Mariska Hargitay Celebrates Her ‘Family of the Year’ on Mother’s Day
Mariska Hargitay, the renowned actress from Law & Order: SVU, began her Mother’s Day celebrations early this year by paying a heartfelt tribute to her family. She shared a touching post on Instagram featuring a vintage photo of her siblings and their late parents, Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. The photo captures a heartwarming moment from May 8th, 1960, when the family was honored as the ‘Family of the Year’ by the Mildred Strauss Child Care Chapter of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Mariska described the occasion as a sweet way to celebrate her parents and siblings on a day dedicated to motherhood.
The photograph, which quickly went viral, shows Jayne Mansfield, Mariska’s mother, watching her eldest son Mickey Jr. blow out candles on a birthday cake, while their father, Mickey Hargitay, holds a baby Zoltan. The touching scene is a testament to the close-knit family and the enduring legacy of Jayne Mansfield, who passed away tragically in 1967 at the age of 36 in a car accident in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mariska, who was only three years old at the time, was in the car but escaped with minor injuries along with her brothers Mickey Jr. and Zoltan.
Mariska Reflects on the Loss of Her Mother
In a 2018 interview with People, Mariska opened up about the profound impact of losing her mother at such a young age. She shared, ‘The way I’ve lived with loss is to lean into it. As the saying goes, the only way out is through. I’m not saying it’s easy, and it certainly hasn’t been for me. There’s been a lot of darkness. But on the other side, things can be so bright.’ Mariska also highlighted her mother’s inspiring personality, stating, ‘She was an inspiration, she had this appetite for life, and I think I share that with her.’ This sentiment reflects Mariska’s resilience and her ability to find strength in the face of adversity.
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in October 2024, Mariska discussed how turning 60 helped her overcome some of the childhood trauma related to her mother’s death. She remarked, ‘I think as we age, we step into our power, our focus of what’s important narrows down, and we get time and space back. I think that the gift that I have is clarity.’ This introspective perspective underscores Mariska’s journey of self-discovery and healing.
Mariska Honors Her Mother Through Documentary ‘My Mom Jayne’
In April, Mariska announced her collaboration with HBO on the documentary My Mom Jayne, which she also directed. The film is a deeply personal project for Mariska, exploring her mother’s life and legacy. In a statement, Mariska described the documentary as ‘a labor of love and longing. It’s a search for the mother I never knew, an integration of a part of myself I’d never owned, and a reclaiming of my mother’s story and my own truth.’ She also shared her belief in the strength found in vulnerability, emphasizing that the process of making the film reinforced this belief more than ever before.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Jayne Mansfield
Mariska’s followers were deeply moved by the vintage photo and the heartfelt anecdote she shared. One fan commented, ‘Oh god what an amazing picture!’ while another wrote, ‘Awww that’s so sweet and what a beautiful picture!!!’ The post not only celebrated Mariska’s family but also served as a reminder of the enduring impact Jayne Mansfield had on her children’s lives.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Love and Strength
Mariska Hargitay’s Mother’s Day tribute to her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, is a poignant reminder of the lasting bonds of family and the strength that comes from embracing both joy and sorrow. Through her personal reflections, her documentary project, and her heartfelt social media posts, Mariska continues to honor her mother’s memory while inspiring countless others with her resilience and grace.