Mariska Hargitay Opens Up About Life’s Challenges
She’s a wife, a mom of three, and an Emmy-winning TV star, but even Mariska Hargitay will tell you she doesn’t have all the answers. In a candid and exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, the 54-year-old actress shares how she’s still learning and growing every day. Despite her success, she admits that life is a journey, and that’s okay. “I look at my life now, and I’m amazed. I’m on a TV show, I run a foundation, I manage a household, I’m a mom, and I’m a wife,” Mariska said. “But the truth is, we all have to live the journey, right? And that’s what I’ve learned—to be present in where I am.”
Mariska filming Law & Order: SVU.
Lessons from the Screen
Mariska’s career has been a major part of her growth, both personally and professionally. For nearly two decades, she’s portrayed Detective Olivia Benson on the hit NBC drama series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Her role has taught her to embrace the tough moments in life. “I’ve learned to lean into the sharp edges,” she shared during a recent event. “There’s been a lot of darkness, but on the other side, things can be so bright.”
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She credits her character, Olivia, with instilling important values in her. “What have I learned from Olivia? The power of hope, the importance of stamina, fierce protection, and never giving up, no matter what,” Mariska explained. It’s clear that her on-screen experiences have shaped her off-screen life in meaningful ways.
Mariska’s parents, Mickey and Jayne.
A Life Shaped by Challenges
Mariska’s journey hasn’t always been easy. Her childhood was marked by tragedy when her famous mother, Jayne Mansfield, was killed in a car accident when Mariska was just three years old. She was in the back seat during the crash and survived. After her mother’s passing, Mariska was raised by her father, Mickey Hargitay, and his third wife, Ellen. Despite the hardships, Mariska credits her dad for teaching her resilience. “The message I got from my father was that life is hard, but you just don’t quit,” she has said. Mickey also played a pivotal
