Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls on the beloved Little House on the Prairie, found herself at the center of American pop culture from the young age of 10. Starring on the show from 1974 to 1983, Gilbert was America’s sweetheart, and everyone seemed to know her name. Over the years, her romantic life became just as much of an audience draw as her acting, marked by high-profile relationships and marriages.
During her teenage years, Gilbert briefly dated Michael Landon Jr., son of her co-star and mentor Michael Landon. Their relationship blossomed around 1979 but was short-lived, ending the following year. Despite their split, Gilbert and Landon Jr. maintained a lifelong friendship, deeply influenced by their familial bonds with Landon.
Not long after her relationship with Landon, Gilbert encountered another romance with actor Rob Lowe when they were both 17, igniting sparks during their teenage years. "I fell instantly, hopelessly and stupidly in love," Gilbert shared candidly in her memoir, Prairie Tale. Their relationship was passionate—lasted six years, peppered with intense emotions—yet it had its share of turmoil. Lowe, who began his rise to fame with the release of The Outsiders in 1983, struggled with his fidelity, leading to multiple infidelities, including affairs with notable actresses Demi Moore and Nastassja Kinski.
Gilbert described her response to Lowe’s unfaithfulness as rebellious; at one point, she had a fling with John Cusack, which she revealed was meant as her own private act of defiance against Lowe. Despite these challenges, the couple got engaged in 1986, soon facing another life-altering experience when Gilbert became pregnant. Tragically, the pregnancy ended in miscarriage, marking the end of their engagement by the following year. Both Lowe and Gilbert later reflected on their youthful naiveté, thinking they were too young for such serious commitments.
After her tumultuous romance with Lowe, Gilbert married actor Bo Brinkman in 1988. Their whirlwind romance began over dinner, where Gilbert was instantly taken by Brinkman’s charming looks and aura. "I turned around and saw this long-haired, very handsome man," she reminisced. The couple welcomed their son, Dakota Brinkman, the following year. Sadly, the marriage witnessed numerous challenges, especially Brinkman’s struggles with alcoholism. Gilbert's discovery of his infidelity led to their eventual divorce in 1994.
Shortly after her separation from Brinkman, Gilbert began dating actor Bruce Boxleitner. The two married in 1995 and welcomed another son, Michael, the same year. Their marriage lasted 16 years before Gilbert filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. This period marked significant personal growth for the actress as she navigated the ups and downs of motherhood and her career.
But it was not until Gilbert met Timothy Busfield at a small bar across from Universal Studios in 2012, where their love story took a refreshing turn. "There was one person sitting at the bar and she had a fedora on, and I couldn't tell who it was, but I knew it was problematic," Busfield recalled, reflecting on their immediate connection. The couple got engaged by December 2012 and was married by April 2013, solidifying Gilbert’s newfound happiness.
Fast forward to 2021, Gilbert became a grandmother when Dakota welcomed baby Ripley. She and Busfield also celebrated ten years since the day they met, with Gilbert sharing her affection in sweet Instagram posts: "I was instantly, completely and madly besotted and remain completely and madly besotted to this day."
From being America’s darling on screen to grappling through heartbreak and finally finding enduring love, Melissa Gilbert’s life has been marked by both public fascination and personal evolution. With each chapter of her story, she has embraced her experiences, leading her to the happiness she always deserved and cherishes today.
