This renowned actress was placed for adoption by her biological parents shortly after her birth. Her birth mother and father prioritized their careers over raising her, leading them to make the difficult decision to give her up. Initially, her adoptive parents concealed details about her origins until the truth eventually emerged. Born on May 8, 1964, at The French Hospital in Los Angeles—a facility that has since closed—she was taken in by Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert just a day later. The couple also adopted a younger brother named Jonathan. Paul had a diverse career as a stand-up comedian, actor, and dancer but originally performed as an aerialist with a circus from Buenos Aires. Barbara was an aspiring actress in her twenties but had limited success in the industry. When she turned six, Barbara and Paul split up; she fondly remembers him as “the most incredibly talented, vivacious, funny, loving, fair person” she ever knew. Sadly, he passed away in 1976 under circumstances believed to be related to a stroke during his sleep.
The fact of her adoption was not kept secret from her; in her memoir *Prairie Tale: A Memoir*, she recounted being told that Kathy Wood—her biological mother—was once a prima ballerina and that David Darlington—her father—had been a Rhodes Scholar. Her adoptive parents explained that both were unwilling to sacrifice their careers for parenthood at the time of the adoption; David was reportedly engaged with work when she was born.
As she matured, she uncovered more about the reality of her birth parents’ lives: Kathy had danced but was not as accomplished as claimed while David worked as both a sign painter and stock car racer. Both of them had prior marriages with three children each before they ran off together and ultimately decided against keeping Melissa when they became unexpectedly pregnant again.
After Paul’s death, Melissa discovered more shocking details about her adoption through conversations with family members like her godmother Mitzi. She learned that Barbara had never intended to adopt until receiving an unexpected call regarding Melissa’s availability shortly after birth; Barbara admitted they hadn’t planned for this new addition.
In July 2020 during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Melissa revealed how secretive aspects of family history were kept from her throughout childhood—including misinformation surrounding how Paul died. She only learned at age 45 that he had taken his own life rather than passing from natural causes as she’d been led to believe—a revelation that left lasting emotional scars.
Determined to uncover the truth behind his death caused significant distress for several months before she found acceptance and began advocating for mental health awareness in his honor while reconciling feelings towards Barbara for withholding such crucial information.
The next chapter reveals who this once-abandoned child grew into: Melissa Gilbert—the beloved actress known for portraying Laura Half-Pint Ingalls Wilder on *Little House on the Prairie* from 1974 until 1983. In July 2022, she published another memoir titled *Back to the Prairie* and now enjoys life surrounded by family members who bring joy into it; reflecting on how fortunate she feels compared to what Paul might have experienced if he’d known such love himself.
Melissa is currently married to Timothy Busfield—her third husband—and together they share eight grandchildren between them from previous relationships. Their paths crossed serendipitously back in 2012 when Busfield spotted Melissa waiting alone at an empty bar during his second divorce proceedings; they wed quietly in April 2013 without guests present after choosing simple attire—a Morgane Le Faye dress paired with Busfield’s blue suit—all suggested by Barbara due to indecision over wedding attire choices made earlier by their daughter.
Having spent most of life immersed within Hollywood’s glitz yet seeking solace now among nature’s beauty—the couple resides peacefully within their Catskill Mountain cottage spanning fourteen acres where they embrace tranquility alongside their blended families which include Melissa’s sons Dakota (from marriage #1) and Michael (from marriage #2), along with Busfield’s children Samuel,Daisy & Wilson all contributing joyfully towards creating cherished memories together moving forward!
