Mariska Hargitay talks candidly about her path to adoption.
The ‘Law and Order: SVU’ actress shares in the new edition of Good Housekeeping that the road to becoming the mom of three was often difficult, but worth it in every way. Mariska and her husband Peter Hermann have a biological son together, August, 5, and adopted two children within six months of each other: Amaya,1, and Andrew, 9 months.
“I’m not gonna lie. There were wrenching moments. I say to everybody, ‘Adoption is not for the faint of heart.’”
Mariska and Peter suffered a few setbacks on their adoption journey, including having a birth mom change her mind two days after they had already taken the baby home. “It was nothing short of devastating. But … it was probably the greatest, happiest ending. I mean, it was so painful for us, but it was deeply joyful and deeply right for her.”
That bump in the road led them to their daughter Amaya: “Peter and I held her, and then the birth mother and I hugged for a long time. “That was profound. That was one of the most meaningful moments I’ve ever had in my life.”
After deciding to wait about 18 months before adopting again, six months after Amaya’s birth, they got the call about Andrew, who had been born prematurely and with many health issues. “It was a no-brainer. It was like … a miracle. And I don’t use that word lightly. I’ve never made a bigger decision so quickly.”
“Adoption was a bumpy ride — very bumpy. But, God, was it worth the fight.”
Photos by Wenn.com
