Mariska Hargitay Stuns as an ‘Exquisite Lady in Red’ in a Figure-Hugging Gown on the Red Carpet

Sep 23, 2025 by apost team

Mariska Hargitay has been in the spotlight since childhood due to her celebrity parents. As the daughter of bombshell Jayne Mansfield and bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, it is no wonder that Mariska went into show business. Tragically, Mansfield was killed in a car accident when Mariska was 3 years old. The actress was in the car when the accident occurred and has a scar on the side of her head shaped like a zig-zag. 

The star has had an incredible career, having starred in the popular television drama "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" since 1999. Mariska is the winner of a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her performance on the show. Before she became Olivia Benson on "Law and Order," Mariska appeared in several films and TV series. Her debut came in 1984 when she was featured in a music video for "She Loves My Car" by Ronnie Milsap. After that, the actress had a small role in a horror film called "Ghoulies." 

Some of the other TV shows Mariska has been involved in include "Freddy's Nightmares – A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series," "Baywatch," and "In the Heat of the Night." The star also made guest appearances on "Falcon Crest" and "Seinfeld." In her 60s, Mariska still looks gorgeous despite dividing her time between her career and being a full-time mother to her three children.

Fans are still stunned to see photos of the actress looking glamorous on any occasion she attends. Continue reading to learn more about Mariska and how her beauty has remained unchanged throughout the years.

Mariska inherited her stunning face from her parents, Mansfield and Mickey. In detail, Mariska followed in her mother's footsteps by entering beauty pageants. She was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA and also competed in the Miss California USA competition. She later attended acting school before launching her career.

She is best known for starring as Captain Olivia Benson on the NBC drama series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." It was in this role that Mariska's strong resemblance to her mother became apparent. Mariska told PEOPLE that the resemblance to her mother is an honor and tribute to her, and that it helps her feel as if "she is still with me." 

Decades later, and a lifetime without her mother, Mariska reminisced about her career in comparison to her mother's. She said in the same interview:

"My mother was this amazing, beautiful glamorous sex symbol — but people didn't know that she played the violin and had a 160 IQ and had five kids and loved dogs … She was an inspiration, she had this appetite for life, and I think I share that with her."

After being compared to her mom for the majority of her life, she has now embraced the similarities, saying:

"Someone once said about (remembering) my mother: 'All you have to do is look in the mirror.'"

Mariska isn't against cosmetic surgery or treatments, having once said, "if you want to do something to help you look more refreshed, I'm all for it." However, she did tell Ladies' Home Journal, according to Style Caster:

"Things are sagging a bit – I'm not going to lie. But am I going to be upset about the sag or am I going to look at my three gorgeous kids and my husband and count my lucky stars?" 

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Mariska turned 61 on Jan. 23, 2025, and for her, aging is not something that she nor Captain Olivia Benson fears. She told PEOPLE: "I'm so excited. I announce it constantly," and continued:

"I'm proud of it. I'm stronger than I've ever been. The age thing was never something I was scared of." 

Hargitay continued:

"I didn't get cast (on SVU) until I was 35 and then the show kept going as I aged. At 45, we'd been on for ten years and I just met my husband [when Hermann had a guest role on the show.] The man of my dreams. I got married at 40. I had August (her eldest son) at 42. So it was like defying all the odds."

In an Instagram post shared on June 15, 2023, Mariska posted a throwback photo of herself from an unspecified year. In the picture, the actress wore a cropped white shirt with "Sleeping Beauty" on it. She added the hashtags "#WayBackWednesday and #SleepingBeauty" to the post's caption. As expected, Mariska's fans rushed to the comments section, discussing how beautiful they found her. One of her fans commented: "Just as beautiful today as you were then 💕." 

On Jan. 16, 2024, "Law & Order: SVU" celebrated the premiere of Season 25 in New York City. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Mariska tearfully stated: "I hope that her legacy is that she helped a lot of people heal," she continued: "It's too early to cry, people! It's way too early."

Mariska sparkled like a mirror ball in her sequined dress, in the traditional color of the milestone anniversary. She posted a carousel of photos of her look on Instagram, which had her fans singing her praises. A fan raved:

"I know your husband told you, you looked amazing but GIRL YOUR GORGEOUS 60 ain't got nothing on you babyyyyy."

At the 77th Emmy Awards on Sep. 14, 2025, Hargitay turned the red carpet into a tribute, balancing timeless elegance with personal meaning. Though not up for an award, the "Law & Order: SVU" star had a prominent role as a presenter, sharing the stage with fellow cast members. Her fashion choice drew instant attention: a strapless, burgundy velvet gown with a corseted bodice, a mermaid silhouette, and a dramatic train. The lush velvet and striking crimson shade evoked the golden age of Hollywood, projecting the aura of a classic screen siren.

The dress also told a deeper story. With its nod to mid-century glamour and the dramatic textures often associated with showgirl style, the look paid homage to Hargitay's late mother. The Emmy appearance followed the release of Hargitay's documentary, "My Mom Jayne," which explores her mother's life and legacy. On the carpet, her fashion became a living continuation of that project and a homage expressed through fabric, color, and silhouette. Online, fans were quick to shower Hargitay with admiration after she shared a video showcasing the look. One wrote: "Wowowowoow I can't even believe this is real. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩.” 

Another added:

"NOW this is how you arrive. All eyes on you. The people in the room… you left them speechless. 😶❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Breathtaking." 

A third fan summed it up:

"I am without words you exquisite Lady in Red ♥️♥️♥️♥️."

Hargitay embodied both Hollywood royalty and daughterly devotion, creating a red-carpet moment that was as heartfelt as it was glamorous.

Are you a fan of Mariska Hargitay? What can you say about her striking looks? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones out there!