Early Life and Education of Mariska Hargitay: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Mariska Hargitay. A timeline of key moments.

Mariska Hargitay is a highly acclaimed American actress, producer, and philanthropist best known for her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999. This role has made her one of the highest-paid actresses on television and earned her numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2013, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beyond acting, Hargitay is recognized for her philanthropic endeavors and activism.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

January 23, 1964: Mariska Hargitay Born

On January 23, 1964, Mariska Magdolna Hargitay was born. She would later become an American actress, producer, and philanthropist, known for her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

June 29, 1967: Mansfield's Death

On June 29, 1967, Jayne Mansfield died in a car accident, leaving a three-and-a-half-year-old Mariska with a scar on her head. Her brothers also survived with minor injuries.

1982: Miss Beverly Hills USA

In 1982, Mariska Hargitay was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA after graduating from high school.

August 28, 2004: Marriage to Peter Hermann

On August 28, 2004, Mariska Hargitay married actor Peter Hermann in Santa Barbara, California. They met on the set of Law & Order: SVU.

2004: Joyful Heart Foundation Founded

In 2004, Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization providing support to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking.

June 28, 2006: Birth of Son, August

On June 28, 2006, Mariska Hargitay gave birth to her son, August, by an emergency caesarean section.

September 2006: Father's Death

In September 2006, Mariska Hargitay's father, Mickey Hargitay, passed away from multiple myeloma in Los Angeles at the age of 80.

2006: Maternity Leave from SVU

In 2006, during the last months of her pregnancy, Mariska Hargitay took maternity leave from SVU.

2010: Identified as Christian

In a 2010 interview with Good Housekeeping, Mariska Hargitay stated that she considers herself a Christian.

April 2011: Joyful Heart Foundation Raised $20 Million

As of April 2011, Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation had raised $20 million and helped approximately 5,000 survivors.

April 2011: Adoption of Daughter, Amaya

In April 2011, Mariska Hargitay and her husband adopted a baby girl named Amaya, attending her birth.

September 27, 2011: Donation to UCLA School of Theater Film and Television

On September 27, 2011, Mariska Hargitay donated $100,000 to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television for scholarships.

October 2011: Adoption of Son, Andrew

In October 2011, Mariska Hargitay and her husband adopted a son named Andrew, who had been born in 2011.

2011: UCLA's TFT Distinguished Alumni Award

In 2011, Mariska Hargitay received UCLA's TFT Distinguished Alumni Award and was honored at the school's June commencement ceremony.

2012: Campaigning for the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

In 2012, Mariska Hargitay campaigned for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

2024: Essay on Ending Stigma Surrounding Sexual Assault

In an essay in 2024, Mariska Hargitay called for an end to the stigma surrounding sexual assault, advocating for survivors to be celebrated rather than shamed.