Law & Order: SVU's Mariska Hargitay and husband Peter Hermann have the best meet-cute – in 1999 Peter was a guest actor on SVU's third season as defense attorney Trevor Langan, and sparks between the pair flew. Weeks later they began dating after Peter asked Mariska to join him at a church service.
After two years together, they tied the knot on August 28, 2004, and in 2006 welcomed their son August Miklos Friedrich. Daughter Amaya then joined the family before being followed by son Andrew Nicolas in 2011.
In the 20 years since they expanded their family, the pair have enjoyed soe incredible sweet moments together – here are 10 of the best….
© WireImagePeter and Mariska raised their children in New York City where SVU films and in 2010, this adorable moment of son August giving his mom a high five on the set was caught on camera.
© Getty ImagesIn 2013 Mariska was honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and her kids were all in attendance to help mom celebrate – even if two-year-old Andrew wanted to be let loose…
© Getty ImagesThat same year, the kids were treated to the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Experience in New York – and met DJ Lance Rock!
© Getty ImagesIt doesn't surprise us to learn that Mariska has instilled a love of New York Knicks basketball into her kids.
In 2018, the family of five sat courtside to watch the team play the Celtics, and Andrew couldn't help but joi his mom in cheering the team on.
© Mariska HargitayFamilies were left in close quarters in 2020 as the COVID pandemic swept the world. The Hermann-Hargitay family stayed in New York City – and that Halloween dressed up as Greek gods, with mom and dad as Zeus and Hera, while their kids appeared to be Poseidon (with the trident), Ares and Apollo.
© Mariska HargitayThe following year, the gang took inspiration from The Wizard Of Oz, with Mariska making the perfect Dorothy, Peter as the Tin Man, eldest son August as the Scarecrow and Amaya as Glinda.
But, as Mariska put it – the standout was Andrew, who put on quite the show as the Cowardly Lion, posing with his tail in between his teeth.
“There’s no place like home. and the Oscar goes to Andrew Hermann for the cowardly lion!!!!" she captioned her post.
© Mariska HargitayThe family is big Disney fans, and in 2022 they visited the happiest place on earth — Disney World! Amaya's relationship with older brother August was on show in this snap shared by Mariska, as he held a tired Amaya in his arms...
© Getty ImagesOver the years, the family have come together to support organizations they champion, including getting dolled up for the 2023 Stuttering Association For The Young (SAY) Benefit Gala.
© AFP via Getty ImagesBy 2025, the children were all teenagers: August, 18, and Amaya and Andrew, both 14. Mariska was still working on SVU but was also spreading her wings into directing, going behind the camera for My Mom Jayne, a highly personal look at the life of her late mother Jayne Mansfield.
August, Amaya, and Andrew, along with husband Peter, proudly cheered on Mariska as she premiered the film around the globe, including at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
© WireImageThat same year, they attended the TriBeca Film Festival in their red carpet best, with August and Andrew rocking matching bowties and suits, while Amaya wore white to match her dad's white tuxedo. Mariska wore a gorgeous black dress, paired with white gloves and a sparkling shawl.
