After decades in the spotlight, this former child star made life-altering decisions that have allowed her to age gracefully far away from Hollywood. Her recent photos at 60 reveal a woman who has let go of modern beauty standards, opting instead for authenticity and self-acceptance.
A former child star, known for her iconic role in “Little House on the Prairie,” has made a surprising life transformation. After years in the Hollywood spotlight and the pressures of maintaining a youthful appearance, she chose a radically different path.
She left Los Angeles behind, gave up beauty procedures, and moved to a quiet mountain home. Far away from fame and glamor, she began to reconnect with herself and embrace the natural aging process. It was a drastic change, but it allowed her to focus on her well-being and redefine what aging meant to her.
The young actress as Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder with Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls Kendall, on the set of “Little House on the Prairie” in 1977 | Source: Getty Images
Early Life and Career Success — From Child Star to Hollywood Icon
Her journey in show business began early. Born in Los Angeles, she got her start in acting as a toddler, appearing in commercials. At nine years old, she landed the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie,” which became a hit series.
The show depicted the trials and adventures of the Ingalls family in the nineteenth-century Midwest. Premiering in the mid-1970s, it became a staple of American television. The fame she garnered from the show opened doors to a dazzling Hollywood life.
She would remain a regular on the Hollywood scene for decades, even appearing on “Dancing with the Stars,” at the age of 47. Reflecting on her childhood in the industry, she once said, “I had an incredible time growing up.”
The former child star with Maksim Chmerkovskiy on “Dancing with the Stars” on April 23, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
By the ’80s, she was a familiar face at red-carpet events, mingling with top stars and dating notable figures like Billy Idol and Rob Lowe. Her personal life also made headlines, starting with her marriage to actor and director Bo Brinkman in 1988. The couple had a son together, but their relationship was rocky, ending in divorce in 1994.
The former child star and Bo Brinkman at the “End of the Line” premiere on February 28, 1988 | Source: Getty Images
Not long after, she married her second husband, Bruce Boxleitner, a prominent actor known for his roles in the “Tron” franchise and various TV series. The two shared a long marriage of 16 years and had a son before divorcing in 2011.
The former child star and Bruce Boxleitner attending the screening of “Fallen Champ: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson” on January 2, 1992 | Source: Getty Images
It was a whirlwind experience, filled with the highs and lows of life in the spotlight. As she got older, though, she faced new challenges. Hollywood’s beauty standards became harder to keep up with, pushing her to take steps she would later regret.
The actress with sons Michael and Dakota during “The Powerpuff Girls Movie” premiere | Source: Getty Images
Breaking Free from Hollywood’s Beauty Standards
In her younger years, the young actress felt the pressure to keep up with Hollywood’s idea of beauty. Wanting to fit in, she turned to cosmetic enhancements in an attempt to look younger, opting for breast implants, fillers, and regular Botox injections.
The actress photographed on January 27, 1982 | Source: Getty Images
For a while, it seemed like part of the job. However, the procedures began to take a toll on her both physically and mentally. “I looked at myself in the mirror several years back,” she shared in an interview. “I had overfilled my face and my lips. My forehead didn’t move.”
The actress posing for a portrait in 1987 | Source: Getty Images
“I was still dyeing my hair red. I was driving a Mustang convertible. I was a size two in an unhealthy way,” she reflected. “I looked like a frozen version of my younger self, and that’s not who I was.”
The former child star during the premiere of “TRON Legacy” on December 11, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
She realized she was trying too hard to fit into Hollywood’s narrow definition of youth, even though it no longer felt right to her. “I was stuck,” she admitted. It wasn’t just the physical changes that bothered her — it was the feeling of being disconnected from her true self.
The actress at Grand Central Terminal on September 25, 2012 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
So, in 2013, she made a bold choice: she decided to leave Los Angeles and the lifestyle that came with it. This decision marked the start of a significant transformation, not just in her appearance, but in her entire way of living. She knew she needed a fresh start, away from the constant scrutiny and pressure to look a certain way.
The actress pictured during Bright Lights of L.A. Benefiting Starlight Children’s Foundation, in November 2000 | Source: Getty Images
A New Beginning in Michigan
In 2013, Melissa Gilbert married her third husband, actor Timothy Busfield. The couple wanted a life away from the intense scrutiny of Hollywood, opting instead for the simplicity and slower pace of the Midwest.