Mariska Hargitay, the beloved star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has amassed a net worth of $100 million, largely thanks to her decades-long career in television.
Most famous for portraying Detective Olivia Benson since 1999, she has earned critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award, for her portrayal of the character.
Over the years, Hargitay’s work ethic, longevity in the role, and savvy business deals have made her one of the highest-paid actresses on TV.
Salary from Law & Order: SVU
Mariska Hargitay’s salary for SVU is reported to be $500,000 per episode, making her one of the highest-paid TV actresses.
With a typical season running 22 episodes, she earns around $11 million per year in base salary alone.
Including bonuses and royalties, her total earnings from the show often range between $13 to $15 million annually.
In previous contract negotiations, her salary has steadily increased, reflecting her immense popularity and importance to the show. For instance, after season 10, her salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on January 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California, Mariska was thrust into the spotlight early, as the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and Hungarian Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay.
Her mother tragically passed away in a car accident when Mariska was just three-and-a-half years old.
Raised by her father and his third wife, Hargitay pursued acting from a young age. She won the title of Miss Beverly Hills USA and later attended UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television before leaving early to join the Groundlings improv group.
This led to guest roles in several TV series in the late 1980s, including Falcon Crest, Tequila & Bonetti, Seinfeld, and ER.
Breakthrough Role in SVU
In 1999, Hargitay’s big break came when she was cast as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU. Her audition for the role was successful, and she was chosen for her chemistry with co-star Christopher Meloni.
To prepare for the role, Hargitay trained to become a rape crisis advocate, ensuring she could accurately portray the emotional complexity of her character.
Since then, Olivia Benson has become an iconic role, and Hargitay has been an essential part of the show for over two decades.
Her performance has earned her multiple awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Hargitay also expanded her role behind the camera, directing several episodes of SVU.
Personal Life
Mariska Hargitay married actor Peter Hermann in 2004, whom she met on the set of SVU. The couple has three children: a son born in 2006 and two adopted children.
Hargitay is also dedicated to philanthropy, founding the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, which provides support to survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Real Estate
Hargitay and her husband Peter Hermann have invested heavily in real estate. In 2012, they bought a luxurious townhouse near Central Park for $10.7 million, though they later sold it at a loss for $9.75 million in 2019.
They also own a large 7,000-square-foot home in East Hampton, New York, purchased for $7.34 million in 2010.
