While Sofia Vergara spent her 53rd birthday basking in the European sun with close friends, back home in Colombia, her hometown of Barranquilla had a special surprise in store.
The city unveiled a monumental bronze statue of the actress on July 1st—standing tall and proud at nearly 25 feet.
This towering sculpture now graces the riverfront promenade of Barranquilla, paying homage to one of its most iconic daughters.
It’s not just a tribute to her fame, but also to the pride the city holds for one of its own who never forgot her roots.
A Statue That Makes a Statement
The statue, created by renowned sculptor Yino Marquez, took seven months to complete and weighs an astonishing 5.5 tonnes.
Standing at 7.5 metres (roughly 24 feet, 7 inches), the work captures the actress’s likeness in striking bronze detail.
Marquez wasn’t alone in this artistic journey—he was helped by six young artists and graduates from a local art school, making the project a communal celebration of Colombian talent.
The City’s Mayor Shows Love for Sofia
During the unveiling ceremony, Barranquilla’s mayor, Alejandro Char, addressed the crowd with heartfelt admiration for Vergara.
“Barranquilla is at your feet. Thank you for being who you are,” he said.
He praised her for staying authentic throughout her rise to stardom: “She’s never stopped being one of us—she never changed her accent.
She’s always stayed true to herself: her spirit, her joy, her determination. And look where it’s taken her—so far.”
The Sculptor Behind Two of Barranquilla’s Most Famous Women
Yino Marquez is no stranger to immortalizing Colombian icons.
He’s the same artist behind the viral Shakira statue unveiled last December on the same promenade.
That statue, however, attracted attention for a typo on the plaque, where Marquez’s name was misspelled as “MArques.”
Locals were quick to notice, with one asking, “Can someone please explain whether the artist’s last name is with an S or a Z?”
Thankfully, this time around, the plaque honoring Sofia got the spelling right.
Meanwhile, Sofia Celebrates Her 53rd in Europe
As the statue was being celebrated in Colombia, Sofia was soaking up the sun overseas.
Photos from her European getaway showed her looking radiant in a white string bikini, enjoying sweet treats, and posing with friends in what appeared to be a cozy backyard celebration.
The Modern Family star, known for her love of dessert, was seen admiring a red and white birthday cake surrounded by smaller confections—very on brand for the star with a famously sweet tooth.
Romance Rumors Still Swirling
As for her love life, things remain a bit blurry.
While Sofia had a playful moment earlier this year with NFL legend Tom Brady, insiders now say he finds the actress “too old” for anything serious—she’s six years his senior.
More recently, Sofia has been linked to entrepreneur Doug Chabbott.
He even shared a birthday tribute on social media, posting a cozy snapshot of the two with the words “happy birthday” written across it.
The duo has been spotted dancing in Cannes, cuddling in Rome, and even attending the Monaco Grand Prix together—fueling ongoing speculation that they might be more than just friends.
From Barranquilla to Beverly Hills
While Sofia now resides in a luxurious Tuscan-style mansion in Los Angeles, her heart—and now a massive statue—remain firmly rooted in Barranquilla.
Whether she comments on the tribute or not, there’s no denying her impact both at home and abroad.
And as she continues to dominate headlines, charm fans, and redefine stardom on her own terms, Barranquilla will proudly boast: Sofia Vergara is one of us.