Mariska Hargitay is undoubtedly one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. However, for this talented star, her most important job is being a mom to her three children. Alongside her devoted husband, Peter Hermann, the “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” actress has been raising her beloved brood: August, Amaya, and Andrew. Following their wedding in 2004, Mariska and Peter waited two years before starting their family.

August, their first child, was born in 2006. The day, when August Miklos Friedrich Hermann was born, brought the greatest joy to the woman, and now that her son is all grown up, he bears a striking resemblance to her.

Birth and Age

Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann only have one biological child together, and that child’s name is August Miklos Friedrich Hermann. August Miklos Freidrich Hermann’s birth was a challenging one, as he arrived via emergency C-section on June 28, 2006. Mariska Hargitay, his mother, was 42 years old at the time and eagerly awaited his arrival. In fact, Hargitay expressed her excitement for her pregnancy, craving maternity pants and eagerly awaiting each milestone. However, Hargitay’s pregnancy was not without its challenges. During her third trimester, she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which required her to alter her diet.

Although she struggled to restrict her food intake during her pregnancy, Hargitay was determined to ensure that August was healthy and nourished in utero. As Hargitay’s pregnancy advanced, her mobility decreased, making it difficult for her to move easily. Despite this, she was filled with joy and anticipation for the day when she would meet her son August. As of 2023, August Miklos Freidrich Hermann is soon to be 18 years old.

The Name- August Miklos Freidrich Hermann

Peter Hermann wanted to commemorate his family heritage by naming his first child ‘August’, a name that had been passed down in his family for 200 years. This was a meaningful way for him to preserve the family legacy and continue the tradition of bestowing the name over generations. Likewise, Mariska Hargitay also wanted to honor her loved ones by giving their first child names from her family. She chose ‘Miklos’ to honor her late father, and Peter chose ‘Friedrich’ to honor his grandfather. By incorporating these names into their son’s full name, August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, Hargitay and Hermann created a meaningful name that pays tribute to both of their families.

Mariska Hargitay -The Mother

Mariska Hargitay’s early years were marked by a tragic loss when she lost her mother, Jayne Mansfield, in a car accident that left her fighting for her own life as a child. Despite this hurdle, Hargitay remained resolute in her desire to become a mother herself as an adult. Hargitay’s own journey of motherhood was undoubtedly shaped by the memory of her own mother and the life that was cut short. As she matured, the actress chose to break away from her mother’s renowned standing as a sex symbol and pursue her own acting career. She achieved iconic roles on “ER” and “Law & Order: SVU.” Despite the difficulties she encountered, Hargitay’s resilience and commitment to her ambitions demonstrate her strength as a woman and mother.

Mariska Hargitay Finds Love on the Set of “Law & Order”

Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann’s love story started on the set of “Law & Order: SVU,” where they met while working together. Mariska Hargitay portrayed Lieutenant Olivia Benson, while Peter Hermann had a one-time guest role as defense attorney Trevor Langan. Their connection was immediate, and they began dating soon after meeting each other.

Hargitay was so taken with Hermann that she cried during their first date, overcome with emotion at finding the man of her dreams. After their 2004 wedding ceremony, the couple faced challenges when it came to starting a family. Pregnancy complications made it difficult for Hargitay, but after two years, they welcomed their first child, August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, on June 28, 2006. Despite the difficulties they faced, Hargitay and Hermann’s love for each other and their desire to build a family helped them overcome any obstacles in their way.

Difficulties of Balancing Career and Motherhood After Giving Birth at 42

At 42, she gave birth to her son through an emergency C-section. However, as her son was growing up, Hargitay struggled to juggle her acting career and personal life. She expressed her difficulties one time saying that it was hard not knowing all the parents at her son’s school and feeling envious of others being able to take their child to school and pick them up, creating a sense of community.

Overcoming Age Obstacles and Expanding their Family

Despite challenges posed by age, Hermann and Hargitay were motivated to grow their family. August desired siblings, and the couple yearned to extend their love, leading them to initiate the adoption process in 2010. With perseverance, the couple successfully adopted Amaya Josephine on April 7, 2011. Soon after, they expanded their family once again by adopting a little boy named Andrew Nicolas. August Miklos Freidrich Hermann is very close to his two siblings.

The Priority of Family

As an adoptive parent, Hargitay’s love knows no bounds. The birth of Andrew brought happiness to their family, despite his premature arrival. The adoption process was straightforward for the couple, and the bond shared by all three siblings blossomed seamlessly.

Although the couple is somewhat private about their children, one aspect is never in doubt – giving their children their undivided attention when it’s time. With her children being the top priority, Hargitay has even contemplated leaving “Law & Order.” However, with 20 years of working together, the cast and crew share her family-first outlook and support her needs to swiftly wrap up things so that she can spend time with her children.

Closing Thoughts

Mariska Hargitay encountered numerous obstacles on her path to becoming a mother, such as complications during pregnancy, finding a balance between work and parenting, and increasing her family size. However, the actress’ determination and love for her family remained unwavering, and she emerged victorious from all the hurdles. August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, her eldest son, remains the most important person in her life and has a special bond with his two siblings, Amaya and Andrew. Hargitay’s family is her top priority and her love for her children is unwavering. She is an inspiration to many mothers.