Mariska Hargitay Poses With Her Kids in Rare Photos for Exciting NYC Event

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay was in an Empire State of mind this week.

The 60-year-old actress was given the honor of lighting up the Empire State Building in New York City on Friday, April 5, and she brought along two of her children to make the event a family affair.

Hargitay was accompanied for the special day by her two oldest children, son August, 17, and daughter Amaya, 12, whom she shares with her husband, Peter Hermann, 56. The pair's youngest son, Andrew, 12, did not appear to be in attendance for the event.

Hargitay was dressed in a sophisticated blue bodycon dress for the outing, while her daughter looked stylish in a cozy white sweater paired with a black mini skirt and white fashion sneakers.

August was practically towering over his mom, wearing a casual 'fit made up of a navy blue velvet blazer and matching blue trousers. The trio posed for some pics after the ceremony, with Hargitay sweetly wrapping her arms around her eldest kiddos.

In video footage from Friday's festivities shared to Instagram, Hargitay—with the help of her kids—pulled the lever to light the landmark up in shades of teal and green, representing Sexual Assault Awareness Month in partnership with the Joyful Heart Foundation, and also celebrating 25 years of Law & Order: SVU. 

"This is such an incredible milestone moment for Mariska & The Joyful Heart Foundation. so proud of you @therealmariskahargitay," one adoring fan gushed in the comments on Instagram. "you all look beautiful too. thank you for everything you do ????."

"This is wonderful, congratulations to Mariska and Joyful Heart Foundation ????," another commenter added.

Others couldn't help but notice how grown up Hargitay's kids look these days, including someone who wrote on Instagram. "Her kids are so big now ??."

"I love how she held onto her daughter??," another person pointed out.

Someone else called the momentous occasion "an honor," especially "to do it with her kids!!!"

Some fans took the opportunity to crack jokes about the earthquake that hit the East Coast on Friday morning, playfully insinuating that Hargitay's presence in the city could've had something to do with it.

"Imagine being so powerful that you light up the Empire State Building and it causes an earthquake," one person quipped.

"Oh so this is what causes the earthquake!" another echoed.

Next: Mariska Hargitay Fans Say She Looks Like Cindy Crawford in Throwback Modeling Photo