Sofía Vergara Honored With Giant Statue in Her Hometown of Barranquilla for Her Birthday

Sofía Vergara Honored With Giant Statue in Her Hometown of Barranquilla for Her Birthday
Credit: Instagram/ @esmicolombia

Sofía Vergara turned 53, and instead of candles, she received something that will never melt. The Colombian actress and entrepreneur is now honored in her hometown with a bronze statue standing seven and a half meters tall, weighing over five tons. Installed on the Gran Malecón in Barranquilla, the sculpture was revealed by the city’s mayor, Alejandro Char, during a public celebration held on her birthday, July 10.

The unveiling ceremony placed Vergara in symbolic proximity to another famous daughter of Barranquilla, as the statue now stands just meters away from the monument of Shakira. Addressing the crowd, Mayor Char described the moment as a tribute to Vergara’s energy, her unique personality, and her pride in being from Barranquilla. “Barranquilla is at your feet, telling the entire world, thank you for being who you are, thank you for being Barranquillera,” he said. “There is no better way to celebrate Sofía’s birthday than with this beautiful work that represents her joy, her charisma, her authenticity.”

A Local Artist’s Homage to a Global Star

The artist behind the monument is Yino Márquez, a celebrated sculptor from Barranquilla who has become known for honoring Colombian cultural icons through public art. Márquez previously crafted statues of Shakira, Joe Arroyo, Pacho Galán, and Esther Forero, all displayed in prominent locations across Barranquilla and nearby Soledad.

To create the likeness of Vergara, Márquez worked for seven months with a team of thirty-five collaborators, including several students from the Escuela Distrital de Artes, where he serves as director. He began the process by studying a complete photo session of the actress in order to accurately capture her expressions and signature traits. The blue hue of the statue represents the ocean and river, while its golden skin tone and the red carpet beneath her feet reflect the colors of the Colombian flag. As a finishing touch, stars in Vergara’s hand symbolize her belonging to what Márquez describes as the “bouquet of stars” born in Barranquilla.

Sofía Vergara Built a Career That Transcended Borders

Vergara’s rise to international recognition began in the late 1990s through her work with Univisión, where she first appeared as a presenter before moving into acting. She joined the cast of several telenovelas, including the popular “Acapulco, cuerpo y alma,” but it was her performance as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the sitcom “Modern Family” that propelled her to major success in the United States. Her role in the series, which aired from 2009 to 2020, helped her become one of the most iconic comedic actresses on American television.

Throughout her career, Vergara has been recognized with four Screen Actors Guild Awards and has received nominations for both the Golden Globes and the Emmys. In 2024, she took on one of her most ambitious projects to date with the Netflix series “Griselda,” in which she portrayed Colombian drug trafficker Griselda Blanco. The project marked her return to drama and also featured her as a producer.

From Sitcoms to Startups

Outside of her acting work, Vergara has built a growing business empire. She launched her own makeup brand called Toty, partnered with major American retailers to release clothing items such as jeans, and most recently debuted a line of coffee named Dios Mío Coffee. Her ventures have allowed her to remain connected to her Colombian roots while reaching new audiences in different sectors.

The statue on the Gran Malecón stands as a new chapter in that legacy, celebrating a figure whose journey from Barranquilla to global recognition continues to inspire. While the monument may be made of bronze, its impact lies in how it reflects an entire city’s affection for one of its most recognizable voices.

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