Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 19, 2025 · Entertainment

Mariska Hargitay's Heartwarming Reconciliation with Biological Father

Mariska Hargitay revealed she recently had a sweet conversation with her biological father Nelson Sardelli; pictured June 13

SCANDALOUS FAMILY SECRETS REVEALED: Mariska Hargitay Spills Tea on Her Biological Father's Apology and Her Journey to Self-Discovery

In a jaw-dropping revelation, Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay spilled the tea on her family secrets during a recent documentary screening. The 61-year-old actress stunned the audience by sharing a heartwarming conversation she had with her biological father, Nelson Sardelli, on Father's Day.

As you may know, Mariska revealed in her documentary "My Mom Jayne" that Mickey Hargitay, the man who raised her, was not her real dad. The shocking revelation sent shockwaves through Hollywood and left fans wondering what other secrets the actress might be hiding.

Mariska's mom, 60s bombshell Jayne Mansfield, had a months-long relationship with the singer before reconciling with estranged husband Mickey Hargitay; pictured in 1963

But fast-forward to Father's Day, when Mariska had a surprise encounter with Sardelli, now 90 years young. In a heartwarming exchange, she revealed that he apologized for his past decisions and expressed gratitude for her forgiveness. "He said, 'Thank you for forgiving me.' And I said, 'Thank you for making the choice that you made,'" Mariska recalled during the Q&A session.

But this isn't just any ordinary family drama – it's a tale of secrecy, self-discovery, and healing. Mariska opened up about her decades-long journey to come to terms with her family's secrets, revealing that she once felt unworthy, unloved, and abandoned. "I spent my life feeling like I wasn't good enough," she confessed.

However, after years of introspection and self-reflection, Mariska has found peace and acceptance. "Now I feel like I have two mothers, I have two fathers," she proudly declared during the screening.

In June Hargitay paid tribute to her late mother, who died in a car accident in 1967, by wearing a similar look worn by the movie star at the Cannes Film Festival in 1958

The documentary also delves into her childhood, revealing that Sardelli left Mariska to be raised by Mickey Hargitay, a Hungarian bodybuilder. But as an adult, Mariska has made peace with her family dynamics and is now using her platform to share her story with the world.

Mariska's siblings include sisters Tina Hargitay, 76, Jayne Marie Mansfield, 74, Mickey Hargitay Jr., 66, Zoltan Hargitay, 64, and Tony Cimber, 59. But what about their mom, Jayne Mansfield? Mariska revealed that her mom's tragic death at the age of 34 left a lasting impact on her life.

"I think the reason I made this movie now is because I was ready to make it now," she explained during an appearance on TheScholarlyNote.com. "I had the time to sit with each letter and people had sent me things that were truly a gift... So, I said, 'I think I wanna dig in here.'"

Mansfield and Sardelli seen sharing a kiss at San Francisco International Airport in May 1963

The documentary has been praised for its raw honesty and emotional depth. Mariska's journey from pain to self-acceptance is an inspiration to anyone who has struggled with their own family secrets.

As the saying goes – the truth will set you free. For Mariska Hargitay, that truth has come in the form of a heartwarming conversation with her biological father and a documentary that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

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Jayne pictured holding a six-week-old Mariska in 1964