Olivia Benson's All About the Benjamins! 'Law & Order: SVU' Star Mariska Hargitay’s Net Worth Revealed

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With its 24th season premiering this week, Law & Order: SVU is already one of the longest-running dramas in the history of television. As a result, we have to imagine its star Mariska Hargitay has amassed a massive net worth from her tenure on the series.

Not only has Hargitay made a name for herself on television, but she also comes from Hollywood royalty and has made numerous appearances in other film and TV projects. Detective Benson would be proud!

Here is everything you could ever want to know about Mariska Hargitay’s net worth.

Related: Inside Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann's Real-Life Love Story

How did Mariska Hargitay become famous?

When starting out in Hollywood, it always helps to have famous parents, and Mariska Hargitay is no exception to that rule. She is the daughter of iconic bombshell actress Jayne Mansfield and actor Mickey Hargitay. Unfortunately, Mariska lost her mother in a car accident when she was only three and a half years old. Mariska was asleep in the backseat of the car and escaped the accident with a zigzag-shaped scar on the side of her head.

Mariska Hargitay followed in her parents’ footsteps and made her film debut in the 1985 horror comedy/Gremlins ripoff Ghoulies. However, it wasn’t until she landed her long-standing role of Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 1999 that she became a household name.

Related: 10 of Olivia Benson's Best Quotes from Law & Order: SVU

What is Mariska Hargitay’s net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Mariska Hargitay’s current net worth in 2023 is $100 million. Damn, Detective! That can buy her a lot of pantsuits!

Who is the highest-paid actor on Law & Order: SVU?

Considering that Mariska Hargitay is the longest-running cast member on Law & Order: SVU, having started on the show with its premiere and continuing into its 24th season, it’s no surprise that Hargitay is the highest-paid actor on the show. She earns a reported $500,000 per episode. The next highest paid cast member, Ice-T, earns around $250,000 per episode.

Is Mariska Hargitay a millionaire?

With a net worth of $100 million, Mariska Hargitay is definitely a millionaire and then some! And earning $500,000 an episode for each Law & Order: SVU season only adds to that. It's good to be a sergeant!

Related: Mariska Hargitay Talks About Getting Thanked by Sexual Assault Victims and Why #MeToo Is a 'Celebration'

How much does Mariska Hargitay make per episode?

Mariska Hargitay reportedly earns $500,000 per episode for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, putting her in the top tier of actor salaries on TV. Loyalty pays off!

How much does Mariska Hargitay make per season?

Considering the fact that Mariska Hargitay makes a reported $500,000 per episode for Law & Order: SVU and each season consists of around 22 episodes, she most likely makes around $11 million each season of the show. Imagine pulling in at least $11 million per year as just a base salary!

Does Mariska Hargitay get royalties?

Law & Order: SVU is one of the most played TV series currently in syndication. While her syndication deal has not been explicitly stated to the press, there is little doubt that Hargitay makes royalties from the syndication of the series. And considering it's pretty much always airing on some network, chances are she could handsomely live off of royalties alone for the rest of her days if she ever chooses to do so.

Related: Mariska Hargitay Shares Throwback Photo With Husband Peter Hermann

How much does Mariska Hargitay make in royalties?

It is not known exactly how much Mariska Hargitay makes from the royalties for the syndication of Law & Order: SVU. However, considering her base pay is around $11 million per season and it has been reportedly estimated that she makes around $13 to $15 million per year from the show, we can imagine she earns around $2 million to $4 million each year from the royalties for the series alone.

How much do Law & Order actors make on reruns?

The main actors from the Law & Order series most likely have royalties included in their contracts from the syndication rights for the various shows. It has been reported that stars from these series earn 6% of their original salaries in syndication royalties per year. Six percent of $11 million would be $660,000, so we can imagine Mariska Hargitay makes at least that amount—most likely more—from the royalties each year for Law & Order: SVU. The other main actors also most likely make more than that reported 6%, but that is at least a starting point.

Next, find out how Mariska Hargitay balances her hectic work life with her family's needs.