Mariska Hargitay has spoken openly about her experience of adopting her daughter, Amaya Josephine. In interviews, she shared that the process of adoption was deeply transformative and emotional. After the birth of her first child, August, Mariska and her husband, Peter Hermann, began considering expanding their family through adoption. Their journey led them to Haiti, where they found Amaya.

Mariska described the moment she met Amaya as a life-changing event. She recalls feeling an immediate and powerful connection with her daughter. The adoption process was challenging, but Mariska found strength in her unwavering belief that Amaya was meant to be part of their family. She has often said that adopting Amaya was like “finding a missing piece of her heart.”

Mariska has spoken about the profound joy that Amaya brought into their lives, calling her “the gift that kept on giving.” She also emphasized the importance of embracing adoption as a beautiful way to create a family. Mariska’s love for Amaya is evident in her words, and she continues to advocate for adoption, encouraging others to open their hearts to children in need of a loving home.