Mariska Hargitay, renowned for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and her husband Peter Hermann, whom she met on the set of the same show, have one of Hollywood’s most endearing families. Married in 2004, the couple has three children: August, 17, Amaya, 12, and Andrew, 11.
A Late but Joyful Start to Motherhood
Mariska welcomed her first child, August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, at the age of 42 in 2006. Reflecting on becoming a mother later in life, she shared with PEOPLE, “I’m so grateful that I’m an older mom. When I was younger, I wasn’t as present, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to accept and appreciate.”
Despite the challenges of raising three children, Mariska cherishes every moment. “Our family is so perfect, or at least perfect for me,” she told PEOPLE in 2018. “Together we’re just this whole, happy, joyful, chaotic, crazy unit. I’ve never known anything that was more right.”
The Adoption Journey
In 2011, Mariska and Peter expanded their family through adoption, welcoming Amaya Josephine Hermann in April and Andrew Nicolas Hermann just six months later. Mariska shared the joy of naming their daughter, saying, “I liked the name Maya, but I wanted her to have the same initials as August. Amaya sounded so open and feminine and beautiful—just like her.”
Mariska described the profound moment of Amaya’s birth, saying, “I basically pulled Amaya out. Peter and I held her, and then the birth mother and I hugged for a long time. That was one of the most meaningful moments I’ve ever had in my life.”
The adoption of Andrew was equally serendipitous. “We never in a million years thought it would happen this quickly, but something inside of us knew that this was right, and we said, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ ” Mariska told PEOPLE. “We knew this was our guy. It felt divinely right.”
Celebrating Family Milestones
Mariska and Peter’s children have been a source of endless joy and inspiration. August, often seen visiting his mom on set, has developed a tradition of attending the US Open with Mariska. As he prepares to graduate high school, Mariska reflected emotionally, “My husband Peter and I are in the process of watching our oldest son graduate from high school, and we’ve been shuffling around our house for the last few months just muttering, ‘Where does the time go?'”
Amaya, known for her bright and loving nature, has frequently accompanied her family to red carpet events. In October 2023, Mariska and Amaya enjoyed a special mother-daughter outing at the Los Angeles premiere of Taylor Swift’s concert film.
Andrew, described by Mariska as “an angel that fell out of the sky,” shares a special bond with his sister Amaya. The children even inspired Peter Hermann to write a children’s book, If the S in Moose Comes Loose. Peter shared, “Our youngest keeps asking for it, but I think that it might be because he wants to get in with me. I think it’s a slightly political move. Smart little dude!”
Cherished Family Moments
The family enjoys special outings together, like their visit to Walt Disney World in December 2022, where Mariska hosted the candlelight procession. The family of five posed in front of Cinderella’s Castle, capturing a moment of pure magic.
While Andrew is still too young to watch his mom’s iconic role on Law & Order: SVU, he has discovered her voice work in the anime film Tales From Earthsea. Mariska recounted with pride, “He just thought it was the coolest thing.”
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann’s family is a testament to love, resilience, and the beauty of diverse family dynamics. Their journey is not only inspiring but also a heartwarming reminder of the many ways love can build a family.
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