other is undeniable!
It's no secret that this Hollywood couple shines in everything they do, especially together.
Sofia Vergara threw her husband the ultimate Coachella-themed 40th Birthday Bash.
They are the definition of color-coordinated couple goals.
According to a source, "They work out together, watch football together, go out to eat and to movies."
Whether it is the 4th of July or New Years Eve, this happy couple is celebrating together.
Not sure what we love more: This beautiful couple or the stunning view behind them.
"Joe makes Sofia feel like she is the most important woman in the world," says our E! insider.
Cutest Couple on the Carpet
Why Netflix & chill when you can get dressed up and attend the Solo: A Star Wars Movie premiere together?
"I've never seen two people so truly in love. The way they talk to each other, touch each other—it's incredible," said a friend of the couple.
Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello said "I do" on November 21, 2015.
According to a friend of the couple, "She thinks he's gorgeous and sexy and she can't get enough of him. He is the nicest guy in the world and treats her like a queen. He's everything."
Joe Manganiello popped the question to Sofia Vergara on December 25, 2014.
Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara made their official red carpet debut as a couple at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens world premiere.
The power couple was first confirmed to be dating in July 2014.