Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in Law and Order: SVU, took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, on what would have been her 90th birthday. Sharing a heartwarming photo of her mother, Hargitay expressed her love in a sweet caption, saying, “Happy birthday Mama. We live to love you more each day.”

In addition to the photo, Hargitay also shared a clip from the movie Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? on her Instagram Story, showcasing her mother’s talent and beauty.

Jayne Mansfield, born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933, was a renowned Hollywood actress and one of the biggest blonde bombshells of the 1950s and ’60s. She was often recognized as an alternative to Marilyn Monroe and was affectionately known as the “Working Man’s Monroe.” Mansfield, a Playboy Playmate, starred in various films such as The Girl Can’t Help It, Promises! Promises!, and The Sheriff of a Fractured Jaw.

Tragically, Mansfield’s life was cut short in 1967 when she was involved in a fatal car accident that claimed her life at the age of 34. At the time, Hargitay, who was only three years old, was in the backseat of the car with her siblings. Although the children survived, Mansfield, her attorney and companion Sam Brody, and their driver Ronnie Harrison were killed instantly.

Reflecting on her early experiences with tragedy, Hargitay shared with Glamour in 2021, “I think I learned about crisis very young, and I learned very young that s— happens and there’s no guarantees, and we keep going. And then we transform it.” She described this resilience as her “superpower” and emphasized the importance of trust in her journey towards healing and growth.

On Jayne Mansfield’s heavenly birthday, we join Mariska Hargitay in remembering her remarkable life and the enduring love she left behind.