The girl’s name is in the comments below… Nowadays, at 59, she’s living her best life with husband and their big family of 14! 🤩

Sometimes a single decision can change the course of many lives. In 1964, a newborn girl was placed for adoption just 24 hours after her birth. That baby was Melissa Gilbert, who would go on to become a household name as Laura Ingalls on *Little House on the Prairie*.

Her adoptive parents, actors Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert, weren’t even planning on adopting a child that day. But when Barbara heard about the baby’s availability, Paul encouraged her to “go get it.” That spontaneous choice gave Melissa a home, along with her younger brother Jonathan, who was also adopted.

Paul Gilbert was a talented actor, dancer, and comedian, and Melissa cherished the time she had with him. Sadly, her parents divorced when she was just six, and Paul passed away a decade later. For years, Melissa believed he had died of a stroke, only to discover much later in life that he had died by suicide—something her family had kept secret to protect her. The revelation was devastating, and she admitted that for months she struggled to eat or sleep. Ultimately, though, it inspired her to speak out for mental health and suicide prevention.

Melissa also learned more about her biological parents as she grew older. Though she had been told her birth mother was a prima ballerina and her father a Rhodes scholar, the truth was less glamorous—her mother was a dancer, and her father a stock-car racer and painter. Despite these discoveries, Melissa embraced both her adoptive and biological histories as part of her unique journey.

Today, Melissa looks back on her career and personal life with gratitude. Now married to actor Timothy Busfield, she is a grandmother to eight and continues to inspire fans not only with her performances but also with her advocacy.

Her story is a reminder that life’s unexpected turns—whether an adoption, a tragedy, or a career-defining role—can shape us in profound ways. Melissa Gilbert’s journey proves that resilience, love, and openness to new paths can turn even the hardest beginnings into something extraordinary.