Mariska Hargitay Blasted for Having ‘Black’ Daughter — Proud of Her Little Girl, She Explained Her Decision to Adopt

Mariska Hargitay, who plays fearless Olivia Benson in "Law&Order: SVU," shows even more significant courage in real life. She adopted multiracial kids despite criticism surrounding them. The actress explained her decision to go through such a "painful" experience.

Mariska Hargitay, beloved actress and prominent public figure, has etched her name as a tireless advocate for family values. A mother of 3 multiracial children now, Hargitay could only dream of becoming one in the past. According to the star of the "Law & Order: SVU" series, there was probably no one in the world who wanted to become a mother more than her.

Hargitay's journey led her to create a family that embodies the very essence of her dreams, intertwined with her husband and colleague, Peter Hermann. Their meeting on the set of "Law & Order: SVU" turned into love, later resulting in marriage. Nearly two decades later, their marriage is still going strong, amplified even further by the arrival of their children.

"Our family is so perfect, or at least perfect for me," Hargitay said in an interview with People in 2018. "Together we're just this whole, happy, joyful, chaotic, crazy unit. I've never known anything that was more right."

When it comes to parenting, Hargitay turns to her children and her partner, Hermann, as trusted sources of guidance and support "The thing that's made me a better parent is my kids because they taught me to really listen," she explained. "My husband is my North Star, and my kids are my teachers."

In the discussion, Hermann offered his perspective on parenting, providing valuable counsel for couples considering adoption. According to him, the journey of parenting isn't for the timid, as it necessitates deep introspection and a substantial amount of courage. However, he believed that the path to parenthood, whether it involves biological or adopted children, is a profoundly rewarding adventure.

Their transformative journey commenced in 2006 when Hargitay welcomed her firstborn, August, into the world. Merely a few months later, an extraordinary moment unfolded as Hargitay graced the stage to accept her inaugural Emmy Award. With profound gratitude, she seized the opportunity to express her heartfelt sentiments during her acceptance speech, saying, "When I named my son August, I had no idea that the month would end like this!"

Mariska's Motherhood Journey Was Not Without Unforeseen Challenges

Hargitay fondly reminisced about the moment she received the joyous news of her impending motherhood. Overflowing with sheer happiness, she couldn't contain her excitement and hastily donned her maternity pants, despite her still-flat stomach giving no visible signs of the life growing within her.

However, the demanding 15-hour shooting schedule of "Law & Order: SVU," coupled with the weight of stress, took its toll on the expectant mother. As a result, she sought solace in food, succumbing to the temptation of eating her problems away. "I was overwhelmed by my lack of energy. All I could do to survive was eat," she told People.

As the third trimester unfolded, Mariska's journey to motherhood came with unforeseen challenges. She found herself grappling with the effects of gestational diabetes, necessitating crucial adjustments to her diet. Despite her best efforts, her weight gain during pregnancy amounted to approximately 54 pounds, posing additional hurdles on her path.

Hargitay's gestational diabetes resulted in her large birth weight and led to requiring a C-section to bring August into the world. Years later, she made the decision to expand her family through adoption. "August thinks this was all his idea," Hargitay told Good Housekeeping in 2012. "He said, 'I want a baby sister."

In 2011, Hargitay and Hermann's journey of adoption led them to the precious soul they would lovingly name Amaya Josephine. "I'm deliriously happy," Hargitay gushed. "From the minute she was born, she was just amazingly alert and so full of love."

During that time, the mother of three could not have anticipated the wave of criticism that awaited her. Detractors cast doubt and raised questions under posts featuring Amaya's photos, questioning whether this "black" child truly belonged to Hargitay.

The user dre_know28 also accused Hargitay of cheating on her husband, wondering how white parents can have a "black" child.

Another user in Twitter also mentions how Hargitay's daughter is black while she hangs out with rich white people. Yet the unpopular opinion had no comments.

Amidst the negativity, there were countless fans of Hargitay who celebrated the undeniable beauty and radiance of the little girl. One Instagram user even called her a "princess,"

Users gushed over Amaya's cuteness while praising Hargitay for being the "greatest mom."

Another comment praised the "Law & Order: SVU" star, describing her as a "beautiful human being" for looking past race and color and adopting Amaya, also described as "so beautiful."

Explaining her decision to extend her family by adopting, Hargitay said: "Having lost my mom at a young age, I then grew up with my stepmom, and I have half-siblings, and so I know that families can be built in all sorts of different ways, that there isn't just one way to create a family and that it isn't just about biology."

Hargitay faced a lot of challenges adopting, including unsuccessful attempts to connect with birth mothers and one "devastating" moment when the biological mother, who had already agreed to the adoption, changed her mind two days after Hargitay had brought home the baby. But Hargitay claimed all those issues were worth the "joy" of parenthood.

"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."

From there, Hargitay and Hermann continued to hope to expand their nest and they eventually welcomed Amaya. Six months later, they joyously welcomed their third child, Andrew. “We never in a million years thought it would happen this fast, but something inside of us knew that this was right, and we said, 'Yes, yes, yes! '" Hargitay revealed.

Over the years, the Hargitay-Hermann family has enchanted fans with rare yet delightful glimpses into their lives, sharing photos and capturing heartfelt moments on Instagram. August, Amaya, and Andrew have stood by their parents' side, even gracing red carpet events."Thank you ... to August and to Amaya and to Andrew," Hargitay proclaimed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "I know one day you will grow into an understanding of how brightly the three of you shine into me and Daddy's life."

Hargitay and August have forged a heartwarming tradition of attending the U.S. Open Tennis Championships together, a special ritual that deepens their bond. Moreover, the Hargitay-Hermann family eagerly embraces the enchantment of Halloween each year, partaking in the beloved tradition of selecting coordinated costumes that reflect a shared theme.

Recently, Mariska and her husband, Peter made a rare public appearance alongside their three children at a Benefit Gala. The presence of all three kids highlighted the love and unity that defines their close-knit clan, offering a glimpse into their cherished family dynamic.

Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann have crafted a truly extraordinary and distinctive family of five. The Hargitay-Hermann family stands as a beacon of inspiration, exemplifying that love transcends borders and that families can be beautifully formed through diverse paths.