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 an American actress, philanthropist, producer, and director, best known for her role as Olivia Benson on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999. Her portrayal of Benson has garnered her an Emmy and a Golden Globe, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in television. The role is the longest-running character in American primetime drama. Hargitay received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1962: Troubles in Marriage

In 1962, Jayne Mansfield and Mariska Hargitay's marriage experienced troubles after Mansfield had an affair with an Italian filmmaker.

May 1963: Divorce of Mansfield and Hargitay

In May 1963, Mansfield and Hargitay divorced, but a judge later found their Mexican divorce invalid.

1963: Mother's Involvement with Nelson Sardelli

In 1963, Nelson Sardelli was involved with Jayne Mansfield, who would later be revealed to be Mariska Hargitay's mother.

January 1964: Reconciliation of Mansfield and Hargitay

In January 1964, after Mansfield realized she was pregnant with Mariska, she and Hargitay reconciled.

January 23, 1964: Mariska Hargitay's Birth

On January 23, 1964, Mariska Magdolna Hargitay was born. She is an American actress, philanthropist, producer, and director.

August 1964: Legal Divorce of Mansfield and Hargitay

In August 1964, Hargitay's mother successfully petitioned the court to rule the Mexican divorce legal.

June 29, 1967: Automobile Crash

On June 29, 1967, Mariska Hargitay, her mother Jayne Mansfield, and Mansfield's boyfriend Sam Brody were in a car accident that killed Mansfield, Brody, and the driver. Mariska, then three-and-a-half years old, and her brothers escaped with minor injuries.

1982: Miss Beverly Hills USA

In 1982, Mariska Hargitay was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA and graduated from high school, enrolling at UCLA after graduation.

1986: Offered Role on Downtown

In 1986, Mariska Hargitay was offered a role on the adventure drama series Downtown, which marked a turning point in her career, as she hadn't considered television before.

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1992: Claim in Jayne Mansfield Biography

In 1992, Jayne Mansfield's publicist Raymond Strait claimed in his biography "Here They Are, Jayne Mansfield" that Nelson Sardelli was her biological father.

Here They Are Jayne Mansfield

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August 28, 2004: Marriage to Peter Hermann

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

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2004: Establishment of the Joyful Heart Foundation

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

June 28, 2006: Birth of Son

On June 28, 2006, Mariska Hargitay gave birth to her and Peter Hermann's son via an emergency caesarean section.

2006: Maternity Leave from SVU

During the last months of her pregnancy in 2006, Mariska Hargitay took maternity leave from Law & Order: SVU.

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December 2008: Partially Collapsed Lung

In late December 2008, Mariska Hargitay suffered a partially collapsed lung after a fall during a stunt on the set of SVU.

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March 3, 2009: Hospitalized for Chest Pains

On March 3, 2009, Mariska Hargitay was hospitalized after suffering from chest pains related to her earlier lung injury, causing her to miss an episode of SVU.

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November 2009: Building Wellness Kits

In November 2009, Mariska Hargitay and the Joyful Heart Foundation built healing and wellness kits for women living in Los Angeles County's domestic violence shelters and donated money to domestic violence services.

November 2010: Therapeutic Programs

As of November 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation had sent over 5,000 women and children on therapeutic programs in New York, Los Angeles, and Hawaii.

2010: Identifies as Christian

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

April 2011: Joyful Heart Foundation Fundraising

According to Mariska Hargitay, the Joyful Heart Foundation had raised $20 million as of April 2011.

April 2011: Adoption of Daughter

In April 2011, Mariska Hargitay and her husband, Peter Hermann, adopted a baby girl.

September 27, 2011: Donation to UCLA

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

October 2011: Adoption of Son

In October 2011, Mariska Hargitay and her husband, Peter Hermann, adopted a son.

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: Campaign for Violence Against Women Act

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

July 2021: Broken Ankle

In July 2021, Mariska Hargitay suffered a broken ankle after falling in the rain while leaving the screening of Black Widow. Her injury was written into the season 23 premiere of SVU.

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2024: Essay on Sexual Assault

In 2024, Mariska Hargitay wrote an essay for People magazine, advocating for sexual assault survivors to receive the same support and celebration as cancer survivors, free from shame.

2025: Disclosure of Biological Father

In 2025, Mariska Hargitay publicly disclosed that her biological father was Nelson Sardelli, who had been involved with her mother Jayne Mansfield in 1963.