Mariska Hargitay Spends Quality Time With Daughter Amaya At Concert Years After ‘Painful’ Adoption Experience

Aug 25, 2023

Mariska Hargitay is a famed actress known for her leading role as Detective Olivia Benson in NBC's hit television series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." As the daughter of bodybuilder and actor Mickey Hargitay and actress Jayne Mansfield, acting was in her blood. Mariska made her film debut in 1985 when she starred as Donna in the horror-comedy film "Ghoulies." 

Mariska's small-screen career has been prolific compared to her big-screen appearances. The "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star's recurring role in "ER" jump-started her fame and ultimately led her to her iconic role as Olivia Benson.

According to Famous People, Mariska took a different approach to her career than her mother, who branded herself as a sex symbol. Instead, the rising star sought roles that highlighted strong, confident women. The award-winning actress told People Magazine that she also performed her own stunts along with acting in the hit series. Mariska's dedication and hard work paid off. According to Screen Rant, Mariska's role as Olivia Benson is the longest-running prime-time live-action character of all time.

Mariska is now a mother herself. In 2006, she and her husband Peter Hermann welcomed a son named August into the world. Then, in 2011 the couple ended up adopting two babies just six months apart. Their daughter Amaya was born first, followed by Andrew, who was born prematurely.  

Since then, Mariska has openly spoken about the grueling experience of adoption and her foray into motherhood. Read on to learn more about Mariska, her rewarding journey and how she spends time with her daughter Amaya. 

Mariska met her husband Peter Hermann while on the set of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." The couple wed in 2004 and welcomed a baby boy named August in 2006. Mariska was 42 when she got pregnant with her son. Mariska's age negatively impacted her pregnancy, and she was uncertain of having another child after giving birth to her son. So the couple turned to adoption to create the family of their dreams. 

Although Mariska loved being pregnant, during her last trimester, she developed gestational diabetes. According to Mayo Clinic, gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. It affects women over the age of 35 at a higher rate. In an interview with People Magazine, the "Leaving Las Vegas" star recalled how hard her pregnancy was during the last stage due to the illness. 

"This pregnancy was really hard for me at the end," she said. "I wasn't mobile."

Although Mariska and Hermann envisioned having a large family, the actress told Good Housekeeping that they feared she wouldn't be able to get pregnant again.

Mariska and Hermann sought out an adoption lawyer to begin the process. After several failed attempts, the couple found a woman who lived near New York City. After meeting the woman, Mariska and Hermann finalized the adoption plan. The couple was present in the delivery room, named the baby, and even took her home. Two days later, the birth mother changed her mind. 

"It was nothing short of devastating," Mariska explained. "But … it was probably the greatest, happiest ending. I mean, it was so painful for us, but it was deeply joyful and deeply right for her."

Even though Mariska was devastated, she told Good Housekeeping that she "felt honored to be part of the process."

After abruptly losing their first adopted baby, the couple was extremely hesitant. But the birth mother reassured the couple during her pregnancy journey that this was the right decision. Shortly after their adoption fell through, the couple's lawyer reached out to them with another woman expecting a baby. Although doctors initially told the couple that the baby would be a boy, it turned out to be a girl. They were thrilled!

The Golden Globe-winning actress was also welcomed into the delivery room during the birth of her daughter. 

"I basically pulled Amaya out. Peter and I held her, and then the birth mother and I hugged for a long time," she recalled. "That was profound. That was one of the most meaningful moments I've ever had in my life."

Mariska described life with newborn Amaya as "dreamy." Amaya’s birth mother is African-American, but according to Mariska, race was a “non-issue.” 

“We were excited to have a multiracial family, because that's what the world is, and we want our family to reflect a realistic microcosm of the world,” she told the publication.

As for the child’s name, Mariska recounted that she and her husband had something else in mind at the beginning.

“We were thinking of Maya first. We loved the name. And we wanted her to have the same initials as me. But then I thought, No; she needs to have the same initials as her brother. So we added the 'A,' and we thought: Amaya! So feminine! It just rolls off the tongue," Mariska explained.

Amaya, 12, was spotted hanging out with Mariska and TODAY host Savanna Guthrie on Taylor Swift’s “The Eras” Tour on Aug. 4, 2023, at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

Mariska shared a photo carousel of her concert experience on Instagram, where she was seen spending some quality mom time with Amaya. 

“Still in the afterglow of the most magical night. Deepest gratitude to @taylorswift for your poetry and wisdom. You inspire us and connect us to our #delicate tenderness, joy, hope and strength — and most of all, our wish to live and love courageously. Thank you, Taylor, for all you do and all you are ... 💖🌟 Thank you 🌳♥️,” she wrote. 

Mariska and Amaya held hands while watching the concert, wearing the friendship bracelets that fans had traded with them during the concert. 

Fans of Mariska and Swift were deeply delighted to see them there, especially the actress as she previously starred in Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video in 2015. 

“I saw a video of you swaying w your daughter mouthing the words ‘can we always be this close’ and as a mom of preteen kids that literally made my (sic) cry both w joy and sadness over the transience of life and it made me remember to love a little for fiercely today,” a fan wrote on the comments. 

“Awwwww so fun for all of you…. Especially Ms Amaya, how cool was that pic,” another commented. 

"Thanks for sharing moments from your night. I love that Amaya gets to do these things with you. I remember when my daughter was younger we did things like this too and we are still close “'orever and ever,'" a fan shared. 

“You being a swiftie and sharing those magical moments with your daughter makes my day🙌😍😍😍,” another gushed.

What can you say about Mariska Hargitay’s journey through adoption? Isn’t her relationship with her daughter Amaya beautiful? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your friends and family!