Mariska Hargitay, widely known for her role as Olivia Benson in the long-running TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” not only gained fame but also found love and family on the show.
Mariska Hargitay gained fame and a family of her thanks to her long-running portrayal of Olivia Benson on Law & Order. But for Hargitay and her co-star Peter Hermann, “Law & Order” was more than just putting the pieces of a murder puzzle together.
Hermann and Hargitay’s romance took place in the fictional television series “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”. Since they started dating on the NBC show, the actors’ relationship has only grown stronger and they now have a beautiful family together. Their relationship started because of the program.
The bond that Hargitay and Hermann have developed off-screen throughout “Law & Order” is unmatched. The engaged couple originally linked up after Hermann’s involvement in Season 2 and have been married for over 18 years since then.
Hargitay was open and honest about her first date with Hermann, which happened several years after the two met, in an interview with People. The first date between them was proof enough for the actress that Hermann is the one for her.
Hermann invited Hargitay to go to church with him during his guest appearance on the NBC program in 2002. In turn, Hargitay recalled being “struck by lightning” as Hermann appeared to be listening to the talk. The actress said she connected deeply with Hermann and sobbed during their meeting. The actress claims that the moment she realized “he was the one” made her cry, contrary to Hermann’s claim that the service was what influenced her.
“I just started crying. Peter thought I was crying because the ceremony had such an effect on me. No, it was because I was so moved by the realization that he was the one, I was full of emotion.”
On her reassurance about the connection she felt with Hermann, the 59-year-old “Jocks” actress was also quoted as saying the following:
I was crying because I was going through something I had never been through before, but I knew exactly what it was. When you’re a little girl, everyone in your family, including your parents, grandparents, and other relatives, tells you, “When you’re in love, you’ll know it.” I did that too. Hargitay and Hermann developed a relationship that was very New York. When asked about their early connection, the “All Is Bright” actor recalls walking into his house on West 36th Street and finding a veritable pack of rats:
The only thing he could say to the woman he loved and would eventually marry was, “New York!” Fortunately, despite the rat infestation, the couple’s love remained strong, and in 2004, the two were ready to move forward with marriage. Hargitay and Hermann’s wedding was held at the Unitarian Heritage Church in Santa Barbara.
The groom’s initials and wedding date were sewn into the lining of Hargitay’s pale pink Carolina Herrera gown, which she wore for the ceremony.
The stars of “Law and Order” decided after a while of marriage that it was time to start a family. When “Simple Truth” turned 42 in 2006, the couple had August, their first child.
Mariska Hargitay is a true inspiration on and off the screen. Her dedication to family, philanthropic work, and personal growth is something we can all learn from.