Melissa Gilbert, known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie, was born on May 8, 1964, and placed for adoption by her biological parents, Kathy Wood and David Darlington, who prioritized their careers over raising her.
At just one day old, she was adopted by Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert, who raised her alongside her brother Jonathan. Paul, a stand-up comedian and actor, passed away in 1976, and it wasn’t until years later that Melissa learned the truth about his death—he had taken his own life, not suffered a stroke as she was told. Melissa also uncovered the full story of her biological parents. They couldn’t afford to care for another child after having several from previous marriages.
Melissa has since embraced her past, releasing her memoir Back to the Prairie in 2022. She is now married to Timothy Busfield, with whom she has eight grandchildren. She lives a peaceful life in New York, enjoying family and advocating for mental health awareness.
