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Updated Mar 06, 2025The Secret to Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann's Marriage
The couple met on the set of 'Law and Order: SVU.'
Photo: Walter McBride / Getty Images
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann share a 19-year union that stands as a shining example in the world of famous couples, becoming one of Hollywood's longest marriages despite the challenges of living life in the spotlight. The TV couple first crossed paths on the set of Law & Order: SVU in 2002. Hargitay was already on the show as Olivia Benson when Hermann came on as a guest star. Sparks were quickly ignited and the pair got married in 2004. Since then, they've built a life that many admire, balancing demanding acting careers with a busy family life, which includes taking care of three children.
After nearly two decades, Hargitay and Hermann's marriage continues to thrive, embodying the kind of commitment and mutual respect that forms the bedrock of any lasting relationship. Over the years, they have navigated fame, professional pressures and parenthood together, all while keeping their bond intact and growing stronger. Here's what we know about their relationship timeline, their family and their secret to a long-lasting marriage.
Who is Mariska Hargitay's husband? Peter Hermann, who is also an actor.
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann met on the set of Law & Order: SVU
Peter Hermann took Mariska Hargitay to a church service on their first date.
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann have three children; one biological and two adopted.
Who is Mariska Hargitay's husband?
Peter Hermann is an American actor, producer and writer best known for his roles in Younger, Law & Order: SVU and Blue Bloods. He was born in New York City, but moved to Germany when he was just a baby and lived there until he was 10 years old. Hermann attended Yale University and taught high school English before embarking on his acting journey.
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How Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann Met
The couple first met on the set of Law & Order: SVU when Hermann guest-starred in season 3 in 2002.
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann's Relationship Timeline
Photo: Patrick McMullan / Getty Images
2002: Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann start dating
Soon after filming the third season of Law & Order: SVU, Hermann asked Hargitay to attend a church service with him. "We went to church together, and it was like getting hit with a lightning bolt," Hargitay told People. "I just started sobbing. Peter thought I was crying because I was so moved by the service. No, it was because I was just overwhelmed, realizing he was the one."
2004: Mariska Hargitay starts the Joyful Heart Foundation
When Hargitay took on the role as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, the show's content inspired her to take action. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which aims to support victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
August 2004: Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann marry
On August 28, 2004, Hargitay and Hermann married after two years of dating. In an interview with People, Hermann recalled the moment when he realized he wanted to marry Hargitay.
"It was Mariska's birthday, 40th birthday," he said. "And I actually saw Mariska with all of the people that she loved around her. It was like seeing this person who was now in the soil, that she was just dying to be planted in it. Right? Which was this abundance of people and this abundance of love and I thought, 'I want to be part of that soil.' And that was the moment when I had not just parted the soil, but to be a lot of the soil."
June 2006: Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann welcome a baby
On June 28, 2006, the couple welcomed a baby son, August Miklos Friedrich.
April 2011: Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann adopt a baby girl
In April 2011, Hargitay and Hermann adopted their daughter, Amaya Josephine.
October 2011: Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann adopt a baby boy
Six months later, the couple's family of four becomes a family of five when they adopt their son, Andrew Nicolas.
"We never in a million years thought it would happen this quickly, but something inside of us knew that this was right, and we said, 'Yes, yes, yes!'" Hargitay explained in an interview with People.
November 2013: The whole family attends Mariska Hargitay's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images
Hargitay brought her whole family along to celebrate her star ceremony, which was placed beside her mother Jayne Mansfield's star. "Thank you … to August and to Amaya and to Andrew," she said in her speech. "I know one day you will grow into an understanding of how brightly the three of you shine into me and daddy's life. And to Peter, you're too good to be true."
February 2018: Peter Hermann publishes a childrens' book
Hargitay took to Instagram when Hermann published his first children's picture book, If the S in Moose Comes Loose. She posted a photo of Hermann holding up his work, along with a caption that says: "As the wordsmith himself puts it, this book is a "Madcap spelling romp"... who says that? Only my brilliant husband. My brilliant AUTHOR husband, whom I'm so "ridiculously excited + very proud" of."
August 2023: Peter Hermann and Mariska Hargitay celebrate 19 years of marriage
To celebrate 19 years of marriage together, Hargitay posted a celebratory photo of the couple on their wedding day. In the caption she wrote: "19 years. Best dance of my life. Only dance of my life."
Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann's Children
Photo: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
Hargitay and Hermann share three children together. Hargitay gave birth to August in June 2006, when she was 42 years old. The couple adopted their daughter Amaya and youngest son Andrew five years later. "I'm so grateful that I'm an older mom. Grateful that I became successful older. I don't know if I could have handled it when I was younger," Hargitay said in a recent interview with People.
In another interview, Hargitay opened up about losing her mother, the famous Jayne Mansfield, and how that experience influenced her decision to adopt. "Having lost my mom at a young age, I then grew up with my stepmom, and I have half siblings, and so I know that families can be built in all sorts of different ways, that there isn't just one way to create a family and that it isn't just about biology," Hargitay said.
The Couple's Secret to a Successful Marriage
Photo: Paul Bruinooge / Getty Images
In June 2019, Hargitay and Hermann revealed to People that the secret to their long-lasting and successful marriage is laughter. "I never thought I would have this much laughter in my life," Hermann said. "Not just actual laughter, but also the way that Mariska is just the embodiment of laughter—of joy."
"It's the way we find our way back to each other," he continued. "It's this fantastically, wonderfully ridiculous way that we can swing back and forth any number of times in any given day. But fundamentally we know we have the same destination. We know where we're headed, and it's good. And we know we'll get there together."
