Mariska Hargitay recently shared a dramatic and heartwarming story about how her husband, Peter Hermann, surprised her with her late mother Jayne Mansfield’s grand piano for her 60th birthday last year.
The surprise, which was revealed during a special screening of her documentary My Mom Jayne at the HamptonsFilm’s SummerDocs series on July 17, had Hargitay fearing for the worst at first.
The Dramatic Surprise
Hargitay explained that the surprise happened during her first day of filming for the documentary in Los Angeles. Hermann called her and said, “There’s an Uber outside. I need you to get in the car.” When she hesitated, Hermann insisted, “I need you to listen to me. Do as I say and get in the car. It’s an Uber.”
Annoyed, Hargitay reluctantly followed his instructions. However, her unease grew as she began checking the locations of Hermann and their three children, all of which were turned off.
The car ride then took her down the 405 freeway, making her think they were heading to Los Angeles International Airport. But as the car veered off the freeway and into unfamiliar territory, Hargitay started to get really worried.
“I’m sure that my husband’s gonna have me whacked,” Hargitay joked to the audience, recalling her thoughts at the time. “I was like, ‘I did nothing but be a perfect wife!’” Her fears caused the audience to burst into laughter as she described her anxiety during the drive.
The Big Reveal
Finally, Hargitay arrived at a warehouse, where she was met with her family and co-producer Trish Adlesic, along with cameramen ready to capture her reaction. To her surprise, Hermann had arranged to reveal Mansfield’s grand piano, an item that held deep sentimental value to Hargitay.
“There’s no words,” Hargitay said about the moment when she saw the piano. “It was so magnificent. It was one of the best things in my life.” She described the gift as a “reclamation,” adding that it was everything she had wanted, and the fact that it was such a surprising gesture made it all the more extraordinary.
A Dream Come True
Despite the intense lead-up to the surprise, Hargitay laughed and acknowledged, “It’s still like a dream come true. It’s magic.” The gift, which was part of the My Mom Jayne documentary, meant so much to Hargitay because her mother passed away when she was just three years old, and the piano had been a cherished possession of Mansfield’s.
For Hargitay, the moment was a meaningful tribute to her late mother and an unforgettable surprise from her loving husband.
My Mom Jayne, Hargitay’s documentary about her mother’s life, is currently streaming on HBO Max.
