When she was just a newborn, Melissa Gilbert’s biological parents decided to place her for adoption. Their demanding careers took precedence over raising a child, leaving them unwilling to care for her after her birth. Born on May 8, 1964, at the now-defunct French Hospital in Los Angeles, the future star’s life began with a secret that would only be revealed years later.

Melissa was adopted by Barbara Crane, a young actress whose career had been cut short, and Paul Gilbert, a multi-talented entertainer with a background in comedy, acting, dancing, and even aerial performances with a family circus from Buenos Aires. At just 24 hours old, Melissa found her new home with the Gilberts. She wasn’t the only child they welcomed into their family; they also adopted her younger brother, Jonathan.

Although Barbara and Paul divorced when Melissa was six, she cherished her memories of her father, describing him as the most brilliant, energetic, humorous, loving, and fair person she had ever known. When Paul passed away in 1976, it was widely believed that he had suffered a stroke in his sleep. It was then that the truth about her adoption began to surface.

In her memoir, “Prairie Tale: A Memoir,” Melissa recounts how she was told as a child that her biological father, David Darlington, had been a Rhodes Scholar, and her mother, Kathy Wood, a prima ballerina. However, the truth was far from the romanticized version she had been told. Her biological parents, unwilling to give up their careers, chose to put her up for adoption because her birth had come at an inconvenient time. Her father was reportedly in the middle of a project, making it impossible for them to raise her.

As Melissa grew older, she uncovered more about her biological roots. Her mother, while not a prima ballerina, was indeed a dancer, and her father, David, was a stock car racer and sign painter. The couple already had children from previous marriages and, unable to support another child, decided to place Melissa for adoption.

After Paul Gilbert’s death, Melissa was shocked to learn even more about her adoption. Her godmother, Mitzi, revealed that when the Gilberts first brought Melissa home, it had been a surprise to everyone. Barbara, her adoptive mother, admitted that they hadn’t been planning on adopting a child, but after receiving a call that a baby girl was available, Paul had instructed Barbara to “go get it.” This casual reference to her as “it” initially hurt Melissa, but Barbara clarified that she hadn’t even been born at that point. The Gilberts had been undergoing fertility treatments and hadn’t considered adoption until that pivotal phone call.

The secrecy surrounding Melissa’s adoption extended beyond her childhood. In a 2020 interview, she shared that she was told her father had died from a stroke when she was 11, only to learn at 45 that he had actually committed suicide. The truth, hidden for decades, was difficult for her to process, leading to a period of intense grief.

Determined to understand what had happened, Melissa hired a detective, who uncovered that her father, a World War II veteran, had been in immense pain and had threatened suicide while under the care of the VA hospital. This revelation plunged Melissa into a deep emotional struggle, but she eventually made peace with the truth. Today, she honors her father’s memory by advocating for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Melissa Gilbert, who became a household name for her role as Laura “Half-Pint” Ingalls Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie,” has come a long way from the days of secrecy and pain. Now, she embraces her life with her third husband, Timothy Busfield, and their blended family, including eight grandchildren. Their story is one of resilience, acceptance, and the power of facing the past to embrace a brighter future.