Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for her work in Olivia Benson on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She is 61 years old as of 2025. Here we bring information about her personal life and career.
Husband, Children & Parents
As per media information, she is married now. Her husband’s name is Mr. Peter Hermann, who is also an actor. She married on August 28, 2004, in Santa Barbara, California.
On June 28, 2006, she had a son through an emergency C-section. In April 2011, she and her husband adopted a baby girl and were present at her birth.
Later, in October 2011, they adopted a baby boy who was also born that same year. His older son’s name is August Miklos Friedrich Hermann.
Her biological father’s name is Mr. Nelson Sardelli. In 2025, she revealed that Mickey Hargitay was not her real father. She said her biological father is Nelson Sardelli, who dated her mother, Jayne Mansfield, in 1963.
She found out who her real father was in her 20s. She met Nelson Sardelli for the first time when she was 30 years old. She has six siblings named Jayne Marie Mansfield, Zoltan Hargitay, Tony Cimber, Tina Hargitay, Mickey Hargitay Jr., and Venico Cimber.
| Full Name | Mariska Magdolna Hargitay |
| Husband’s Name | Peter Hermann (m. 2004) |
| Children | 3 Including August Miklos Friedrich Hermann |
| Father’s Name | Mr. Nelson Sardelli (Biological) & Mickey Hargitay |
| Mother’s Name | Jayne Mansfield |
| Siblings | Jayne Marie Mansfield, Zoltan Hargitay, Tony Cimber, Tina Hargitay, Mickey Hargitay Jr., Venico Cimber |
Early Life & Educational Details
Her real name is Mariska Magdolna Hargitay. She was born on 23 January 1964 in Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, California, United States. She is 61 years old as of 2025.
Her first and middle names are Hungarian and linked to Mary Magdalene. After their mother passed away, she and her brothers were raised by Mickey Hargitay and his third wife, Ellen Siano.
While studying at Marymount High School, a Catholic school, Hargitay took part in cheerleading, sports, student council, and theater. She loved acting and joined UCLA after finishing high school in 1982.
In 1982, she was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA. She studied at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and was part of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
She left before finishing her degree and later trained at the Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles.
Height, Weight, Hair & Eyes
As per media reports, she is 5.8ft (1.72m) in height, and her weight is approximately 55 to 60 kg. She has white and brown hair, and her eyes are brown.
Net Worth, Religion & Ethnicity
According to the media information, her current net worth is approximately $100 million from all of her income sources as of 2025. She believes in Christianity. She was raised as a Catholic. She has American White Ethnicity.
Acting Career
After winning the Miss Beverly Hills USA title, she took part in the Miss California USA pageant the next year. In 1984, she was featured in Ronnie Milsap’s music video “She Loves My Car,” which was the first country video shown on MTV.
She is best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU. In 2011, she received a special alumni award from UCLA and was honored at their graduation ceremony.
In 2013, she got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2025, she was named to TIME’s first-ever Philanthropy 100 list for her charitable work.
Content Source – Google & Social Media
Image Source – Her Instagram
