Wed Jun 25 21:00:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Mariska Hargitay Discovers Shocking Truth About Her Biological Father**
**NEW YORK, NY –** In a revealing interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay disclosed a stunning revelation from her past: the man she believed to be her father, Hungarian actor Mickey Hargitay, was not her biological father. At age 25, Hargitay learned that Italian singer Nelson Sardelli is her biological father.
The discovery came during a visit to a memorabilia collector of her late mother, actress Jayne Mansfield. While viewing photos, the collector mentioned Sardelli, causing Hargitay to question his identity. She immediately felt a deep connection upon seeing a picture, confirming the collector’s implication.
The news sent Hargitay into emotional turmoil. Raised by Mickey Hargitay after Mansfield’s death in a car accident, she felt her identity shattered. She struggled to reconcile the information that her “brothers weren’t her brothers” and she was “not Hungarian”.
Mariska confronted Mickey Hargitay about it, but he denied it. Despite the emotional impact, Hargitay prioritized her relationship with the only father she had ever known and chose not to press the issue.
Hargitay also grappled with Sardelli’s apparent lack of acknowledgment. At 61, Hargitay expressed gratitude for the opportunity to view the situation with a broader understanding. “I’m so grateful for this life to grow into the miracle of my story, and having this comprehensive understanding.”
First Piper 