The One Tragedy That Changed Mariska Hargitay Forever

We all know Mariska Hargitay from her lead role as Olivia Benson on NBC's "Law & Order: SVU." The role has not only earned the actor a Primetime Emmy Award, but a Golden Globe as well. But it doesn't end there. Olivia Benson is so popular that pop star Taylor Swift not only named her cat after her, but asked that Hargitay appear by her side in the music video for "Bad Blood" (per Billboard). 

And while fans are well-acquainted with Hargitay's on-screen persona, they may be surprised to learn some facts about the actor's family and history. Hargitay's parents are former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay and iconic actor Jayne Mansfield. Sadly, however, Hargitay and her family faced a tragedy when the "Law & Order: SVU" actor was only 3 years old.

Here's what you need to know about what is undoubtedly one of the biggest tragedies that changed Hargitay's life forever. 

When Mariska Hargitay was just 3, her mother, actor Jayne Mansfield, tragically died in a car accident. According to History.com, Mansfield's car crashed into a trailer on Route 90, just east of New Orleans, on June 29, 1967. At the time, Mansfield was headed for New Orleans, where she was scheduled to appear on WDSU's "Midday," per Nola.com. History.com reported that due to a "thick white fog," the car Mansfield was in hit a trailer from behind — Mansfield, her driver Ronald B. Harrison, and friend Samuel S. Brody all died in the accident. According to the outlet, Hargitay was in the car at the time, along with her two siblings. 

Over the course of her illustrious career, Mansfield appeared in a number of celebrated films, from "The Girl Can't Help It" to "When Strangers Meet." And among her many successes are the Theater World Award and a Golden Globe Award. Today, Mansfield is buried in Pennsylvania. However, according to Nola.com, the crash site has become a popular tourist destination over the years. 

Mariska Hargitay opened up about her mother's death in a 2014 interview with James Lipton on "Inside The Actors Studio." "There are no accidents," Hargitay said. "And I believe God has a plan. Although I don't understand it, I do trust it. And I learned to make peace with what is." She's channeled this mindset into her career, explaining, "It's also helpful in acting. You have to accept what is and try to figure it out. I think my philosophy is what can I learn from this situation and how can I grow. Because that's the most important thing to me is growing."

In 2018, the "SVU" star sat down with People, where she once again got candid about the tragic loss. Hargitay told the outlet, "The way I've lived with loss is to lean into it. As the saying goes, the only way out is through. In my life, certainly I've tried to avoid pain, loss, feeling things. But I've learned instead to real­ly lean into it, because sooner or later you have to pay the piper." Still, that doesn't mean it's always rainbows and sunshine. She added, "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."

Today, Hargitay and her husband, "Younger" actor Peter Hermann, are parents to three children of their own: August Miklos Hermann, 15; Amaya Josephine Hermann, 10; and Andrew Nicholas Hermann, 9.