Modern Family star Sofia Vergara, celebrating her 51st birthday in Italy, is up about what it’s like to be 51 and what it’s meant for her.

Sofia Vergara, who celebrated her 51st birthday with her “best friends” on a luxury Italian vacation, poked fun at herself in an Instagram image in which she’s seen on a patio with her makeup-free, perfect skin, the ocean in the backdrop.

The Colombian-American actress captioned the image in Spanish, “Waking up here on my 51st birthday! Still healthy, with dreams and energy (my knees are already hurting), but with a great will to live! Thank you so much for your messages!!”

The lovely actress, who appears to be relatively youthful, joked about her knees and how it feels to be aging!

Celebrity friends chimed in, wishing her a happy birthday and commenting on her hilarious post. “I love you, Sofia,” writes model Heidi Klum. “I consider myself fortunate to have you in my life. Happy Birthday,” said comedian Howie Mandel, prompting him to respond, “Happy Birthday. @heidiklum is so lucky to have you in her life.”

Meanwhile, Sarah Hyland, co-star of Modern Family, just responded, “HAAAAAAAA…”

Her son, Manolo, whom she shares with ex-husband Joe Gonzalez, was among those who wished the Hot Pursuit star a happy birthday. “Te quiero mucho,” he says.

Manolo shared a charming film reel of photographs last year, beginning with a picture of herself as a toddler.

“Happy forty-ten!!!!” writes Manolo in English. I love you so much, Ma, that you will be even better in the following 40+10 years!!!!!!!”

On the hit comedy program, Jeremy Maguire, who played Joe Pritchett, the adorable son of Vergara’s Gloria, also honored his TV mom’s birthday with a cute snapshot of the two that he wrote, “Happy birthday beautiful. I will always love you!”

On July 9, the America’s Got Talent judge also announced the start of her Italian vacation by reaching 30 million Instagram followers. The post contains a lovely shot of her posing in a one-piece lime green bathing suit against a blue sky and ocean backdrop.

“30,000,000 followers!!” she writes. “Thank you very much! Thank you for always being there for me! Thank you for always believing in and supporting me in all I do!! Best wishes from Italy!!”

Many followers appreciated her timeless beauty, writing, “This woman is 25 years eternally??” and “Without a doubt, the most beautiful woman in the universe.”

The former CoverGirl model shared photos from her birthday celebrations in Italy. She can be seen enjoying gelato in a car, brunching with friends, blowing out firecracker candles on a cake, and being serenaded at her birthday dinner in other posts. Her spouse, Joe Manganiello, was conspicuously absent from the festivities. Some admirers were concerned about his absence’s impact on their marriage.

But Vergara wasn’t going to claim the day for herself. Vergara used her birthday celebrations to express love and wish her blonde chihuahua, Bubbles, a happy birthday.

“Happy 10th birthday, my sweet, vicious Bubbles!” “No matter how often you bite me, I will always love you,” she says in a July 9 post that includes a photo of Bubbles diving into a bright pink cake topped with a pink flamingo.

“Happy Birthday Bubbles from Auntie Heidi,” Heidi Klum responded, while a fan commented, “She bites you because you’re sweet!!!”

Sofia Vergara, Happy birthday, and thank you for making 51 seem so lovely!

Modern Family is one of the best sitcoms of all time, and her fiery Colombian character added so much to the show! Are you a Vergara fan? What are your favorite movies or television shows starring her?