Mariska Hargitay is widely recognized for her iconic role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Since joining the show in 1999, she has become a beloved figure on television, captivating audiences week after week. However, beyond her on-screen persona, Hargitay embraces a deeply fulfilling role as a mother, which has profoundly shaped her life and outlook.
Hargitay married fellow actor Peter Hermann in 2004, whom she met on the set of Law & Order: SVU, where Hermann played defense attorney Peter Langan. Their family began with the birth of their son, August, in 2006. In 2011, they welcomed two more children through adoption: a baby girl named Amaya and a boy named Andrew.
While adoption may not be for everyone, Hargitay knew from a young age that it was a path she was open to. Having lost her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield, at a young age, Hargitay experienced the impact of a loving stepmother, which taught her that family extends beyond blood relations. This understanding made her and Hermann committed to creating a large, loving family, with adoption being a natural part of their plan, especially as Hargitay had her first child at the age of 42.
In an interview with Good Housekeeping, Hargitay reflected on her adoption journey, acknowledging the challenges and expressing gratitude for the experiences that shaped her family. “While it may be ironic, the hardest disappointment was also the greatest moment, in terms of what it means to help build a family,” she shared.
Motherhood has enriched Hargitay’s life, making her a more compassionate individual. She confessed to Health magazine in 2009 that becoming a mother changed her perspective, especially toward other parents dealing with crying children in public. “Before you have kids, and you’re on a plane, and there’s a screaming kid, you’re like, shut that kid up, give me earplugs, get me a blanket to put over my head,” she admitted. “As soon as I became a mom, though, I got it. You find yourself asking, ‘What can I do? You want me to hold him?’ Because you think about the time your kids were screaming, and there was the one parent who looked at you and smiled. And that compassion was everything.”
Hargitay’s growth in compassion extends to how she raises her children. Speaking to Parents.com, she emphasized the importance of kindness, a lesson instilled in her by her father. She strives to pass this value on to her children, particularly her eldest son, August, by modeling kindness in everyday actions. “I teach him what it means to be kind, such as sharing, helping his sister pick up toys, and letting her choose first what she wants to do. I continue to build on it so it becomes a child’s mindset to be considerate,” she explained.
Additionally, Hargitay believes in reinforcing positive behavior, consistently appreciating her children when they demonstrate kindness. This approach helps nurture a mindset of empathy and consideration, shaping them into compassionate individuals.
Mariska Hargitay’s journey as a mother has not only transformed her personally but also reflects her dedication to fostering a loving and kind family environment. Her experiences, both on and off the screen, highlight the profound impact of compassion and the importance of nurturing these values in the next generation.