People of my generation have a clear image of the first image of Sofia Vergara in our lives: a 16 or 17-year-old girl on the beach who wants a soda, but the distance that separates her from her desire is the boiling sand. She decides to go for it and, step by step, leaves the things she has on the ground: a scarf, a book, her T-shirt and her shorts. Until she is left in her bikini. That scene, filmed back in 1989 on the beaches of Cartagena, not only remained in the memory of Colombians but became one of the highlights of the history of advertising in Colombia.

Sofia marked our existence. Since then, she seems to have always lived "the best moment of her life". The talented actress has not stopped growing, becoming one of the most representative figures of Latin culture in the United States and the world.

Sofia Vergara has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role as the infamous drug trafficker Griselda Blanco in the series "Griselda."

This is a new milestone in her career, because while she has taken the fact of her exuberant beauty in stride, to everyone it is a demonstration that she is more than just a "pretty face".

With Griselda, she took on the challenge of dramatic and challenging roles, with ethical complexities such as her dedication to drug trafficking and far from the comic characters that made her known worldwide.

This nomination is just one more in her impressive list of accolades, which includes four Emmy Award nominations, a SAG Award alongside the cast of Modern Family and several Golden Globe nominations for her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in that award-winning series.

From the Caribbean to the world

Sofia was born twice. The first in Barranquilla, in 1972, and the second in Cartagena in 1989 when she rose to fame. That Pepsi commercial marked the beginning of a career that few imagined would go so far. Vergara has stood out for her charisma and beauty.

That Pepsi commercial not only made her recognized in Colombia, but also demonstrated her naturalness in front of the cameras, a characteristic that would accompany her throughout her career. From that moment on, she began to receive offers as a model and presenter, consolidating her position in the national market.

Despite her success, it should be noted that Sofia is an ordinary human being who has had to face hard times in her life.

In 1998, her older brother, Rafael, was murdered in Barranquilla, an event that led the family to move to Miami in search of a more secure future. In the United States, Sofia began to build a new stage of her career. As host of the show "Fuera de Serie", she toured different countries, gaining popularity among the Hispanic community. Her charisma and professionalism opened doors for her in a much more competitive market.
In addition, in 2000, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which put her in a complex situation. At the age of 28, and with a career on the rise, she underwent surgery to remove her thyroid gland and began follow-up treatment. This episode marked her life, but also inspired her to raise awareness of the disease and support health-related causes.

Jump to Hollywood

Sofia Vergara soon caught the attention of Hollywood. Her charisma, combined with her talent and distinctive Colombian accent, helped her stand out in an industry known for its cultural and linguistic barriers.

After roles in films such as Big Trouble (2002) and Chasing Papi (2003), she got her big break with Modern Family in 2009. As Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Sofia won over global audiences and received multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. Her character defied stereotypes, presenting a powerful, warm and complex Latina woman.

We all remember that scene in Modern Family that is already a classic pop culture moment in the United States; after complaining because she has to translate everything in her head before speaking and that's why many people make fun of her, she finishes off with a phrase that portrays every single Latino living in this country: "Do you even know how smart I am in Spanish?"

But that is not her only facet. Sofia has established herself as a successful entrepreneur. With her own clothing line at Kmart, perfumes and collaborations with brands like CoverGirl and Head & Shoulders, she has created a personal brand that goes beyond the screen. Her focus on business has led her to be one of the highest paid actresses on television, according to Forbes.

Explaining Vergara's success is difficult, because it is only about her beauty. She is a woman who has been able to cultivate all her talents and has shown the way to triumph in a complex society like the United States. Sofia will always live the best moment of her life. That is the lesson we have to learn.