‘It was pure magic,’ says Mariska Hargitay as husband Peter Hermann tracks down her late mother’s lost piano for an ultimate birthday surprise

Law and Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, who has set a standard in network television with her impressive per-episode earnings, received an unforgettable 60th birthday present this January when her husband Peter Hermann surprised her with her late mother’s white grand piano. The emotional moment was captured in her new documentary “My Mom Jayne,” which explores the life of her mother, Jayne Mansfield.

According to People, the special moment happened at a Los Angeles storage unit, where Hermann arranged for Hargitay to find the restored piano. Their three children were also present for the surprise. When Hargitay discovered the piano, she immediately asked Hermann if it was truly theirs, to which he simply replied, “Happy birthday.”

During the documentary’s international premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, Hargitay shared the story behind the surprise. “It was a total surprise, and it was pure magic,” she said, describing how Hermann had orchestrated the entire plan, including arranging an Uber to take her to the storage facility instead of a scheduled interview with her brother Zoltan.

The long journey to find Jayne Mansfield’s piano

The piano had been a sought-after piece for Hargitay, who had been trying to track it down herself. It was previously owned by singer Engelbert Humperdinck, who had purchased Mansfield’s Los Angeles mansion and kept the piano. Hargitay had been in talks with Humperdinck’s daughter, Louis, for months, hoping to acquire the meaningful family heirloom.

The documentary “My Mom Jayne” premiered at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on June 13, a venue that held special meaning as Mansfield, a talented pianist and violinist, had always dreamed of performing there. Mansfield passed away in 1967 at the age of 34, when Hargitay was only three years old.

The film documents Hargitay’s journey to understand the mother she barely knew. Now 61, she has dedicated herself to collecting her mother’s belongings and memorabilia as part of her process to connect with her mother’s legacy.

The surprise piano reveal comes at the end of the documentary, serving as a touching conclusion to Hargitay’s emotional journey of discovering her mother’s life story. The documentary is scheduled to premiere on HBO and Max on June 27, allowing viewers to witness this meaningful moment and learn more about the relationship between the actress and her famous mother. Fans eager to see more of Hargitay can also look forward to upcoming SVU season developments.