Mariska Hargitay’s Life Struggles: From a Tough Childhood to the Hardships of Adoption

For the past 20 years, Mariska Hargitay has been synonymous with her role as Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” At 55, Hargitay’s journey to stardom has been marked by personal hardships and resilience.

Early Tragedy

Hargitay is the daughter of the legendary Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield, a renowned blonde bombshell and contemporary rival to Marilyn Monroe. In 1967, tragedy struck when Mansfield’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident. Miraculously, three-year-old Mariska, along with her siblings and father Mickey Hargitay, survived the horrific crash. This traumatic event left an indelible mark on her soul, shaping her future.

Struggle with Depression

The scars of that fateful day lingered. At 22, Mariska fell into a deep depression, struggling to come to terms with her mother’s untimely death. With the unwavering support of her family, she eventually found solace and strength, describing the experience as healing the “scar of her soul.”

Near Loss of a Stepmother

The shadows of tragedy continued to loom over Hargitay’s life. Six years after her mother’s death, her stepmother, Ellen Siano, narrowly escaped death in a terrifying airplane incident. Thrown from the floor to the ceiling 56 times during severe turbulence, Siano survived, but the ordeal left a lasting impact on Mariska and her family.

Passionate Advocacy

Much like her character Olivia Benson, Mariska is a fervent advocate for sexual assault survivors. In 2004, she founded Joyful Heart, an organization dedicated to supporting victims of sexual violence. By 2017, Joyful Heart had aided 18,000 survivors and raised $200 million in donations. Hargitay’s advocacy extended to the halls of Congress, where she testified twice on behalf of survivors, pushing for justice and systemic change.

Losing Her Father

In 2006, Hargitay faced another profound loss when her father, Mickey Hargitay, succumbed to a six-year battle with cancer. His death deeply affected Mariska, who took time off from “SVU” to grieve. Her father’s words, “Don’t quit,” became a guiding mantra that helped her persevere through the pain.

On-Set Injury

Mariska’s dedication to her role in “SVU” is well-known. In 2009, her commitment led to a serious on-set injury when she landed incorrectly during a stunt, resulting in a collapsed lung. Multiple surgeries were required to repair the damage, causing her to miss part of the show’s 10th season. Yet, her resilience saw her through, and she returned stronger than ever.

Risky Pregnancy

Married to actor Peter Hermann since 2004, Hargitay faced a high-risk pregnancy at 42, developing gestational diabetes. Despite complications, their son August was born via c-section in 2006. Given the challenges of her pregnancy and her age, Mariska and Peter expanded their family through adoption, welcoming daughter Amaya and son Andrew.

Financial Struggles

Before achieving fame, Mariska endured long periods without acting roles, accumulating a six-figure debt before turning 30. These challenging years taught her financial prudence and resilience. Today, she looks back with gratitude, appreciating the lessons learned from those difficult times.

Mariska Hargitay’s journey from tragedy to triumph is a testament to her strength, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her craft and her advocacy. Her story is not just one of survival but of thriving against the odds, making her an enduring and inspirational figure in Hollywood.