Sofía Vergara was honored with a special statue of herself in her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia.
On Saturday, July 12, Vergara, 53, who was born in Barranquilla in July 1972, shared several photos of the 24-foot statue via Instagram alongside an emotional message to the city she grew up in.
“Thank you to my beautiful Barranquilla for this gift!” Vergara wrote in the English translation. “I never imagined that my history, my work and my dreams would leave such a significant mark on this earth that I love, respect and long for so much. I thank Barranquilla for everything I am.”
Vergara, who starred as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family from 2009 to 2020, went on to say that she owes all she has “accomplished to the strength, the willpower and the joy” she has to her hometown.
“This statue is not only in my honor, but in honor of the Barranquillero people and in honor of my family and friends who have always been with me,” she gushed. “I love them so much! Toty ❤️🇨🇴.”
According to The Latin Times, the statue, which was sculpted by local artist Yino Márquez, was unveiled on Vergara’s 53rd birthday on Thursday, July 10.
“Barranquilla surrenders at your feet, telling the whole world: thank you for being who you are, thank you for being a Barranquillera,” Mayor Alejandro Char said during the statue’s unveiling, per the outlet. “What better way to celebrate Sofia’s birthday than by honoring her with this beautiful work that represents her joy, charisma, authenticity and unique spirit.”
While Vergara was not at her statue unveiling, she spent the weekend with friends in Sardinia, Italy.
“Noche de fiestica ❤️,” Vergara wrote via Instagram on Sunday, July 13, alongside several photos of her with friends, including Anastasia Soare, Valentina Micchetti, Norvina, Luis Balaguer and her son, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara. (Sofía shares Manolo, 33, with ex-husband Joe Gonzalez.)
Sofía’s birthday weekend comes shortly after she sparked romance rumors with Tom Brady after they were spotted aboard Ritz-Carlton’s new superyacht, the Luminara, earlier this month.
While neither Sofía nor Brady have publicly commented on their relationship status themselves, after a report surfaced claiming the former NFL player thinks Sofía is “too old for him,” a rep for Brady, 47, said he “would never” say such a thing.
“Tom never said, nor would he ever say anything like this,” his rep told Us Weekly on Thursday, July 10. “It is pure fiction.”
