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Mariska Hargitay recently shared a touching moment of reconciliation with her biological father, Mickey Hargitay, before his passing in 2006. The Law & Order: SVU star opened up about the emotional encounter during an interview, calling it “so magical.”
The Backstory
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Mariska’s parents were Hollywood icons Mickey Hargitay (a bodybuilder/actor) and Jayne Mansfield (a bombshell actress).
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After her parents’ divorce when she was 3, Mickey remained in her life but was “not the most present father.”
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Jayne Mansfield tragically died in a car accident when Mariska was just 3 years old, leaving Mickey to raise her.
The Apology
Years later, as Mickey was nearing the end of his life, he expressed regret for not being the father he wished he could have been. Mariska described the moment as deeply healing:
“He apologized for not being there enough. It was so pure, so beautiful… I told him, ‘You were enough. You were perfect.’”
Why It Matters
Mariska has often spoken about how losing her mother shaped her life—both in her advocacy for trauma survivors (mirroring her SVU role) and in cherishing family. Her forgiveness toward Mickey highlights her resilience and capacity for love.
Her Relationship with Fatherhood Now
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She’s married to actor Peter Hermann, and they have three children.
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She’s said motherhood helped her understand her own parents’ struggles.
Final Thought:
“Forgiveness isn’t about the other person—it’s about freeing yourself.” 💖
(Source: Mariska’s interview on the “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa” podcast.)
