Melissa Gilbert Age, Husband, Height, Net Worth

Melissa Gilbert has spent nearly six decades in the entertainment world, first winning audiences as Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie and later building a career as an actress, author, producer, and former Screen Actors Guild president. Born May 8, 1964, in Los Angeles, she is 62 years old in 2026. Her career has included television, film, theater, books, and voice work, while her long-running connection with Little House on the Prairie remains the defining part of her public profile.

Melissa Gilbert Age: Quick Bio

Detail	Full Information
Full Name	Melissa Ellen Gilbert
Date of Birth	May 8, 1964
Height	5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Age	62 years old in 2026
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, USA
Nationality	American
Profession	Actress, Author, Producer, Director
Years Active	1967–present
Famous For	Playing Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie
Nickname	Half-Pint, Missy
Parents	Paul Gilbert and Barbara Crane (adoptive parents)
Siblings	Jonathan Gilbert and Sara Gilbert
Marital Status	Married
Husband	Timothy Busfield
Previous Husbands	Bo Brinkman and Bruce Boxleitner
Children	Dakota Brinkman and Michael Boxleitner
Hair Color	Auburn/Red
Eye Color	Blue
Weight	Not reliably confirmed
Net Worth	Estimated around $500,000, although celebrity net-worth figures are not independently verified
Education	Attended school in California while working as a child actress
Career Breakthrough	Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie
Major TV Role	Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983)
Other Notable Work	The Miracle Worker, Batman: The Animated Series, Dancing with the Stars, television films and theater
SAG Leadership	President of the Screen Actors Guild, 2001–2005
Books	Prairie Tale, Daisy and Josephine, My Prairie Cookbook, Back to the Prairie
Awards & Recognition	Hollywood Walk of Fame star; Primetime Emmy nomination; multiple other nominations and wins
Instagram	Her social-media presence has changed; official-account status should be checked before publication
Family Background	Raised in a show-business family and adopted by actor Paul Gilbert and actress Barbara Crane
Current Career	Acting, writing, producing, and lifestyle/creative projects
Known For Today	Her enduring legacy as Laura Ingalls Wilder and her work as an author and actress

Melissa Gilbert Images

A Timeline Melissa Gilbert Public Career

Year	Career Milestone
1964	Born in Los Angeles, California
Late 1960s	Began appearing in television commercials
1974	Cast as Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie
1974–1983	Starred in Little House on the Prairie
1979	Appeared in The Miracle Worker
1985	Received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star
1990s	Continued television, film, theater and voice work
2001–2005	Served as President of the Screen Actors Guild
2009	Published memoir Prairie Tale
2012	Competed on Dancing with the Stars
2013	Married Timothy Busfield
2022	Published Back to the Prairie
2026	Continues her work as an actress, author and public figure

Melissa Gilbert Family

Family Member	Relationship
Paul Gilbert	Adoptive Father
Barbara Crane	Adoptive Mother
Jonathan Gilbert	Adoptive Brother
Sara Gilbert	Maternal Half-Sister
Bo Brinkman	First Husband
Dakota Brinkman	Son
Bruce Boxleitner	Second Husband
Michael Boxleitner	Son
Timothy Busfield	Current Husband

Melissa Gilbert Social Accounts

Platform	Account
Instagram	@melissagilbertofficial

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