- Tina Hargitay is the 75 year-old half-sister of award-winning American actress and philanthropist, Marika Hargitay
- Her parents, actor and former Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay and Mary Birge performed acrobatic acts together during their marital days, before divorcing in 1956
- Besides her mother, her father married twice and had 3 more children, among them is Mariska
Tina Hargitay is the half-sister of American actress and philanthropist Mariska Hargitay. She is the daughter of Hungarian-born American actor, and bodybuilder, Miklos Mickey Hargitay and Mary Birge. Unfortunately, her parents’ marriage ended in a divorce. Her father went on to marry two other women before his demise in 2006.
In addition to her half-sister, she has two half-brothers, Miklós and Zoltán.
When Was She Born?
Tina Hargitay was born in the United States in 1949 to her parents Mickey Hargitay and Mary Birge. She is currently 75 years old. Besides being an American by birth, she has Hungarian blood coursing through her veins through her father, who was born in Budapest, Hungry, but relocated to the United States at age 21.
The reason behind her father’s move abroad was to evade being recruited into the military by the Soviet Union. Interestingly, his life changed in the US as he found love in the different women he married, built a family, and develop his career as an actor and bodybuilder.
Who Are Tina Hargitay’s Parents?
Her parents are Mickey Hargitay and Mary Birgie. Her father was one of four children born on 6th January 1926 to her grandparents, Feren and Maria Rothsischer Hargitay in Budapest, Hungry.
Having been born in a family of athletes, her father and his brothers were members of an acrobatic act. Their popularity surged on and they began to perform throughout the country.
Tina’s father became a skater, he competed in speed skating and subsequently won the 500 and 1,500 meters race at the 1946 Middle European championship. In addition, he played football and fought underground during world war 2 which lasted from 1939 to 1945.
Two years after world war 2, her father eloped to the United States for fear of being recruited into the military by the Soviet Union. He arrived in the US in 1947 and settled down in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he may have met his first wife and Tina’s mother, Mary Birge.
Although there is no report indicating when exactly her parents met and got married, credible sources reported the pair started performing acrobatic acts together a year after he arrives in the US. Looking at 1947 when he arrived in the US, 1948 when he and Tina’s mother started performing, and 1949 when Tina was born, it is possible their marriage took place within these periods.
The Father Of The 75 Year-Old Won Mr. Universe In 1955
Her father won Mr. Universe in 1955. Before that, he won other competitions such as Mr. Indianapolis and Mr. Eastern America. After winning Mr.Universe, many others that are in the bodybuilding business saw him as an inspiration for those from Central Europe.
Also, he had quite several credits on TV and in films such as The Loves of Hercules (1960), Revenge of The Gladiators (1964), The Wild Wild West (1968), and Lady Frankenstein (1971).
Her Parents Divorced When She Was 7
Tina Hargitay’s parents divorced in 1956 when she was just 7 years old. Since there is no specific date of the marriage, it is difficult to tell how long the marriage lasted. No reason has been for the divorce, but it could be due to irreconcilable differences.
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Meet The Half-Siblings Of Tina Hargitay
The 75 year-old has 3 half-siblings from her father’s second marriage to actress, singer, and model, Vera Jayne Palmer popularly known as Jayne Mansfield. They are actress and philanthropist, Mariska Hargitay, Miklós Hargitay, and Zoltán Hargitay. Of all the three, Mariska is the most famous one, simply due to her acting career. Here is a brief about her.
Mariska Hargitay
- Date of Birth: 23rd January 1964
- Place of Birth: Santa Monica, California
- Age: 60 Years Old
- Occupation: Actress
Mariska Hargitay was born Mariska Magdolna Hargitay on 23drd January 1964 in Santa Monica, California to Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Manfield. The 60 year-old half-sister of Tina followed in the footsteps of her parents by becoming an actress. She is known for appearing in a couple of movies such as Ghoulie (1985), The Perfect Weapon (1991), and Tales From Earthsea (2006), including the NBA series Law & Oder: Special Victims Units.
Before she started acting in 1985, Tina’s sister was a model. She competed in various pageant events including Miss Beverly Hills, and Miss California, winning the former and finishing fourth in the latter.
A year before landing her first acting role, she featured in Ronnie Milsap’s She Loves My Car music video on MTV. After scoring several credits on TV and in film, she earned several accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Among many of her projects are;
Intriguing Facts About Tina Hargitay
1. Her Father Married 2 Other Women Besides Her mother
After her parents got divorced, her father went to marry 2 other women; Jayne Mansfield and Ellen Siano.
He married Mansfield on 13th January 1958 after meeting 2 years prior. According to reports, Tina’s father sparked her interest when he was performing in The Mae West Show in 1956. As the story goes, when asked what she wants, she told the waiter that she would have a steak and that tall man on the left.
Despite their hot romance and marriage, things went south when Mansfield filed for divorce in May 1963 in Mexico, but it was declared illegal 5 months later, and they settled. The following year after the birth of Tina’s half-sister Mariska, Mansfield went back to court asking them to legalize the divorce in the US, and she won. So, the divorce was finalized on 26th August 1964.
In 1967, 3 years after her father’s divorce from Mansfield, married Ellen Siano who remained his wife until his death in September 2006.
2. Tina Lost Her Father In 2006
Her father passed away on 14th September 2006 in Los Angeles at the age of 80. He died from bone marrow cancer according to a statement from his family’s spokesman, Bill Comstock. He died and left behind his wife his wife, Ellen Siano, and 4 children, Tina, Mariska, Miklós, and Zoltán.
3. Her Father Was Portrayed in the 1980s The Jayne Mansfield Story By Arnold Schwarzenegger
In 1980, her father’s character was depicted by Austrian-American actor and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Jayne Mansfield Story. The biographical piece is based on the life of his then ex-wife, Jayne Mansfield. Actress, Loni Anderson portrayed Mansfield.
The movie earned 3 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for outstanding costume designer for special, outstanding achievement in makeup, and outstanding achievement in hair styling. In addition, it was listed as one of the 100 Most Enjoyable Bad Movies Ever Made in The Official Razzle Movie Guide, a book by John Wilson.
4. Her 3 Half Siblings Survived A Car Crash In 1967
In 1967, Tina Hargitay’s half-siblings were involved in a motor accident in which their mother, Jayne Mansfield died, while they sustained minor injuries. According to reports, her half-siblings in the company of their mother, Sam Brody, and driver, Ronnie Harrison left Biloxi, Mississippi for a show in New Orleans. Their car crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer, and Mansfield, Brody, and Harrison died on the spot.
5. Tina Hargitay’s Half-Sister Has A Charity Organization
Her half-sister, Mariska Hargitay started the “Joyful Heart Foundation” in 2004. The foundation aims to help victims of sexual assault and child abuse to have their lives back, as well as to seek ways to end the violence permanently.
She was motivated to start the foundation when she received a mail from a fan who said she was raped at 15. Subsequently, more stories from victims reached her. In addition, her role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit opened her eyes to the level of domestic violence and child abuse as she was getting ready for her role.
The foundation reportedly raised $20 million to help about 5,000 survivors. Additionally, she donated $100,000 to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television where she schooled.
While Tina Hargitay prefers to stay away from the media spotlight, her sister Mariska on the hand is enjoying the fame and glamour that comes with her career as an award-winning actress.
