5 Facts About Mariska Hargitay, the Emmy-Winning Star of ‘Law & Order: SVU’

While Mariska Hargitay is best known for her iconic role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, her life extends far beyond the small screen. At 55, she is a devoted wife, a mother of three, and a passionate activist.

For over two decades, Mariska has expertly balanced her demanding career with her family life. Yet, as she shared with Closer Weekly in June 2018, it’s not always as effortless as it seems. “I look at my life now and think, I’m on a TV show, I run a foundation, I run a household, I’m a mom, I’m a wife, I’m a lot of things. I’m learning to be present with where I am,” she explained. “The truth is we have to live the journey, right? That’s what I’ve learned.”

Here are five intriguing facts about Mariska Hargitay that you might not know:

1. My Mother Was More Than a Bombshell

Mariska was in the car when her mother, Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield, tragically died in a car crash at the age of 34 in 1967. Despite the tragedy, Mariska chooses to remember her mother for the incredible person she was. “My mother was this amazing, beautiful, glamorous sex symbol,” she told People in March 2018. “But people didn’t know that she played the violin, had a 160 IQ, had five kids, and loved dogs.”

2. I Met My Husband on the ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Set

Mariska first met her husband, Peter Hermann, when he guest-starred on Law & Order: SVU in 2002. “We instantly clicked,” Mariska shared. Their first date was at a church service, and she knew right away he was the one.

3. I’m a Proud Mom

Mariska is incredibly proud of her family. “Our family is so perfect, or at least perfect for me,” she gushed. She and Peter have three children: August, 13; Amaya, 8; and Andrew, 7. “Together we’re just this whole, happy, joyful, chaotic, crazy unit. I’ve never known anything that was more right.”

4. I’m Now the Star of TV’s Longest-Running Drama

As SVU began its 21st season in fall 2019, it surpassed Gunsmoke to become the longest-running drama series in television history. “I’m deeply proud to be a part of this groundbreaking show,” Mariska said. “And humbled to make television history.”

5. I’m All About Helping Others

In 2004, Mariska founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. “Our mission is to transform society’s response to these issues and end this violence forever,” she explained. “We are paving the way for innovative approaches to treating trauma.”

Mariska Hargitay’s dedication to her family, her career, and her advocacy work makes her a truly remarkable individual, far beyond her portrayal of Olivia Benson.