Mariska Hargitay, the Emmy-winning star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has been married to actor Peter Hermann for over 20 years. Before their August 2004 wedding, Hargitay had a quiet dating life, linked to a few notable figures in Hollywood. She now shares three children with Hermann and continues to celebrate their enduring bond.
Profile Summary
Full name: Mariska Magdolna Hargitay. Born 23 January 1964 in Santa Monica, California, she is 62 years old as of 2026. An Aquarius, she stands 5'7" (170 cm) and weighs 141 lbs (64 kg). She is married to Peter Hermann and has three children. She attended Marymount High School and the University of California, working as an actress, director, producer, and philanthropist.
Before the Ring: Dating History
Richard Anthony Crenna (Late 1980s)
In the late 1980s, Hargitay dated actor Richard Anthony Crenna, son of Emmy-winning actor Richard Crenna. They were together from about 1986 to 1988, attending events like Chad McQueen's wedding in May 1987, the February 1988 premiere of Shoot to Kill, and the May 1988 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for Richard Crenna.
Grant Show (1993)
In 1993, Hargitay briefly dated Grant Show, then famous for his role on Melrose Place. They met through the television industry and appeared together at the 19th Annual People's Choice Awards in March 1993. The relationship was short-lived but ended amicably.
Steven Reuther (Mid-1990s)
After his 1993 divorce, producer Steven Reuther dated Hargitay in the mid-1990s. He accompanied her to events like the 1994 premiere of Forrest Gump. Reuther, who produced hits like Pretty Woman and Face/Off, died of cancer in June 2010 at age 58.
Maria Bello (1997 – Rumours)
Starting in 1997, Hargitay and actress Maria Bello sparked romance rumours after working together on ER. They appeared together at red carpet events, but both have maintained their relationship is purely platonic. In a December 2010 interview, Bello said: “Mariska and I have known each other for 13 years. Our first—my first TV series ever, ER, we met on that. Mariska introduced me to my baby's father, so she's kind of responsible for my baby, and I'm so happy to be with her 13 years later working on this show.”
Marriage to Peter Hermann (2002–Present)
The defining moment came in 2002 when Peter Hermann guest-starred on Law & Order: SVU during its third season. Their on-set chemistry led to a romance. For their first official date, Hermann invited Hargitay to church. She recalled to InStyle, as reported by Hello! magazine: “He asked me to go to church with him. And I was moving, and I said, 'Peter, I would love to but not today.' And he goes, 'Oh come on, it's an hour. It's an hour.' It was so funny; I just couldn't resist, so I went to church, and I am crying, and he thinks I am so moved by the sermon, and I am crying because I am like, 'I know I am going to marry him. I found my husband. I love him.'”
In a June 2019 interview with People, Hermann shared the moment he knew he wanted to marry Hargitay: “It was Mariska's birthday, 40th birthday. And I actually saw Mariska with all of the people that she loved around her. It was like seeing this person who was now in the soil, that she was just dying to be planted in it. Right? Which was this abundance of people and this abundance of love and I thought, 'I want to be part of that soil.'”
The couple married on 28 August 2004 in Santa Barbara, California. They have three children: biological son August (born 2006) and adopted daughter Amaya and son Andrew (both adopted in 2011).
Life After Marriage
Reflecting on their bond at the Law & Order 25th anniversary in January 2024, Hargitay told E! News: “Peter is such a deep and soulful human. I just love getting to know him on a deeper level. And so there's always more.” She added on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in January 2024: “I'm at a point in my life where it just keeps getting better with him. And marriage is not always like this. Or any relationship that is deep and matters. But, you know, I have learned so much.”
In June 2026, after going viral for her reaction to the New York Knicks' NBA Finals victory, Hargitay joked to The Hollywood Reporter: “I love my husband, and our wedding night was great and all, but I think it might have been the greatest night of my life.”
FAQs
Who has Mariska Hargitay dated? She has been in relationships with Steven Reuther, Richard Anthony Crenna, and Grant Show.
How old is Mariska Hargitay? 62 years old, born 23 January 1964.
Who is Mariska Hargitay married to? Actor Peter Hermann.
Who was Mariska Hargitay's first husband? Peter Hermann is her first and only husband.
How long did she date before marrying? About two years; they married on 28 August 2004.
How long has she been married? Nearly 22 years as of 2026.
Who are her children? Biological son August, and adopted children Amaya and Andrew.
