Stay strong, Captain Olivia Benson! Mariska Hargitay is going through a rite of passage for many parents – their oldest child’s high school graduation.
The 60 year old man Law and Order: Special Victims Unit actress attended the first Gotham TV Awards on Tuesday, where she gave an emotional speech upon receiving the birthday honor.
Reflecting on his 25 years later SVUHargitay, who is married to the actor Pedro Hermanncompared the milestone to the upcoming graduation of his son, August Hermann.
“My husband, Peter, and I are watching our oldest son graduate, and we’ve been walking around the house for the last few months just muttering, ‘Where does the time go? Where does the time go, what happened?'” Hargitay shared , visibly moved as she wiped away a tear. “And in a way, after 25 years, I could also be the lady in the NYPD uniform moving around on the set. SVU saying, ‘Where does the time go?’ But I know where that was… my time was spent bringing these difficult topics out of the darkness and into the light.”
In addition to August, Hargitay is also mom to daughter, Amaya, 12, and son, Andrew, 12.
Hargitay spoke to ET on the Gotham Awards carpet where she brought her husband as her date for the night. The couple is set to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in August, and Hargitay has vivid memories of their first date.
“My knees are getting weak” Hargitay told ET what she remembered most from her initial meeting with Hermann. “It’s so amazing. It’s so incredible. There are so many milestones this year.”
She also reflected on her time in SVU, telling ET, “It’s been amazing. It’s been 25 years and I didn’t get to absorb it until this year. I think (because of) the milestone of it all. I was walking into my wrap party with my 17-year-old son. (and) I remember saying, ‘Let’s go to the wrap party for my TV show that’s been on for 25 years.’ I don’t feel anywhere near finished and that’s a good thing.”
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