
Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up… in a small city in Colombia. That’s a world apart from the background of her husband Jay: “We’re very different. Jay’s from the city. He has big business. I come from a small village. Very poor but very, very beautiful. It’s the number one village in all Colombia for all the... What’s the word?” Jay chimes in, “Murders.” “Yes,” says Gloria, “the murders.”
Living… in a very different place than where she grew up. Gloria now lives in a sprawling home in suburban Los Angeles with her second husband, Jay Pritchett, and her son from her first marriage, Manny. After divorcing Javier Delgado she met Jay, an older, wealthy American who was himself divorced. Gloria adapted quickly to life as an American trophy wife. She has developed an unapologetic taste for the finer things, saying it’s because of her “humble” upbringing.
Profession… stay-at-home mom. Though Jay would say Gloria’s profession is to go around spending his money.
Interests… shopping for shoes, bras, dresses – of which she has a staggeringly large collection. She likes to spend time with Jay and cares a great deal for Manny, who’s still her “baby” though he’s entering his teen years. Gloria wants him to grow into his own man without compromising his passionate, sensitive nature.
Relationship Status… married to Jay, a man from a different culture, country, and generation. Though they often have their disagreements, Jay and Gloria get along well and love each other. She genuinely likes the whole package: “Jay, you look so strong and sexy. Like an Olympic wrestler, but with money.”
Challenge… adapting to life in the extended Pritchett-Dunphy family. Gloria does not feel entirely accepted at times, suspecting (correctly) that Claire, Jay’s daughter who is roughly the same age as Gloria, originally thought Gloria was a “gold digger.” The crux of this challenge is not just to be accepted, but to feel accepted too.
Personality… loud, outspoken, and feisty. Gloria knows what she wants and how to get it. She is good-natured, fun-loving, and compassionate, but also extremely prideful and at times manipulative. All together, Gloria is full of passion and zest for life.