Mariska Hargitay has carved out a prominent role for herself on the acclaimed series Law & Order: SVU, portraying Olivia Benson, a character who has risen from detective to Captain. Beyond her on-screen achievements, fans might find it intriguing to learn about a touching parallel between Hargitay and her character.
On the show, Olivia Benson navigates a tumultuous journey to adopt her son, Noah Porter-Benson. Noah’s story is one of resilience and tragedy, initially entangled in a dark world of child exploitation before finding a safe haven with Benson. Despite the challenges and legal battles depicted in the series, Benson’s determination and love ultimately secure Noah’s place in her life as her adopted son.
In a striking similarity off-screen, Mariska Hargitay has also embraced adoption in her personal life. Alongside her husband, Peter Hermann, whom she met on the set of SVU, Hargitay has adopted two children, Amaya and Andrew, in addition to raising their biological son, August, born in 2006. The decision to adopt reflects Hargitay’s deep-seated belief in family diversity and her personal journey growing up in a blended family environment.
During a candid moment on The View in 2018, Hargitay reflected on her upbringing and how it influenced her desire to adopt. Raised with her brothers and nurtured by a loving stepmother after the tragic loss of her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield, in a car accident, Hargitay learned early on that families come in many forms.
“Families are made in so many different ways,” Hargitay shared, emphasizing her lifelong inclination towards adoption. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to adopt. I felt like it was something I was meant to do.”
The parallel between Hargitay’s personal life and her character Olivia Benson’s journey of adoption adds a poignant layer to her portrayal on SVU. Both women, in their respective roles, demonstrate resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to creating loving families against challenging odds.
In essence, Mariska Hargitay’s real-life experiences enrich her portrayal of Olivia Benson, making her not only a talented actress but also a role model for embracing love and family in its many forms.
