For over two decades, Mariska Hargitay has captivated audiences as the fearless Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, earning admiration not only for her on-screen talent but also for her real-life resilience. But now, the Emmy-winning actress is making headlines for a deeply personal revelation.

The actress says her biological dad is Italian singer Nelson Sardelli, not Mickey Hargitay — something she discovered when she was in her 20s.