mariska hargitay brothers and sisters

Mariska Hargitay's Five Siblings: The Tragic Shared History And Where Jayne Mansfield's Children Are Now

mariska hargitay brothers and sisters

Mariska Hargitay’s family story is far more complex and compelling than many fans of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit realize, rooted in Hollywood royalty, a devastating tragedy, and a recently revealed secret about her parentage. As of December 18, 2025, the narrative surrounding the actress and her five siblings—who share various parents—has been brought back into the spotlight through candid interviews and a personal documentary, shedding light on how the children of screen legend Jayne Mansfield navigated their shared trauma and carved out unique lives for themselves. This deep dive explores the full Hargitay family tree, detailing the lives and careers of the brothers and sisters who form the supportive, yet complicated, inner circle of the beloved star.

The bond between Mariska and her siblings is one forged in the crucible of a childhood tragedy: the fatal 1967 car crash that killed their mother, Jayne Mansfield, and left a three-year-old Mariska and two of her brothers injured in the backseat. This shared history of loss and resilience is the central thread connecting the five children, each of whom has found a distinct path away from the relentless Hollywood spotlight, even as their sister Mariska became one of television's most enduring figures.

Mariska Magdolna Hargitay: A Full Profile and Biography

Mariska Magdolna Hargitay is an American actress, producer, and director best known for her iconic, long-running role as Captain Olivia Benson on the NBC drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Her life and career have been defined by both immense public success and a deeply personal, complex family history.

  • Full Name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay
  • Date of Birth: January 23, 1964
  • Place of Birth: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
  • Parents: Jayne Mansfield (Mother), Mickey Hargitay (Putative Father)
  • Biological Father Revelation: Later revealed to be singer Nelson Sardelli.
  • Spouse: Peter Hermann (m. 2004)
  • Children: August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, Amaya Josephine Hermann (adopted), Andrew Nicolas Hermann (adopted)
  • Known For: Portraying Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU since 1999, making her the longest-running female character in a primetime live-action series.
  • Awards: Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and multiple Gracie Awards.
  • Philanthropy: Founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Mariska's childhood was abruptly altered at age three when the car she was riding in crashed, killing her mother, Jayne Mansfield, and her mother's boyfriend and driver. Mariska and her two full brothers, Mickey Jr. and Zoltan, who were also in the back seat, survived the tragic accident. Following the crash, Mariska and her brothers were raised by their father, Mickey Hargitay, and his third wife, Ellen Siano.

The Five Children of Jayne Mansfield: Mariska's Full and Half-Siblings

Mariska Hargitay has five siblings, all of whom are children of the late Jayne Mansfield but share different fathers. This complex web of parentage is a source of both unique family bonds and a shared legacy that the siblings have navigated throughout their lives. The five siblings are Jayne Marie Mansfield, Miklós "Mickey" Hargitay Jr., Zoltán Hargitay, Mariska Hargitay, and Antonio "Tony" Cimber.

1. Jayne Marie Mansfield (Half-Sister)

Jayne Marie Mansfield is the eldest of Jayne Mansfield’s children, born from the star’s first marriage to Paul Mansfield. She is a half-sister to Mariska and her brothers. Jayne Marie was only 16 years old when her mother died in the car crash. Unlike her younger siblings, she was the only one of Mansfield's children to attend her funeral.

  • Parentage: Daughter of Jayne Mansfield and Paul Mansfield.
  • Career: She has worked as an actress and model, continuing to explore creative ventures within the entertainment industry.
  • Relationship with Mariska: The two half-sisters have been seen together at various public events, demonstrating a supportive relationship that bridges the gap in their parentage.

2. Miklós "Mickey" Hargitay Jr. (Full Brother)

Mickey Hargitay Jr. is Mariska’s full brother, the first son of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. He and Mariska share the same father (Mickey Hargitay) and mother (Jayne Mansfield). Mickey Jr. was also in the car during the fatal 1967 accident.

  • Parentage: Son of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay.
  • Career: He chose a path outside of the major Hollywood spotlight, becoming a successful local businessman. He has owned and operated "Mickey Hargitay's Plants," a popular plant store in Los Angeles, since 1980. He has also worked in the entertainment industry as an actor and stunt coordinator.

3. Zoltán Hargitay (Full Brother)

Zoltán, often referred to as Zoltan, is Mariska’s other full brother, the second son of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. Like Mariska and Mickey Jr., he was a survivor of the tragic car crash. Zoltan has been a key figure in helping Mariska explore her family history.

  • Parentage: Son of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay.
  • Career: While not a public-facing actor like Mariska, Zoltan is a writer and has contributed significantly to the exploration of his mother’s legacy. He was featured in Mariska’s documentary, *My Mom Jayne*, where he shared poignant and wrenching memories of their mother and the immediate aftermath of the crash.
  • Shared Trauma: Zoltan’s recollections in the documentary provided fresh, intimate details about the family’s life and the lasting impact of their mother’s death.

4. Antonio "Tony" Cimber (Half-Brother)

Antonio Cimber, known as Tony, is the youngest of Jayne Mansfield’s children and is Mariska’s half-brother. He was born from Mansfield’s third marriage to director Matt Cimber. Tony was also a baby in the car during the 1967 accident, surviving the tragic event alongside Mariska and her two older brothers.

  • Parentage: Son of Jayne Mansfield and Matt Cimber.
  • Current Life: Tony has largely maintained a private life away from the public eye, making him the least-known of Mansfield’s children.

The Other Half-Sibling: Tina Hargitay/Tina West

The Hargitay family tree also extends to include a half-sister from their father’s side. After the death of Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay married Ellen Siano. The couple had a daughter, Tina Hargitay (sometimes referred to as Tina West), who is a half-sister to Mariska, Mickey Jr., and Zoltan.

  • Parentage: Daughter of Mickey Hargitay and Ellen Siano.
  • Current Life: Tina Hargitay has consistently chosen a life away from the Hollywood spotlight, with very little publicly known about her career path or personal life.

The Enduring Legacy: How the Siblings Support Each Other Today

Despite the complex family structure involving three different fathers for the children and the shadow of their mother's tragic death, the Hargitay-Mansfield siblings have maintained a strong, supportive bond. Their shared history, particularly the trauma of the 1967 crash, serves as a powerful connection that transcends the differences in their parentage.

Mariska Hargitay has often spoken about the importance of family and how her brothers and sisters helped her process the grief and trauma of losing her mother at such a young age. The documentary *My Mom Jayne*, directed and produced by Mariska, served as a powerful, recent example of this collective healing, bringing the siblings together to share their memories and unravel the truth of their mother's legacy. This project, which included interviews with Jayne Marie, Mickey Jr., and Zoltan, demonstrates the enduring commitment of the siblings to honor their mother’s memory while supporting one another.

The siblings’ individual career paths—from a dedicated plant store owner and a documentary contributor to one of television's most recognized actresses—show a collective resilience. They have successfully navigated a difficult family history to forge meaningful lives, with Mariska Hargitay often being the public face of their shared, yet deeply personal, journey.

mariska hargitay brothers and sisters
mariska hargitay brothers and sisters

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mariska hargitay brothers and sisters
mariska hargitay brothers and sisters

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