Mariska Hargitay Shares Empowering Message About Turning 60: 'Feels Like a New Beginning'

After playing Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU for 25 years, Mariska Hargitay has become a cultural icon. Now the star is opening up about how she and the character have grown together, and why she's excited about the next chapter in her life.

On the Tuesday, Oct. 1 episode of Today, Hargitay spoke to Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie about what turning 60 means to her, both personally and professionally.

"One of the things about turning 60 is it really feels like a new beginning, and we step into our power, and into our confidence, and into our clarity," Hargitay said before pointing out the parallels between herself and Olivia.

"I just feel like I'm stepping into myself, as is Olivia, and it's sort of the perfect feminist story about this young detective who was a junior detective, and, you know, had a man who was sort of the senior cop, and who has blossomed into her full self, and into the leader, and into the lioness, and into her power, and has found who she is as an individual," Hargitay continued.

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In the comments of a video clip from the interview posted to Instagram, fans praised Hargitay for her positive influence.

"Thank you for raising me and showing the world women are powerful and strong #truerolemodel," wrote one person.

"Wow we’re always changing and finding ourselves!! Love this. Beautifully said," agreed a second person.

Other social media users couldn't get over Hargitay's youthful appearance.

"Wow. 60 and looks absolutely beautiful," raved one fan.

"There is no way she is 60," insisted someone else.

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