Melissa Gilbert is a famous American actress. Many people recognize her from the TV show "Little House on the Prairie," where she played the character Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Currently, Gilbert is married to Timothy Busfield. But before him, she was married to Bruce Boxleitner and Bo Brinkman. She has had an interesting life both on and off the screen.
Married To Timothy Busfield
Met At The Bar
Gilbert and Timothy Busfield first met at a bar in 2012. He used to frequent a bar near Universal Studios that was quiet until it turned into a club later in the evening. He enjoyed having the place to himself for a while.
One day, Timothy noticed Melissa at the bar. At first, he wasn't interested in starting a relationship. But after introducing himself to her, they ended up talking all night. Despite his initial reservations, his feelings changed as they got to know each other better.
Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield at their wedding SOURCE: Pinterest
The Wedding
Melissa and Timothy's love story continued to blossom after their first meeting at the bar. They got engaged in December 2012.
Just a few months later, on April 24, 2013, the two tied the knot. Gilbert and Busfield's wedding took place at the beautiful and historic San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California.
Timothy's Love Through Song
Gilbert and Busfield recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary with a heartfelt gesture. To mark this special occasion, he decided to express his love for her uniquely - through music.
Timothy penned a beautiful song titled "Never Gonna Let You Go." In this heartfelt composition, he poured his emotions into every lyric, expressing his unwavering commitment and devotion to his beloved wife.
Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield at an event SOURCE: Pinterest
Didn't Marry For Money
The "Guest Artist" actress didn't choose to marry for money. She and Timothy prioritized love above all else in their marriage.
The couple understood that while money might bring convenience, it couldn't sustain a fulfilling relationship. As Gilbert and Busfield embarked on their third marriage together, they knew that love was the cornerstone of a successful partnership.
The couple also valued open and frequent conversations about money. For them, the richness of life came from their deep connection and shared experiences, rather than any material wealth.
Previous Marriages
Bruce Boxleitner
Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner's love story began with a chance introduction orchestrated by his first wife, Kathryn Holcomb. She played matchmaker and brought them together.
On January 1, 1995, Melissa and Bruce exchanged vows. However, their relationship eventually faced challenges. After years of trying to make things work, they decided to part ways. Their divorce was finalized on August 25, 2011.
Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner at their wedding SOURCE: Pinterest
Broken Up Before Eventual Divorce
Bruce and Melissa's relationship faced challenges even before their final divorce. After dating for around two years, they took a big step forward by getting engaged. However, he abruptly ended their relationship without giving any reason.
This unexpected breakup left Melissa feeling bewildered and deeply hurt. Despite the pain, Bruce eventually realized his mistake. He reached out to the actress and convinced her to meet him in Montreal. There, they rekindled their romance.
The Actress Realization
The moment Gilbert began to doubt her marriage to Boxleitner was during a challenging health crisis. While performing in the musical adaptation of "Little House on the Prairie," she faced a serious setback when she was diagnosed with a herniated disc in her lower back.
When Melissa needed support the most, Boxleitner's response was not what she expected, as mentioned in the Showbiz Cheatsheet. Instead of rushing to her side, he suggested she arrange her own transportation home from the hospital.
After facing the difficult recovery process alone, the "Family of Strangers" actress realized that Boxleitner couldn't provide the care she needed from a partner. This revelation prompted her to reflect on the qualities she truly valued in a partner, which she shared in her 2022 memoir, "Back to the Prairie."
Suffering From Divorce
Melissa Gilbert found herself in a difficult emotional state following her divorce from Boxleitner. Emotionally, she confessed to feeling like she was losing her grip on reality during this turbulent time.
To cope with the pain, Melissa made some drastic decisions. She underwent cosmetic procedures like Botox and fillers and indulged in material possessions such as a Mustang convertible. However, upon reflection, she recognized the potential negative impact these actions might have had on her two sons.
Bo Brinkman
Gilbert and Bo Brinkman were introduced by a mutual friend. Their initial meeting happened at a bar. The crazy story from that day was when he stood up for the actress by punching a man who had made a rude remark about her.
This bold act of chivalry quickly caught Melissa's attention. The two began dating shortly after. However, their budding romance faced a complication as he was living with a girlfriend at the time.
Melissa and Bo took a whirlwind journey to the alta. She tied the knot on February 21, 1988, after just six weeks of knowing each other. Their decision to marry was marked by a small, secret wedding held at city hall.
Melissa Gilbert and her ex-partner, Bo Brinkman SOURCE: Pinterest
Melissa's First Husband Cheated On Her
The betrayal Melissa experienced from Bo was deeply painful. Just two months after giving birth to their first child, the actress was confronted with the devastating discovery that he had cheated on her. Shockingly, he had even brought another woman, identified as a sex worker, into their home.
Adding to the turmoil, Melissa also alleged that Bo had been unfaithful to actress Shannen Doherty. However, neither Doherty nor Brinkman responded to these accusations, leaving her to navigate the aftermath of infidelity on her own.
Gilbert's Past Relationships
Melissa Gilbert's romantic history is quite diverse. From her time with actor Jon Tenney in 1992 to her brief encounter with John Cusack in 1983, her love life has seen its share of ups and downs.
Gilbert has been linked to a string of high-profile romances, including Dylan McDermott in 1992, Billy Idol in 1986, and Tom Cruise in 1982. Her dating history also includes relationships with Frank Capra III in 1984, Scott Baio from 1984 to 1986, and Timothy Hutton in 1982.
Melissa's longest-lasting romance was with Rob Lowe, spanning from 1981 to 1987. Additionally, she has been involved with Cyril O'Reilly from 1981 to 1982 and Michael Landon Jr. from 1979 to 1980.
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