This is the captivating story of an actress who defied all odds to become a successful child star. Born in 1964 in Los Angeles, she faced a challenging start to life. At just 24 hours old, she was adopted by Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert, along with her brother, Jonathan. Barbara was an actress, while Paul worked as an aerialist in a family circus, despite his talents as a stand-up comic, actor, and dancer.
Unfortunately, the actress’s adoptive parents divorced when she was only six years old. But she remembers her father fondly, describing him as a talented, funny, and loving person. Tragedy struck in 1976 when her father passed away. In her memoir, “Prairie Tale: A Memoir,” she reveals that she was told her biological parents were too focused on their careers to care for a baby, which led them to give her up for adoption. She believed her biological mother was Kathy Wood, a prima ballerina, and her father was a Rhodes Scholar named David Darlington.
However, as she delved deeper into her past, she discovered that the truth was different. Her mother turned out to be a dancer, but not a prima ballerina, and her father was a sign painter and stock car racer. As if that wasn’t enough, the actress also learned that her adoptive parents had not originally planned to adopt a child, adding another layer of complexity to her upbringing.
At the age of 11, tragedy struck again when her adoptive father, Paul, passed away. Initially, she was told that he died from a stroke. However, when she turned 45, she uncovered the painful truth that her father had taken his own life. This shocking revelation had been kept hidden from her. In her pursuit of the truth, she enlisted the help of a special detective, who uncovered the heartbreaking reality of her father’s struggles as a VA patient, leading to his suicide.
The actress we are talking about is none other than Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as the star of “Little House on the Prairie” from 1974 to 1983. In 2022, she published her memoir, “Back to the Prairie,” shedding light on her extraordinary life journey. Despite the trials she faced, Melissa Gilbert’s story is one of resilience, strength, and the pursuit of happiness.
In 2013, Melissa Gilbert married Timothy Busfield. Their love story began in a bar, where Busfield was dealing with his second divorce. They have a total of eight grandchildren between them. Melissa has a son named Dakota Paul Brinkman from her first marriage to Bo Brinkman, and a second son named Michael Garrett Boxleitner from her second marriage to Bruce Boxleitner. Timothy Busfield also has three children, Samuel, Daisy, and Wilson.
Melissa Gilbert’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome challenges. Her journey from being a child star to finding love and embracing family is an inspiration to us all.
