Celebrating her 51st birthday, Sofia Vergara chose to kick off her new year in style—Italian style. Surrounded by close friends and immersed in the picturesque Italian landscape, Vergara shared a series of birthday photos with her 30 million Instagram followers. But while fans marveled at her ageless beauty, they couldn’t help but notice the absence of her husband, Joe Manganiello, sparking speculation about their marriage.

Vergara’s birthday posts captured her signature humor and zest for life. In one post, the Colombian-American actress shared a candid, makeup-free photo taken on a scenic patio with the ocean stretching out behind her. Her message to fans, translated from Spanish, was simple but telling: “Waking up here on my 51st birthday! Still healthy, with dreams, energy (though yes, my knees already hurt), but with a lot of joy to live! Thank you all for the messages!!”

The America’s Got Talent panelist took her fans along on her Italian adventure, sharing snapshots of her indulging in gelato, brunching with friends, and even being serenaded at a festive birthday dinner. Throughout, Vergara’s humor shone through, especially in her playful mention of her knees. Her admission to feeling some effects of aging resonated with fans, reminding them that even celebrities are human.

On July 9, the actress not only celebrated her birthday but also the milestone of reaching 30 million Instagram followers. With a picture of herself in a vibrant green swimsuit against a striking backdrop of the Italian coast, she expressed her gratitude to fans, writing, “30,000,000 followers!! Thank u to u all! Thank u for always being there for me! Thank u for always supporting me in everything I do!! Besos from Italy!!” Followers flooded the comments with praise for her “timeless” beauty, with fans declaring her as “the most beautiful woman in the universe.”

Celebrity friends such as Heidi Klum and Sarah Hyland also joined in with heartfelt messages, adding warmth to her online celebration. Fans, however, couldn’t ignore the absence of her husband, Joe Manganiello, from the festivities. Vergara and Manganiello, who married in 2015, have long been viewed as one of Hollywood’s power couples. Manganiello’s absence from the birthday trip led some fans to speculate on the state of their relationship. Though neither Vergara nor Manganiello has commented, the speculation persisted, with fans wondering if his absence pointed to possible strains in their marriage.

Amid the birthday festivities, Vergara’s beloved chihuahua, Bubbles, also enjoyed a moment in the spotlight. Bubbles, known for her feisty personality, turned 10, and Vergara marked the occasion with a playful Instagram post. “Feliz 10th cumpleaños my sweet, vicious Bubbles! No matter how many times u bite me, I will always love u,” she wrote, sharing an adorable picture of Bubbles in a leopard print dress, diving face-first into a pink cake topped with a flamingo. Heidi Klum chimed in with a “Happy Birthday Bubbles from auntie Heidi,” while fans humorously responded, “She bites you because you’re sweet!”

In a world where aging is often viewed with apprehension, Vergara’s Italian birthday celebration and unfiltered comments about her journey into her 50s resonated with fans. Despite the whispers about her marriage, she showcased a life full of gratitude, humor, and love, embracing both the joys and quirks of aging. As fans continue to speculate about her relationship, Vergara seems focused on celebrating life’s simple joys—friends, family, and, of course, her loyal chihuahua, Bubbles.