Mariska Hargitay, best known for her role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has captivated audiences for decades with her talent and resilience. But behind the scenes, she has carried a deeply personal mystery—one that she recently unraveled in her new documentary, My Mom Jayne.
For years, Hargitay believed that her father was Mickey
Hargitay, the famed bodybuilder and actor who was married to her mother, Jayne
Mansfield. However, as revealed in her documentary and a candid interview with
Vanity Fair, she discovered that her biological father was actually singer
Nelson Sardelli.
A Lifetime of Questions
Hargitay’s mother, Jayne Mansfield, filed for divorce from
Mickey Hargitay in 1963 and began dating Sardelli. Though she later reconciled
with Mickey before Mariska’s birth, the truth about her biological father
remained hidden. Growing up, Hargitay sensed something was different. She
recalled feeling unlike her siblings and, in her twenties, saw a picture of
Sardelli that sparked an instinctual realization—he was her biological father.
Despite her suspicions, when she confronted Mickey Hargitay
about it, he denied the claim. Out of loyalty to the man who raised her, she
never brought it up again. But the questions lingered.
Meeting Sardelli
At 30, Hargitay took matters into her own hands. She
attended a performance by Sardelli in Atlantic City and introduced herself. The
moment was emotional—Sardelli cried upon meeting her. Still, Hargitay remained
steadfast in her loyalty to Mickey, telling Sardelli, “I don’t want anything, I
don’t need anything from you. I have a dad.”
Over time, she built a relationship with Sardelli and his
daughters, finding peace in the truth. She acknowledged that her mother’s
decision to reunite with Mickey was the right one, saying, “I grew up where I
was supposed to, and I do know that everyone made the best choice for me.”
A Love Letter to Her Father
Hargitay describes My Mom Jayne as a tribute to Mickey
Hargitay, the man who raised her and whom she loved deeply. The documentary
features appearances from both sides of her family, including Sardelli and her
siblings. She even hosted a private screening with her sisters from the
Sardelli side, where they “wept and wept and wept” at the film.
For Hargitay, this journey was not just about uncovering the
truth—it was about healing, embracing her full identity, and honoring the
people who shaped her life. “I’m Mickey Hargitay’s daughter—that is not a lie,”
she affirmed.
Her story is a testament to the complexities of family, the
power of truth, and the enduring strength of love.
