When she was just a newborn, the future celebrity’s biological parents made the heartbreaking decision to place her for adoption. Prioritizing their careers over parenthood, they couldn’t envision raising a child.
For years, the actress’s adoptive parents kept the truth about her origins a secret—until the shocking revelation came to light.
Born on May 8, 1964, at the now-closed French Hospital in Los Angeles, the baby girl was adopted just 24 hours later by Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert, a couple who never anticipated they would raise a future star.
Jonathan, the celebrity’s younger brother, was also adopted by Barbara and Paul. Barbara, a talented actress in her twenties, had her career cut short, while Paul was a stand-up comedian, actor, and dancer who started as an aerialist in a family circus from Buenos Aires. Sadly, Barbara and Paul separated when their daughter was just six years old, but she always remembered her father with deep affection, saying:
“I have never known a more brilliant, energetic, humorous, loving, and fair person than my father.”
When Paul passed away in 1976, many speculated he had died from a stroke while in bed. This also marked the moment when her adoption became public. In her memoir Prairie Tale, the actress revealed that, as a child, she was told her biological father, David Darlington, had been a Rhodes Scholar, and her mother, Kathy Wood, was a prima ballerina.
Her adopted parents later explained that her birth parents were unwilling to give up their careers to raise a child. The timing of her birth was considered “inconvenient,” and her father was in the midst of a project, which led them to make the difficult decision to place her for adoption.
As she grew older, she learned the full truth about her biological parents. While not a prima ballerina, her birth mother had been a dancer, and David, her biological father, was a stock car racer and sign painter.
Kathy and David each had children from previous marriages before they married one another. After running away together, becoming pregnant, and moving in with their kids, they quickly realized they couldn’t afford to raise a seventh child.
Her Adoptive Parents Didn’t Plan to Adopt Her
The actress was taken aback when she learned more about her adoption, especially after the death of her adoptive father. Mitzi, her godmother, shared the story of the day the Gilberts went to pick her up from the hospital.
Mitzi confessed that when Barbara and Paul returned with their new baby, it came as a complete shock. The actress was stunned when she heard Barbara admit:
“Well, we weren’t planning on adopting a kid.”
When Barbara and Paul received the call informing them that a baby girl would be available for adoption, they were not actively looking for a child. But when Barbara spoke to her husband, who was out of state, he simply told her, “Go get it.”
The actress, shocked by the casual language, learned later that the couple had been trying to conceive for some time. Although they had undergone fertility treatments, adoption was never discussed until that unexpected call came. In a 2020 interview, the actress revealed the truth about the secrecy in her adoptive family, explaining how the topic of adoption was only broached at the moment of the call.
The Family’s Hidden Secrets
The actress later revealed to CBS Sunday Morning that she learned at the age of 11 that her adoptive father had died from a stroke. But it wasn’t until she was 45 that she discovered the painful truth: her father had taken his own life.
She had kept the secret for years, hiding it from everyone, including herself. In the interview, she stated she would never want her own children to bear the burden of such a devastating secret.
To uncover the truth behind her adoptive father’s death, she hired a detective. The investigator uncovered that the World War II veteran had been in severe pain and had even threatened to take his life while receiving care from the VA.
For about six months after uncovering the truth about her adoptive father, Melissa Gilbert struggled with the profound anguish of losing him in such a way. During that difficult period, she couldn’t eat or sleep. However, over time, she came to terms with his passing and now channels her energy into supporting mental health awareness and suicide prevention, working to preserve her father’s memory in a meaningful way.
On January 23, 1982, Melissa was spotted at the Santa Monica Bowling Alley, a moment captured by the media. | Source: Getty Images
In addition to processing her grief, Melissa eventually forgave her adoptive mother, Barbara, for concealing the truth about Paul’s death, even though she had felt anger and betrayal for many years. As the next chapter of her life unfolded, Melissa not only found healing but also discovered a deeper sense of understanding.
Who Is the Star Who Overcame Abandonment to Become a Beloved Actress?
The actress in question is none other than Melissa Gilbert, best known for her iconic role as Laura “Half-Pint” Ingalls Wilder on the beloved TV series Little House on the Prairie, which aired from 1974 to 1983. In July 2022, Melissa released her memoir, Back to the Prairie, and continues to enjoy time with her family.
Now in a much different place, Melissa reflects on how she is “blessed” and feels gratitude for the life she’s built. She often thinks about Paul and wishes he had experienced the joy of having grandchildren and the warmth of a life partner who truly listens, makes you feel safe, and loves you deeply.
In May 2022, Melissa and her third husband, Timothy Busfield, became grandparents to eight grandchildren. The couple’s journey began in 2012 when Busfield, going through his second divorce, noticed Melissa waiting for a friend at an empty pub—a chance encounter that would later bloom into a lasting partnership.
On June 20, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Melissa Gilbert and her husband, Timothy Busfield, attended a photocall at the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival. | Source: Getty Images
Melissa and Timothy tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, in April 2013. Melissa wore a stunning dress by Morgane Le Faye, and as she shared in her memoir Back to the Prairie, the ceremony was a private affair—Timothy, in a blue suit, stood alone at the event with no guests in attendance. After years in Hollywood, this marked a significant, personal milestone for Melissa.
From her first marriage to actor Bo Brinkman, Melissa welcomed her first child, a son named Dakota Paul Brinkman. Her second son, Michael Garrett Boxleitner, was born from her marriage to actor Bruce Boxleitner. Timothy, a father of three—Wilson, Daisy, and Samuel—also embraced the role of a stepfather, raising their blended family.
Today, Melissa and Timothy enjoy a peaceful life together in their 14-acre cottage nestled in the Catskill Mountains of New York, where they cherish their quiet, country living.