She is Jayne Mansfield's daughter

Traumatic: Mariska Hargitay Reflects On The Death Of Her Mother (†34)

"Traumatic": Mariska Hargitay on the death of her mother Jayne Mansfield

Mariska Hargitay opened up about the loss of her mother, Jayne Mansfield, and the trauma she experienced. She highlighted the significance of healing, therapy, and the support she receives through her own foundation.

Mariska Hargitay opens up about childhood and loss
Founding the Joyful Heart Foundation
Healing and hope through therapy

Mariska Hargitay (60), the well-known actress from 'Law & Order: SVU,' reflected on the tragic loss of her mother, Jayne Mansfield. Speaking at the "HOPE Luncheon" for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, she openly discussed her childhood, which was shaped by grief.

"I lost my mother when I was 3 years old, and I grew up in a house of people dealing with the tragedy in their own way," said Mariska. The loss of her mother, who tragically died in a car accident in 1967, deeply affected her family. Mariska and two of her siblings were in the car at the time and survived the devastating crash. Jayne Mansfield was just 34 years old at the time of her death.

Mariska Hargitay’s childhood and loss

Mariska Hargitay described how, in her family, "there wasn't room to prioritize anyone" because the grief was overwhelming. The resources available today to understand and process trauma were not present at the time, and these early experiences shaped her approach to handling loss and pain. In a 2018 interview, she shared: "The way I've lived with loss is to lean into it."

Establishment of the joyful heart foundation

The founding of the Joyful Heart Foundation two decades ago played a crucial role in her healing journey. "I built a whole foundation that responded to trauma and survivors the way that I wanted to be responded to," she said. The organization reflects her personal experiences and aims to provide support for others affected by trauma.

Mariska Hargitay highlighted the importance of therapy and support in her healing process. She has benefitted from exceptional therapists and the diverse healing methods she has learned along the way. "I had the good fortune to find extraordinary therapists who introduced me to many different healing modalities... These modalities gave me my life back," she noted. Despite the challenges that come with complex trauma, Hargitay remains hopeful and encourages others affected by it, assuring them that "there is hope."