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 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. She has received numerous accolades for her acting, including two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2013, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beyond her acting career, Hargitay is also recognized for her significant philanthropic work and activism.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1962: Marriage Troubles

In 1962, Jayne Mansfield had an affair with an Italian filmmaker, leading to troubles in her marriage with Mickey Hargitay.

May 1963: Parents' Divorce

In May 1963, Mariska Hargitay's parents, Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay, divorced, although the divorce was later deemed invalid.

January 1964: Reconciliation and Birth

In January 1964, Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay reconciled shortly before Mariska's birth.

January 23, 1964: Mariska Hargitay's Birth

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

August 1964: Divorce Legalized

In August 1964, Jayne Mansfield successfully petitioned the court to rule her Mexican divorce from Mickey Hargitay as legal.

July 1966: Divorce Filing

In July 1966, Jayne Mansfield filed for divorce from Matt Cimber, although it was never finalized.

June 29, 1967: Mother's Death in Car Accident

On June 29, 1967, Jayne Mansfield, Mariska Hargitay's mother, died in a car accident. Mariska, then three-and-a-half years old, survived with a scar.

1982: Miss Beverly Hills USA Title

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

1999: Debut in Law & Order: SVU

In 1999, Mariska Hargitay began portraying Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and trained as a rape crisis advocate for the role.

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: Establishment of the Joyful Heart Foundation

In 2004, Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse.

June 28, 2006: Birth of Son August

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

September 2006: Father's Death

In September 2006, Mariska Hargitay's father, Mickey Hargitay, died from multiple myeloma at age 80.

2006: Maternity Leave from SVU

In 2006, during her pregnancy, Mariska Hargitay took maternity leave from Law & Order: SVU and was temporarily replaced by Connie Nielsen.

December 2008: Collapsed Lung Injury

In December 2008, Mariska Hargitay suffered a partially collapsed lung after a stunt injury on the set of SVU, requiring surgery.

March 3, 2009: Hospitalization for Chest Pains

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

November 2009: Joyful Heart Foundation Initiatives

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

November 2010: Therapeutic Programs

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

2010: Identifies as Christian

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

April 2011: Adoption of Daughter Amaya

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

September 27, 2011: Donation to UCLA

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.

2011: UCLA TFT Distinguished Alumni Award

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

2012: Campaign for VAWA

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

July 2021: Broken Ankle Injury

In July 2021, Mariska Hargitay suffered a broken ankle after a fall, which was written into the season 23 premiere of SVU.

2024: Personal Essay on Being a Rape Survivor

In 2024, Mariska Hargitay revealed in a personal essay published by People that she is a survivor of rape, crediting other survivors for her strength.

2024: Essay on Sexual Assault Stigma

In 2024, Mariska Hargitay wrote an essay calling for an end to the stigma surrounding sexual assault, advocating for survivors to be celebrated, similar to cancer survivors.