Age, Biography, and Wiki
Mickey Hargitay was born on January 6, 1926, in Budapest, Hungary, as Miklós Károly Hargitay. He gained international recognition for his impressive physique and acting talent. Hargitay passed away on September 14, 2006.
| Occupation | Bodybuilder |
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| Date of Birth | 6 January 1926 |
| Age | 99 Years |
| Birth Place | Budapest, Hungary |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Hungary |
| Date of death | 14 September, 2006 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Mickey Hargitay's height and weight are not widely documented, as a bodybuilder, he was known for his muscular build. This physical stature contributed to his early success in the bodybuilding world and his transition into acting.
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Dating & Relationship Status
Mickey Hargitay was married to actress Jayne Mansfield from 1958 until her death in 1967. After Mansfield's passing, he married Ellen Siano in 1968. He had three children with Mansfield: Miklós Hargitay Jr., Zoltán Hargitay, and Mariska Hargitay.
Born in Budapest, Hargitay moved to the United States in 1947 and eventually became a American citizen. He was married to actress Jayne Mansfield and is the putative father of actress Mariska Hargitay (her biological father was later revealed to be singer Nelson Sardelli). During their marriage, Hargitay and Mansfield made four movies together: Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), The Loves of Hercules (1960), Promises! Promises! (1963), and Primitive Love (1964).
He was the son of Ferenc and Mária (Rothsischer) Hargitay (or Hargitai). Hargitay was one of four children of an athletic father. He and his brothers were all brought up as athletes. During his youth, Hargitay was part of an acrobatic act with his brothers. The act was so popular that the brothers performed throughout all Hungary, including the largest opera house in Budapest. After being introduced to the sport by his brother, Hargitay began competing in speed skating. In 1946, he won the Middle European championship at 500 and 1,500 meters, and placed second in the 5,000 meter race. He was also a proficient football player, and was an underground fighter during World War II.
In 1947, aged 21, Hargitay left Hungary to emigrate to the United States to avoid being drafted into military service by the Soviet Union. The Hungarian People's Republic was then part of the Eastern Bloc, with close ties to communist Russia. He settled in Cleveland, where he worked as a plumber and carpenter and also performed in an acrobatic act with his first wife, Mary Birge. He was inspired to begin bodybuilding after seeing a magazine cover featuring Steve Reeves. Hargitay won the National Amateur Body-Builders' Association (NABBA) Mr. Universe award in 1955.
Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield met in 1956 while he was performing in The Mae West Show at the Latin Quarter. When Mansfield noticed Hargitay performing, she allegedly told the waiter, "I'll have a steak and that tall man on the left." The couple married on January 13, 1958 at the Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. They had three children: Miklós, Zoltán, and (putatively) Mariska. Mariska Hargitay grew up to be an actress, starring on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Hargitay remodeled much of his and Mansfield's Beverly Hills mansion, known as "The Pink Palace", building its famous heart-shaped swimming pool. In November 2002, the house was razed by developers who had purchased it from Engelbert Humperdinck. In May 2025, longtime rumors that Brazilian-Italian singer-comedian Nelson Sardelli, who Mansfeld had an affair with during the time she was in the process of divorcing Hargitay between 1963 and 1964, was Mariska's biological father were confirmed to be true, though Mariska assumed Hargitay was her biological father until she was 25. Despite not being her biological father, Mariska still had loyalty to Mickey and accepted him as her father.
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| Husband | Mary Birge (m. 1948-1956) Jayne Mansfield (m. 1958-1964) Ellen Siano (m. 1968) |
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Net Worth and Salary
Mickey Hargitay's net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be in the millions. The exact figure is not specified, but his successful dual career as an actor and bodybuilder contributed significantly to his financial success.
In May 1963, Hargitay and Mansfield filed for divorce in Ciudad Juárez. The divorce was ruled invalid, and the two reconciled in October 1963. After Mariska's birth, Mansfield sued for the Juárez divorce to be declared legal and ultimately won. The divorce was recognized in the United States on August 26, 1964. After Mansfield's death in a car crash on June 29, 1967, Hargitay sued Mansfield's estate for over US$275,000 ($ in ) to support the children. In their divorce decree, Mansfield had agreed to pay child support, as well as to give Hargitay approximately $70,000 ($ in ) in cash and property.
Career, Business, and Investments
Mickey Hargitay began his career as a bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Universe title in 1955. He transitioned into acting, appearing in films like "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" alongside his wife Jayne Mansfield. His acting career spanned over three decades, with roles in various films and television shows. While specific details about his business investments are not widely available, his career in both bodybuilding and acting was highly successful.
Hargitay's acting career was not limited to the United States; he also appeared in many Italian productions, and acted in Hungarian director György Szomjas' 1988 film, Mr. Universe.
Social Network
There is limited information available about Mickey Hargitay's social media presence, as he passed away in 2006, before the widespread use of social media platforms.
Education
Information about Mickey Hargitay's formal education is not well-documented. However, his early life in Hungary and his decision to move to the United States likely influenced his career choices.
In summary, Mickey Hargitay was a multifaceted celebrity whose career spanned both bodybuilding and acting. His legacy continues to inspire those interested in these fields.