Mariska Hargitay recalls heartbreaking conversation with dad Mickey over shocking family secret
Mariska Hargitay has dropped a shocking revelation about Mickey Hargitay, claiming that he is not her biological father. The Law & Order actor had known this for years but chose to go public only recently, Parade reported. The 61-year-old first discussed it ahead of the release of My Mom Jayne, a documentary about her late mother, Jayne Mansfield. File photo of Mariska Hargitay (CJ Rivera/Invision/AP)
Mariska Hargitay first shared the news about her biological father being Italian singer Nelson Sardelli last month in an interview with Vanity Fair. In a chat with Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast, she revealed that she found out about Sardelli when she was 25 years old. Hargitay was visiting someone who collected her mother's memorabilia. For the Law and Order actor, the truth about her biological father made her feel that 'identity was just smashed."
Mariska recounted the emotional moment she confronted Mickey Hargitay with the truth. At the time, Mickey was building her a house. The actress was 'hysterically crying' when she went to see Mickey.
ALSO READ: Mariska Hargitay revisits the life and legacy of late mother Jayne Mansfield in new HBO documentary Mickey's reaction was firm and full of denial
'He was like, 'What are you talking about? Are you crazy? That's so not true,'' Mariska Hargitay said. Despite the shocking discovery, Mickey reassured her of his love and place in her life.
Mickey kept reminding her that Mariska is a 'Hargitay to the end,' even if she didn't share his blood, she recalled. 'Mini-Mickey' and the moment she grew up
'The irony is that I'm more like my dad than anyone in our whole family. I am mini-Mickey, so it was just a very extraordinarily painful moment,' Mariska Hargitay said. 'I say that this is the moment that I became an adult, and it's so visceral for me because I was in so much pain. I was so overwhelmed.'
The emotional weight of the moment marked a turning point in her life. Though the truth shattered her sense of identity, the love she shared with Mickey was stronger than any DNA.
After seeing how deeply the conversation affected Mickey, Mariska chose to let it go. 'It doesn't matter what I feel, I love him … and we're done here, we're done here,' she said. 'I pretended that I believed him, and we never spoke of it again.'
Mickey Hargitay passed away in 2006. After that, Mariska built a relationship with Nelson Sardelli, now 90, and his daughters – her sisters.
'I grew up where I was supposed to, and I do know that everyone made the best choice for me,' she told Vanity Fair in May. 'I'm Mickey Hargitay's daughter—that is not a lie.' FAQs: 1. Who is Mariska Hargitay's biological father?
Mariska Hargitay revealed that her biological father is Italian singer Nelson Sardelli, not Mickey Hargitay as previously believed. 2. When did Mariska Hargitay find out about her biological father?
She discovered the truth at the age of 25, during a visit to someone who collected memorabilia of her late mother, Jayne Mansfield. 3. How did Mickey Hargitay react when Mariska confronted him about her real father?
Mickey denied the claim, saying, 'What are you talking about? Are you crazy?' However, he reassured Mariska of his unconditional love, saying she was a 'Hargitay to the end.' 4. Did Mariska Hargitay build a relationship with Nelson Sardelli after Mickey's death?
Yes, after Mickey Hargitay passed away in 2006, Mariska formed a bond with Nelson Sardelli and his daughters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Amazon Tycoon Jeff Bezos, Fiancee Lauren Sanchez Arrive In Venice For Lavish Wedding
Italy: Amazon's billionaire founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez arrived in Venice on Wednesday ahead of their wedding, an event that has sparked protests in the Italian city. Bezos, the world's fourth-richest person, and his former television anchor bride-to-be were seen stepping off a water taxi at the Aman Hotel on the Grand Canal. The couple's three-day nuptials are due to start on Thursday, and the wedding ceremony is to be held at a secret location. Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are said to have booked out the city's finest hotels for a star-studded guest list rumoured to include Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom. Ivanka Trump, the oldest daughter of US President Donald Trump, arrived with her husband, Jared Kushner and their three children on Tuesday afternoon. Rumours have swirled that the ceremony might be held at the Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, or at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse. At least 95 private planes have requested permission to land at Venice's Marco Polo airport, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said, with the pair reportedly inviting about 200 guests. The lavish celebration has sparked soul-searching in Venice, one of the world's most popular tourism destinations, where some fear the arrival of so many A-list guests and their entourages will make life worse. Greenpeace highlighted the hypocrisy of spending huge amounts on partying in a fragile city "sinking under the weight of the climate crisis". Activists unfurled a giant banner in St Mark's Square on Monday, with a picture of Bezos laughing and a sign reading: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax." Sanchez has also been criticised for saying more must be done to tackle climate change while also taking part in a space flight in April on a rocket developed by Bezos's space company Blue Origin.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
"All Fine In Fashion, Love, And War": Shobhaa De On Prada's Kolhapuri Flats Row
Much like everything's fair game in love and war, author Shobhaa De downplayed the row over Prada unveiling Kolhapuri flats at a Milan show, without crediting its legacy, saying "it's all fine in fashion, love, and war". The Italian luxury label made no effort to credit the Kolhapuri flats' Indian legacy. Some critics have derisively called it "chappal chori". The fashion powerhouse showcased Kolhapuri chappals on the runway at Milan. The flats were reportedly priced at over Rs 1.25 lakh. The Kolhapuri chappals are not just a pair of sandals - it's a heritage craft that dates back to the 12th century, traditionally handmade by cobblers in Maharashtra and Karnataka. "I don't understand what the outrage is about at all. We should be amused. If anything, we may be flattered. But outrage, come on. Kolhapuri has a GI tag. It's very much a part of our legacy. It was first noticed, not just noticed, but commissioned in the 12th century, worn in the 13th century," Ms De told NDTV. "It takes six weeks even today to be crafted. It is unique. It is very, very distinctive. I mean, let me show you my Kolhapuri. I hope you can see it on camera. I've been wearing Kolhapuris for the longest, longest time. First, because my ancestors come from Kolhapur. And secondly, it's a legacy I'm extremely proud of," Ms De said, flaunting her Kolhapuris. Underlining the point further, Ms De said she has been wearing Kolhapuris right through college, adding "they're all weather". Asked who will buy these flats at such an astronomical price, Mr Dey said,"If Prada has decided that, yes, why not sell them for 1.2 lakhs? And there are idiots around the world who are willing to buy it at that price. I don't think we should be getting up in arms about this. It's maybe some kind of an indirect tribute. Who knows it will lead to a revival." The Kolhapuris have a GI tag, meaning it has to be made in Kolhapur or Satara or even Karnataka, Bijapur, Dharwad and so on, making the chappals very much a part of the Indian tradition of footwear. "I would not call it a sandal. And the French are calling it a chapal. It's not a chapal. There's no question of a chapal. They're just doing what they've done for decades. Appropriating a lot that has to do with Indian craftsmanship, Indian traditions. They don't care to acknowledge it," she said. The writer argued that these brands are looking at India as a market, but added that India is not the market for Kolhapuris because "we have them as our own". "I can get a pretty decent pair for say Rs 500 to 700," she said, wondering which Indian will be foolish enough to pay 1.2 lakhs for a Prada Kolhapuri. "But if the rest of the world suddenly wakes up to how comfortable it is and how, you know, the Beatles made it very popular way back in the 70s. They were always in kurta pajamas and Kolhapuris. There are other top bracket brands. LVMH has just unveiled their collection. They've got snakes and ladders and music. They've got an auto rickshaw bag for God knows how many lakhs. India is the market. India is the moment," said Ms De. The writer said this is not just a fashion moment, but as "moment for all our craft skills" to be showcased to the world. "Whether or not the designers choose to acknowledge the source, I don't think we should be up in arms about that," she reiterated. The writer said India should neither crave nor beg for an acknowledgement as this is something that these big fashion houses have always done. "There will never be an acknowledgement from any of these guys. We should not expect it. We should not beg for it. We should not crave it. We know what we produce is by far the best. These are hand-stitched with organic leather. There are no nails, no rivets as I said. They're made from buffalo hide and the detailing is done with goat leather. These are uniquely our products. So if they want to appropriate them, good luck to them. They've done it always. They've stolen so much from us," she said, adding next on line will be jutis and mojris. Asked if the Kolhapuris are in a fashion slump and will featuring in a Prada line up spark a revival, Ms De said,"I mean these are really unique to us and if there is a revival, well God bless Prada if they make that happen and we all suddenly go back to wearing what, well at least for me, I've worn since my school days, certainly through my college." "All things India and all things Indian seem to be coming back into vogue and good for us. We should exploit the moment. We shouldn't be sitting there and crying about cultural appropriation. I'm sure we have done the same with some of their products in reverse. It's all fine. It's all fine in fashion, love and war as far as I can tell," she said. Asked if she has a message for the artists, Ms De said, "They should feel extremely encouraged. And if some of those orders, not from Prada maybe, from other fashion forward houses, even in India, come to these artisans, then it's a win-win for all. Because if there is that sudden interest, especially the younger generation who may not have grown up wearing Kolhapuris."
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Take Over Venice Hotel For Wedding, Guests 'Thrown Out': Report
Guests at the ultra-luxury Aman Venice hotel were reportedly asked to vacate their rooms as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez rented out the entire property for their high-profile wedding in the Italian city, according to a report by Page Six. Citing an unnamed insider, the report described a scene of 'chaos" in the hotel lobby as security teams began sweeping the premises. The source said, as per the outlet, 'Ten or twelve security guys were doing a sweep, checking cabinets and the courtyard", adding that several guests were questioned about their reservations and some were asked to leave. 'Guests who had previously booked [at] the hotel for Wednesday night a long time in advance were booted once Bezos rented the entire space a few months ago," the insider told the outlet. The affected people were reportedly relocated to other luxury hotels, with Aman Venice covering the cost of transport, an upgraded room and a free night's stay. Venue Switch After Protests The wedding venue underwent a dramatic change as originally it was set to be held at the opulent 16th-century Scuola Grande della Misericordia. The main reception has now been moved to the Arsenale- a historic Venetian shipyard- following threats of disruption by local activists. Protesters had reportedly planned to release inflatable crocodiles into Venice's canals to protest the billionaire's extravagant celebrations. Despite the change in plans, the guest list remains star-studded, with names like Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Barbra Streisand and Leonardo DiCaprio expected to attend.
