Mariska Hargitay Reveals Family Secret That Changed Everything

Mariska Hargitay just dropped a stunning family revelation—one she’s kept quiet for over 30 years.

In her recently debuted documentary titled “My Mom Jayne“, which had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the renowned television personality disclosed that Mickey Hargitay, the man who brought her up, is not her biological father instead.

At the age of 25, Mariska learned that her biological father wasn’t Mickey, but rather Nelson Sardelli, a previously known entertainer from Las Vegas.

Upon disclosing the news to Mickey, he adamantly claimed to be her father, a point that remained unaddressed thereafter.

Despite this disclosure, she was left pondering some unanswered queries: Was she of Hungarian descent, similar to Mickey, or of Italian heritage, like Sardelli?

Recently, Mariska shared in an interview with Vanity Fair that she encountered Sardelli performing in Atlantic City when she was thirty years old. Impressed, she approached him and introduced herself.

Sardelli felt a strong surge of emotions upon their reunion, expressing, “I’ve longed for this encounter for thirty years.

However, Mariska found herself not quite prepared to immerse herself in the situation at hand. Drawing upon her character from “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”, she candidly confessed that she had reacted strongly, similar to Olivia Benson’s assertive nature.

She reminisced, “I said, ‘I don’t desire or require anything from you… I already have a father figure. It had something to do with loyalty. I felt a strong need to remain loyal to Mickey.’

Following the meeting, a weighty reality hit the mother of three squarely: “Realizing I’ve been living a deception all these years.

Sardelli, along with her two half-sisters, participates in the documentary as well.

In the documentary, Mariska notes that “it’s time” she reveals her family secret.

Back in 1967, Mariska had just turned three when a car incident affected her family, involving her two siblings and mother.

She and her siblings were injured but survived; however, Mansfield died at 34.

Mariska stated to Vanity Fair, “I can’t recall the accident, nor was I aware that my mother had passed away when I was informed.

Celebrities Who Have a Lot of Kids

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson, the former boxing champion, has seven children from different relationships. His offspring include Michael “Miki” Lorna, born to Kimberly Scarborough; Ramsey and Amir, who were born to Monica Turner; Miguel and the late Exodus (who tragically passed away at age 4 in 2009), born to Sol Xochitl; and Milan and Morocco, born to his current wife Lakiha Spicer.

Clint Eastwood

Notable actor-director Clint Eastwood has been a father to eight children across various relationships during his illustrious career. His offspring include Laurie (with an unnamed woman), Kimber (with Roxanne Tunis), Kyle and Alison (with Maggie Johnson, his first spouse), Scott and Kathryn (with Jacelyn Reeves), Francesca (with Frances Fisher), and Morgan (with his second wife, Dina Ruiz).

Alec Baldwin

Actor Alec Baldwin is the father of eight children from two different marriages. His oldest daughter, Ireland, was born to him and his former spouse, actress Kim Basinger. With his current wife Hilaria Baldwin, he has seven other children: Carmen, Rafael, Leonardo, Romeo, Eduardo, María Lucía, and Ilaria. The Baldwins often provide glimpses into their lively family life on social media and their new reality show titled “The Baldwins“.

Rod Stewart

Rock legend Rod Stewart is the father of eight children from five distinct women: Sarah Streeter (with Susannah Boffey), Kimberly and Sean (his first wife, Alana Stewart), Ruby (Kelly Emberg), Renée and Liam (his second wife, Rachel Hunter), and Alastair and Aiden (current wife, Penny Lancaster). Rod Stewart’s family tree encompasses various generations, as his eldest child was born in 1963, while the youngest arrived in 2011.

Future

The well-known rapper known as Future, whose birth name is Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, is confirmed to have eight children with several different women. Among the mothers of his kids are Jessica Smith, Brittni Mealy, India J, singer Ciara (with whom he co-parents a son named Future Zahir), Joie Chavis, and Eliza Seraphin. There are whispers that he may also have another child, making it nine in total.

Mel Gibson

In two different relationships, Mel Gibson, who is both an actor and director, has nine children. With his first wife, Robyn Moore, he has seven kids: Hannah, Edward, Christian, William, Louis, Milo, and Thomas. Additionally, he has a daughter named Lucia with Russian pianist Oksana Grigorieva, and another son, Lars, with his current partner Rosalind Ross. The extensive size of Gibson’s family is an essential part of his personal life.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, a renowned boxing figure, was blessed with nine children. He shared Maryum, twins Jamillah and Rasheda, and Muhammad Ali Jr., with his second spouse, Belinda Boyd (who later took the name Khalilah Ali). His third marriage to Veronica Porsche resulted in two daughters named Hana and Laila. Ali also fathered a daughter named Miya from an out-of-wedlock relationship. With his fourth wife, Yolanda Williams, he adopted a son named Asaad Amin. Another child, Khalilah, was born to him with Wanda Bolton. Interestingly, Laila Ali, one of his daughters, pursued boxing as well and became a professional athlete in the sport.

Eddie Murphy

As a passionate cinephile, I’m proud to say that my real-life story mirrors some of the complex narratives I’ve seen unfold on the silver screen. I, Eddie Murphy, am a father to ten incredible children – Eric with Paulette McNeely, Christian with Tamara Hood, Bria, Miles, Shayne, Zola, and Bella with my former wife Nicole Mitchell, Angel Iris with Melanie Brown (otherwise known as the Spice Girls star, Mel B), and Izzy and Max with my current fiancée Paige Butcher. The joy these precious souls bring me is beyond compare, and I often find myself reflecting on the rich tapestry of love that makes up our unique family.

Marlon Brando

Legendary actor Marlon Brando had a total of 11 children with different partners throughout his life. Among them are Christian and Cheyenne, born to his third wife Tarita Teriipaia; Miko and Rebecca, who came from his relationship with housekeeper Maria Cristina Ruiz; Simon Teihotu, also with Tarita Teriipaia; and several more children born from various relationships.

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin, a renowned figure from the era of silent films, was blessed with eleven children. His first child, Norman, with his first wife Mildred Harris, passed away in infancy. He went on to have two sons, Charles Jr. and Sydney, with his second spouse Lita Grey. Later, he had eight children with his fourth wife, Oona O’Neill: Geraldine, Michael, Josephine, Victoria, Eugene, Jane, Annette, and Christopher. The artistic legacy of Chaplin lives on through the generations as evidenced by his granddaughter, Oona Chaplin, who is an accomplished actress known for her role in ‘Game of Thrones’.

Bob Marley

Legendary reggae artist Bob Marley is known to have fathered eleven children with seven different women. Four of these children – Cedella, Ziggy, Stephen, and Stephanie – were born to him and his wife Rita Marley. Additionally, he had Sharon, Robbie, Rohan, Karen, Julian, Ky-Mani, and Damian from various relationships. It’s been suggested that he might have fathered a twelfth child, but the claim remains unverified. Many of his children and grandchildren are continuing his musical legacy by pursuing careers in music.

George Foreman

In a humorous twist, the ex-heavyweight boxing champion, George Foreman, has 12 children, including five sons, all named George: George Jr., Monk (George III), Big Wheel (George IV), Red (George V), and Little Joey (George VI). His daughters are Michi, Freeda, Georgetta, Natalie, Leola, Isabella, and Courtney. By naming all his sons George, Foreman claims it makes things easier to remember.

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon is the father of twelve children from six distinct mothers: twins Moroccan and Monroe with his former spouse Mariah Carey; sons Golden Sagon and Rise Messiah, and daughter Powerful Queen, with Brittany Bell; sons Zion and Zillion, and daughter Beautiful, with Abby De La Rosa; son Legendary Love, with Bre Tiesi; daughter Onyx Ice Cole, with LaNisha Cole; and daughters Halo Marie and Zen, with Alyssa Scott. Tragically, his son Zen passed away in 2021 at the age of 5 due to brain cancer.

Duane Chapman, a.k.a Dog the Bounty Hunter

In my opinion as a movie reviewer, Duane “Dog” Chapman, the man behind the hit TV series “Dog the Bounty Hunter“, boasts an impressive brood of 13 children from various relationships. He shares Duane Lee II and Leland with his first spouse, La Fonda Sue Darnell; Wesley, James Robert, and Zebadiah (who unfortunately passed away shortly after birth) with his second wife Ann Tegnell; Barbara Katie, Lyssa Rae, and Tucker Dee with his third partner, Lyssa Rae Brittain; and Bonnie Joanne and Garry with his fifth wife, Beth Smith, who tragically passed in 2019. Chapman also welcomed Cecily Barmore-Chapman, Beth’s daughter from a past relationship, into his family fold. The intricacies of Chapman’s family life have consistently been a captivating aspect of his TV endeavors.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk has 14 children from four different women: Nevada Alexander (who passed away at 10 weeks old), twins Vivian Jenna and Griffin, triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian with his first wife Justin Wilson; X Æ A-12, Techno Mechanicus, and Exa Dark Sideræl with musician Grimes; Arcadia, Seldon Lycurgus, twins Strider and Azure with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis; and a child allegedly with influencer Ashley St. Clair. The intricate family arrangements, child support matters, and unusual names of his children with Grimes have generated much public and media interest, along with some criticism.

Mia Farrow

As a movie critic, I find myself constantly marveling at the intricate tapestry of lives that unfold on the silver screen, but none have captivated me quite like Mia Farrow. A woman who has nurtured not just one or two, but a whopping fourteen children, each with their unique stories and journeys.

Among her brood are three biological sons – Matthew, Sascha, and Fletcher – born from her union with composer André Previn. The couple also adopted three daughters, Lark Song, Summer “Daisy”, and Soon-Yi. With director Woody Allen, she welcomed two more children into her family, adopting son Moses and daughter Dylan. And let’s not forget their biological son, Satchel, now known as Ronan Farrow.

But Mia’s story doesn’t end there. As a single mother, she opened her heart and home to five more children, each one finding a permanent place in her ever-growing family: Tam, Kaeli-Shea (now Quincy), Frankie-Minh, Isaiah, and Thaddeus.

The lives of Mia Farrow and her children have been a subject of immense media scrutiny and public interest, offering a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of family dynamics and the resilience of love.

Nadya Suleman

Nadya Suleman, often referred to as “Octomom,” became globally recognized in 2009 after she gave birth to octuplets, all conceived using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Before the octuplets, she had six other children, also conceived through IVF. All 14 of her children were fathered by the same sperm donor; his identity has been kept confidential. The choice to have so many children via assisted reproductive technology led to intense public and media examination. Her life story is being chronicled on the reality show titled “Confessions of an Ocotomom.

DMX

Born as Earl Simmons, the late rap artist DMX fathered fifteen kids with several women throughout his life. Four of these children were born to his former spouse, Tashera Simmons, while the remaining eleven came from different relationships. Before his passing in April 2021, DMX’s personal life, particularly his relationships and offspring, frequently grabbed media attention and played a crucial role in shaping his public image.

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar are well-known for their extensive family, which was the main subject of the reality TV series titled “19 Kids and Counting.” This program showcased their everyday lives, emphasizing the struggles and happiness that come with raising a big family. The children, namely Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn-Grace and Josie, gained considerable public recognition through the show.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Legendary blues artist Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was said to have fathered anywhere from 33 to 75 children throughout his life, although the precise number is still uncertain. His extravagant lifestyle and numerous romantic entanglements created uncertainty about his offspring. After his passing in 2000, attempts were made to locate and connect many of his children, resulting in reunions and the creation of a website to chronicle his descendants.

2025-05-22 21:31