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. She holds the distinction of playing the longest-running character in American primetime drama history. Acknowledged as one of the highest-paid actresses on television since 2013, she has received numerous accolades, including two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2013, Hargitay was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beyond her acting career, she is recognized for her significant philanthropic work and activism.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1962: Troubles in Marriage

In 1962, troubles arose in Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay's marriage after Mansfield had an affair with an Italian filmmaker.

May 1963: Divorce of Parents

In May 1963, Mariska Hargitay's parents divorced, though a judge later deemed the Mexican divorce invalid.

January 1964: Birth and Reconciliation

In January 1964, Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay reconciled a few months before their daughter 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.

August 1964: Legal Divorce

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

July 1966: Divorce Filing

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

June 29, 1967: Automobile Accident

On June 29, 1967, Jayne Mansfield was killed in an automobile accident. Mariska Hargitay, who was three-and-a-half years old at the time, was asleep in the back and survived with a scar on her head.

1982: Miss Beverly Hills USA

In 1982, Mariska Hargitay graduated from high school and was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA.

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: Joyful Heart Foundation Established

In 2004, Mariska Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation to support survivors of various forms of abuse and trafficking.

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: Death of Mickey Hargitay

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

2006: Maternity Leave from SVU

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

January 2007: Got Milk? Advertisement

In January 2007, Mariska Hargitay and her older son appeared in a Got Milk? advertisement.

December 2008: 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: Hospitalization for Chest Pains

On March 3, 2009, Mariska Hargitay was hospitalized after suffering from chest pains related to the injury from a stunt.

November 2010: Joyful Heart Foundation Programs

In November 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation had sent over 5,000 women and children on therapeutic programs in New York, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. These programs combine yoga, meditation, massage, journaling, and swimming with dolphins.

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's Impact and Collaborations

As of April 2011, the Joyful Heart Foundation had raised $20 million and helped approximately 5,000 survivors. The Foundation's work was highlighted in episodes of Special Victims Unit with Hargitay's character wearing a necklace representing the Foundation in the show's 13th season. The Foundation also collaborated with brands like Me&Ro, Michael Stars, and AZIAM's Wife Lover Tanks to create supporting products.

April 2011: Adoption of Daughter Amaya

In April 2011, Mariska Hargitay and her husband, Peter Hermann, adopted a baby girl named Amaya and were present at her birth.

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

On September 27, 2011, Mariska Hargitay donated $100,000 to her alma mater, the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television, to fund 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 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 VAWA Reauthorization

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 a fall, which was written into the season 23 premiere of SVU.

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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 similarly to cancer survivors.