Mariska Magdolna Hargitay, born January 23, 1964, is an American actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for playing Olivia Benson on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU since 1999, the longest-running character in American primetime drama.
Hargitay has won two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. She founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which supports survivors of sexual abuse, and has been a certified rape counselor and active in domestic violence and advocacy causes.
Table of Contents
Mariska Hargitay Net Worth
Mariska Hargitay has a net worth of $100 million and earns $500,000 per episode of “SVU,” totaling around $11 million annually in base salary. With bonuses, her yearly earnings range from $13-$15 million. After her contract renewal in 2009, her salary was raised to approximately $400,000 per episode.
In 2012, she and her husband Peter Hermann purchased a townhouse in NYC for $10.7 million but sold it in 2019 for $9.75 million. They also own a $7.34 million home in East Hampton.
Early life
Mariska Hargitay, born January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay. Raised Catholic, she has two brothers and three half-siblings.
After her parents’ divorce, Hargitay’s mother tragically died in a car accident in 1967 when Mariska was three. Raised by her father and his third wife, she was active in school theater and won Miss Beverly Hills USA in 1982. Hargitay attended UCLA but left to pursue acting, studying at the Groundlings Theatre.
Career
Mariska Hargitay began acting in high school and was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA in the early 1980s. She attended UCLA but left to join the Groundlings improv group and landed small TV roles, including on “Falcon Crest” and “Seinfeld.” In 1999, she was cast as Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU,” a role she still holds, making her the longest-tenured cast member. Hargitay has won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe and directed several episodes of the series.
Personal life
Mariska Hargitay married actor Peter Hermann in 2004 after he appeared on “Law & Order: SVU.” They have a son born in 2006 and adopted two children in 2011. In 2008, she suffered a partially collapsed lung from a stunt on the show.
Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, supporting victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, helping over ten thousand women and children. She also donated $100,000 to UCLA in 2011 to fund scholarships. Hargitay is fluent in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Hungarian, and Italian.
Who is the highest paid actor on SVU?
Who is the highest-paid actor on Law & Order: SVU? Considering that Mariska Hargitay is the longest-running cast member on Law & Order: SVU, having started on the show with its premiere and continuing into its 24th season, it’s no surprise that Hargitay is the highest-paid actor on the show.
Conclusion
Mariska Hargitay’s net worth is reflective of her status as one of television’s most enduring and beloved figures. Her financial acumen, coupled with a celebrated career and personal life steeped in philanthropy, paint the picture of a star who has not only made it but done so on her own terms.
FAQs about Mariska Hargitay Net Worth
- How has Mariska Hargitay amassed her wealth? Hargitay’s wealth comes from her successful acting career, particularly from her role on “SVU,” real estate investments, and syndication royalties.
- Has Mariska Hargitay won any awards for her role as Olivia Benson? Yes, she has won both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance.
- How does Mariska Hargitay spend her wealth? While personal expenses are private, her investments in real estate indicate a portion of her spending.
- How much does Mariska Hargitay make per episode of “SVU”? Her salary per “SVU” episode is $500,000.
- What charitable work does Mariska Hargitay do? She founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which supports victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, and she has donated to scholarships at UCLA’s School of Theater Film and Television.
