Melissa Ellen Gilbert (born May 8, 1964) is an American actress who began her career as a child actress in the late 1960s. From 1974 to 1983, she starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder on NBC’s Little House on the Prairie. She appeared in films like The Diary of Anne Frank (1980) and The Miracle Worker (1979).
Gilbert served as Screen Actors Guild president (2001–2005), briefly ran for Congress in 2016, and is an author of memoirs, a children’s book, and a cookbook.
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Melissa Gilbert Net Worth
Melissa Gilbert has a net worth of $500,000. In June 2015, it was revealed she owed $360,000 in federal income taxes, following a prior debt of $112,000 in 2013. Gilbert cited the recession, a divorce, and a decline in acting opportunities as factors in her financial struggles.
In 2014, she listed her Tarzana home in Los Angeles for $1.195 million. In 2019, she and Timothy Busfield purchased a 14-acre property in the Catskill Mountains for $98,000, now their primary residence.
Early life
Melissa Gilbert was born in Los Angeles on May 8, 1964, to Kathy Wood and David Darlington and was placed for adoption immediately. She was adopted by actor Paul Gilbert and dancer Barbara Crane, daughter of Harry Crane, creator of The Honeymooners.
The Gilberts also adopted Jonathan Gilbert, her Little House on the Prairie co-star. After her parents divorced, Barbara married attorney Harold Abeles, and they had Sara Gilbert in 1975. Paul Gilbert died in 1976, later revealed to be suicide. Melissa was raised in her mother’s Jewish faith.
Career
Melissa Gilbert has worked steadily in television, starring as Jean Donovan in Choices of the Heart (1983) and Anna Sheridan in Babylon 5 (1996). She voiced Batgirl in Batman: The Animated Series. In 1985, she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6429 Hollywood Blvd, with then-fiancé Rob Lowe attending.
Inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame in 1998, she portrayed Caroline “Ma” Ingalls in the Little House musical (2008–2010) and starred in Geraldine Aron’s My Brilliant Divorce (2018).
Personal life
Melissa Gilbert was married to actor Bo Brinkman (1988–1994) and actor Bruce Boxleitner (1995–2011). In January 2013, her representative confirmed her engagement to actor Timothy Busfield. They married on April 24, 2013, and lived in Howell, Michigan from 2013 to 2018.
In late 2018, they moved to New York City and purchased a cottage in the Catskill Mountains, which they planned to renovate as their permanent home. The couple expressed enthusiasm for their life in upstate New York.
Why did Melissa Gilbert quit Hollywood?
Melissa Gilbert explained her decision to leave Hollywood, saying, “I was stuck. I could feel myself fighting it. And I said to myself, ‘It’s time to age.’ I had to leave Los Angeles to do that—Los Angeles specifically.”
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Conclusion
Melissa Gilbert’s life story, from a beloved child actress to a multifaceted artist and entrepreneur, is one of resilience, adaptation, and continual growth. Her journey is a testament to her ability to reinvent herself and find new ways to inspire and connect with others while embracing every stage of her life with grace and gratitude.
FAQs about Melissa Gilbert’s Net Worth
- What is Melissa Gilbert’s most famous role? – Melissa Gilbert is best known for her role as Laura Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie.”
- Has Melissa Gilbert written any books? – Yes, she is the author of several memoirs, a children’s book, and a cookbook.
- What inspired Melissa Gilbert to start Modern Prairie? – Gilbert aimed to create a community and product line that celebrates aging and offers support for older women.
- What health issues has Melissa Gilbert faced? – Gilbert has undergone surgeries for back and neck problems, stemming from previous injuries and health complications.
- How has Melissa Gilbert’s career evolved over the years? – From acting to authorship, Screen Actors Guild presidency, and entrepreneurship, Gilbert’s career has spanned a diverse range of roles and industries.