Mariska Hargitay Reveals Shocking Truth About Her Biological Father

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Mariska Hargitay is sharing a family secret—she is not biologically a Hargitay.

61-year-old actress Mariska Hargitay shared that her late father, Mickey Hargitay, who raised her following the 1967 car accident that claimed the life of her mother Jayne Mansfield, is not her biological dad. Instead, it was Brazilian-born Italian singer Nelson Sardelli, now 90 years old, who is her true father. At age 30, Mariska first met Sardelli when she saw him perform in Atlantic City and then approached him in character.

In the interview with Vanity Fair, published on May 17, she shared, “I gave him a firm and assertive response, much like Detective Olivia Benson does in her character. I told him plainly, ‘I don’t want anything from you, and I certainly don’t need anything. I already have a father.’

Nelson broke into tears when they finally met, expressing to her, “This moment has been a long-awaited dream of mine for thirty years.

1962 saw Jayne initiating a divorce from her Hungarian actor costar, with whom she had starred in films like “The Loves of Hercules”. Subsequently, she developed a romantic relationship with Nelson. However, before the birth of Mariska in 1964, they reconciled, according to Vanity Fair, but ultimately finalized their divorce at year’s end.

For a long time, speculation has swirled around who Mariska’s biological father truly is. The details of her connection with the Hungarian-born actor, Jayne Mansfield, and Nelson, were discussed extensively in Raymond Strait’s 1992 book titled “Here They Are Jayne Mansfield.”

In this version, I tried to make the sentence more engaging and easier to read by breaking it down into smaller, simpler sentences. I also used the word “connection” instead of “relationships” to make it sound less formal.

Last April, one of his fans posted a picture on Instagram of him with the singer. In the caption, they mentioned that his daughter is Mariska Hargitay.

For some time prior to their encounter, the actress had harbored this suspicion. It wasn’t until she saw a photograph of the seasoned Vegas entertainer during her twenties that she came to this understanding.

In the upcoming documentary “My Mom Jayne“, she expresses it as if the ground beneath her gave way, similar to her foundation crumbling.

However, as reported by Vanity Fair, when she brought up the matter to Mickey, he allegedly denied it, and there’s no further mention of Nelson in subsequent conversations with her father. The actor, who was a father figure to Jayne Marie (74), Jayne, and his sons Mickey “Miklos” Jr. (66) and Zoltan (64), from previous relationships, passed away at the age of 80 in 2006.

Mariska shared that following her meeting with Nelson in Atlantic City, she developed a connection not only with him but also with the girls he brought up as his own. Although she experienced difficulty accepting it at first, “I’ve been living under false pretenses my whole life,” she eventually came to understand some significant truths about her upbringing.

As the daughter of Mickey Hargitay, I was raised as one should be, and I understand that each decision made on my behalf was done with the best intentions. It’s no secret who my father is.

Look back at Mariska’s family photo album.

For some time prior to their encounter, the actress had harbored this suspicion. She revealed that it wasn’t until her twenties when she saw a photograph of the veteran Las Vegas entertainer, that the realization dawned on her.

In the upcoming documentary, My Mom Jayne, she expresses it as if her foundation or support system vanished: “It felt like I was standing on thin air.

However, as reported by Vanity Fair, when she discussed the matter with Mickey, he refuted it, and she subsequently never brought up Nelson again to her father. The actor, who had children Mickey “Miklos” Jr., now 66, and Zoltan, 64, with Jayne, as well as helping raise her daughter Jayne Marie, 74, from a prior relationship, passed away at the age of 80 in 2006.

Ever since my fateful meeting with Nelson in Atlantic City, I found myself drawn to him and the remarkable daughters he had nurtured. It wasn’t always easy, grappling with the truth that I’d been living a facade my entire life. But eventually, it dawned on me – I unearthed a profound truth about my upbringing that reshaped my understanding of myself.

She stated, “I was raised as expected, and I acknowledge they did what was thought to be best for me. But let me clarify, I’m indeed the daughter of Mickey Hargitay, which is true.

Look back at Mariska’s family photo album.

In the year before Mariska was born, her parents appeared warm and snuggly in 1963, contrary to the fact that Jayne had filed for divorce the year prior.

Mariska was born in the year 1964, not long after her mother had reunited with Mickey Hargitay. However, they ended up divorcing at the end of the same year.

In 1966, two years following their divorce, Mariska’s parents were spotted together at the Westbury Music Fair, attending a performance of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” where Mariska was starring.

Backstage, Mickey and Jayne were met by Mariska Hargitay (daughter of the Hargitays) and her brothers Miklos Hargitay Jr. and Zoltan Hargitay, as well as Jayne Mansfield.

The actress’ dad joined her at Law & Order SVU‘s 100th episode celebration in 2003. 

The Hungarian-born actor died three years later after battling multiple myeloma. He was 80.

The actress’ siblings supported her at her star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013.

Mariska posted a picture of herself and her husband, who they’ve been married to for over 20 years, on Thanksgiving 2024. They are parents to sons August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, Andrew Nicolas Hermann, and daughter Amaya Josephine Hermann.

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2025-05-19 03:48