Melissa Gilbert Net Worth. A look into her Career and Biography

Melissa Gilbert is an American actress, author, producer and politician. She is famous for his roles as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the television series Little House on the Prairie. From child star to respected industry veteran, Gilbert has developed into a beloved character in American pop culture over a career spanning more than 50 years.

Aside from her onscreen accomplishments, she has been a writer, a political activist, and even the president of the Screen Actors Guild. Such a seamless transition from one entertainment sector to another is due to Gilbert’s adaptability, persistence, and strong connection with audiences of all ages.

In this article, we will explore Melissa Gilbert net worth, career earnings and financial achievements. We will also discuss her ventures and biography.

Melissa Gilbert Net Worth

In 2025, Melissa Gilbert net worth is estimated to be $500,000. This wealth highlights the reality of handling money after a career in the spotlight. That income represents Melissa’s and her husband’s financial situation. This net worth comes from her career in entertainment and her writing and directing endeavors.

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Career

Melissa Gilbert started her acting career at a very young age and became well-known quickly in one of the most popular family dramas on television. The nine-season series, which was based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, became a backbone of American television. Thanks to Gilbert’s moving reflection of Laura, she became a national celebrity and one of the most well-known child performers of the 1970s and 1980s.

In addition, Melissa served as the Screen Actors Guild president from 2001 to 2005, which aided other actors. She was the third woman actor to hold this role. This organization strives to defend Hollywood actors’ rights. Books about Melissa’s life have also been written. Her debut book, Prairie Tale, discusses her upbringing in Hollywood and its difficulties. Another novel, Back to the Prairie, tells of her experience of relocating to a peaceful rural life.

Here is the list of her career movies and TV series.

Melissa Gilbert Movies:

1. The Miracle Worker
2. Choices of the Heart
3. Sylvester
4. Family Secrets
5. Without Her Consent
6. Forbidden Nights
7. The Lookalike
8. Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story
9. Cries from the Heart
10. Baby Maker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story
11. Thicker Than Water
12. Safe Harbour
13. Secrets and Lies
14. Christmas in My Heart

Television series:

1. Little House on the Prairie
2. Stand by Your Man
3. Batman: The Animated Series
4. Secrets and Lies
5. Choices
6. Sweet Justice

Awards:

1. Bronze Wrangler - Western Heritage Awards
2. Star on the Walk of Fame - Walk of Fame
3. Young Artist Award - Best Young Actress in a Drama Series
4. Golden Boot - Golden Boot Awards
5. TV Land Award - Most Memorable Kiss
6. Golden Boot - Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival 

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Ventures:

Melissa Gilbert entered politics in 2016 as a Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, stepping away from her acting career. Although her political career was cut short due to health issues, it reflects her diverse interests outside of acting.

Early life

Melissa Gilbert is 60 years old and was born on May 8, 1964. Her first name is Melissa and last name is Gilbert. She is from Los Angeles, California in America. She belongs to a Jewish religion. Melissa's parents were Kathy Wood and David Darlington and after her birth Melissa’s parents put her for adoption. On the next day, actor Paul Gilbert and his wife, dancer and actress Barbara Crane adopted her. Melissa’s adoptive parents got divorced when she was only 6 years old.

Melissa’s talent was immediately recognized when she began performing in commercials as a young girl. At 9, she was selected to perform as Laura Ingalls Ingalls in the television series Lighthouse on the Prairie. After that, she became famous at a very young age. Melissa faced many hardships in her early years despite a successful career.

When she was 11 years old, her adoptive father Paul Gilbert died. Later, she learned that he had killed himself because he was depressed. Melissa later looked out and met her birth father, David Darlington, as an adult. Unfortunately, Kathy Wood, her birth mother, had already died.

Personal life

In 1980, Melissa Gilbert was in a relationship with Rob Lowe. Later, they got engaged for a time. Their relationship was very well known and also discussed in public. But before marriage, they got separated. Then, in 1988, Melissa married an actor and director named Bo Brinkman. They had one son, Dakota Paul Brinkman, in 1989. But this couple got divorced in 1994.

 In 1995, Melissa again married Bruce Boxleitner, an actor known for his roles in TV series and movies. They had one son, Michael Garrett Boxleitner. But their relationship lasted 16 years, and they got divorced in 2011. In 2013, she again married Timothy Busfield, an actor and director and they had no child.

Real Estate Investments

Melissa Gilbert had a little house in Los Angeles. But she moved from there, and in 2019, she bought a small house in the Catskill Mountains of New York for just $98,000. They spent time there in a peaceful way. Before this, Melissa lived in a large house in Tarzana, California, with her ex-husband, Bruce Boxleitner. After their divorce, the property was sold, and Melissa moved to Michigan with Timothy.

She lives in a small house with her husband in the Catskill Mountains, where they enjoy a simple and peaceful life and avoid Hollywood.

FAQs

How much money did Melissa Gilbert make?

In 2014 and part of 2015, Melissa Gilbert reported an income range of $101,404 to $1,004,500 from her own assets and at least $200,000 since 2014. 

What business does Melissa Gilbert own?

Modern Prairie, founded in 2022 by Melissa Gilbert and Nicole Haase, is a lifestyle brand with a unique mission: to support and empower women aged 50 and beyond. 

What disease does Melissa Gilbert have?

Gilbert has misophonia.