Proof Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann’s 20-Year Marriage Is a Case of True Love

Mariska Hargitay has cracked the case of how to have a long, happy marriage in Hollywood.

Nearly two months after celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary with husband Peter Hermann, the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star shared the sweet secret to the success of their decades-long relationship.

"We listen to each other and root for each other," Hargitay—who shares kids August, 17, Amaya, 12, and Andrew, 11, with the Younger actor—exclusively told E! News, "and challenge each other and are committed and so invested. We want the same things, and we cherish our union—that comes first."

The Emmy-winning actress certainly knows a thing or two about longevity, both personally and professionally. Hargitay holds the record for the longest-running primetime drama character in television history having starred as Detective Olivia Benson on the NBC crime drama for every one of its 26 seasons since it premiered in 1999.

Hargitay even revealed a "very good actor" was recently on the SVU set and commented on her and longtime costar Peter Scanavino's work ethic.

"Peter and I were doing a scene with him and he goes, 'I'm watching you guy, and I can't believe after this long, you're not phoning it in,'" she recounted. "I said, 'I'll be gone before I phone it in. I'll be gone.'"

Plus, getting to help victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence through the show's storylines is a gift Hargitay is forever grateful for.

"I'm deeply inspired by the material, by the message, by working with my costars," she shared. "I love my job, and I'm profoundly grateful to tell these stories and to touch people's hearts and have people reconnect with their humanity and think about difficult things and know that they can heal from it."

Hargitay even channels Det. Benson in real life helping victims of abuse with her Joyful Heart Foundation. And recently, she even teamed up with Purina to support their Purple Leash Project, which helps domestic violence shelters across the country become pet-friendly.

"The fact that whether or not your pet could come with you when you're in this incredibly dangerous situation was staggering to me, " she explained. "They want to make shelters pet-friendly so a survivor never has to choose between their pet and their own safety. I thought it was incredible."

Keep reading to look back at Hargitay and Hermann's enduring love story.

Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.

In 2016, the couple and their son, August, enjoy a night at The Joyful Revolution Gala, an event held by Hargitay's charity Joyful Heart Foundation.

"Everything," Hargitay simply captioned this lovely photo of her family embracing in a hug.

In July 2017, Hargitay snapped this cute pic of her and Hermann enjoying the waves in Hawaii.

Turns out stars have the same problems as us at the airport!

"That feeling when your flight's delayed four hours, you board the plane, you get off the plane because of maintenance issues, you go to a new gate for a new plane, where you find out the new plane's not ready," captioned the procedural star in Aug. 2017.

We've all been there! Thankfully, she had a pretty great travel buddy by her side!

From the same trip to Italy, the two look cute as buttons wearing hats while exploring the city.

Hargitay shared this sweet photo of her and her husband on his birthday in Aug. 2018, also shouting out to Debra Messing in her Instagram caption as she shares the same birthday.

The dynamic duo dressed up as Black Widow and Captain America to celebrate Halloween in 2018.

How fun! Hargitay and Hermann spent a date night attending the New York Spingsteen on Broadway concert in Dec. 2018 only to meet Bruce Spingsteen himself after the show!

The philanthropic family shared with fans more about their charity back in Dec. 2018.

"We just wrapped an incredibly inspiring board retreat day with an incredibly inspiring board," Hargitay expressed on Instagram.

"Thank you for your great hearts and you're great brains and your deep dedication to bringing change."

The cute couple soak up the sun in the Dominican Republic in Dec. 2018.

The lovebirds attended the Samsung Charity Gala in Manhattan and both looked like they were dressed to the nines.

The two cuties threw on an adorable deer filter on this photo the Law & Order actress shared in June 2018.

"Happy Holidays from our family to yours," she wrote, tagging that the two were soaking up the sun in Italy.

After throwing the first pitch for the Mets in Sep. 2019, Hargitay took to her Instagram to snap a quick alongside her love.

"How does he get #Younger every year???" Hargitay gushed on her Instagram when she celebrated her husband's most recent birthday this past August.

Mariska shared this sweet photo to celebrate another Valentine's Day with her love, captioning her 2023 post, "My Valentine #home"

The happy couple enjoyed fun in the Italian sun. Mariska captioned her June 2023 post, "Amore #summerlove #HappySummerSolstice #Capri #Faraglioni"

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family)

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