Melissa Gilbert, once a staple of American television as Laura Ingalls on "Little House on the Prairie," has exchanged the Hollywood hills for the quiet solitude of the Catskill Mountains.
According to the Daily Mail, Melissa Gilbert cited the relentless pressure to maintain a youth-centric appearance in Hollywood as her reason for relocating to a more serene environment.
Gilbert's journey into the limelight began at a young age when she starred in the beloved series "Little House on the Prairie." Following the show's conclusion, she didn't step away from the camera, continuing her acting career in various movies and television shows.
In a significant shift from her life in Los Angeles, Gilbert moved to a farmhouse in Michigan in 2013. This move marked the beginning of her journey towards a more grounded and peaceful lifestyle.
By 2019, she had taken another step in her quest for tranquility by purchasing a 14-acre property in upstate New York for $98,000 with her husband, Timothy Busfield. They spent about a year renovating it before moving in.
The allure of Hollywood and its opportunities could not outweigh the pressures that Gilbert faced within the industry. She elaborated on her experiences, noting the intense pressure to stay looking young and maintain a particular body image. "I just didn’t feel like that was a safe place for me to age," Gilbert commented on her departure from Hollywood.
This environment pushed her towards multiple cosmetic surgeries, including the use of fillers, implants, and Botox. However, after moving to New York, Gilbert decided to embrace her natural aging process, abandoning these artificial enhancements.
"This is me now - no hair color, no filler, no implants, no Botox. I just take care of myself," she said, highlighting a significant shift towards a natural lifestyle that includes growing her food and raising chickens. Her return to acting in the series "When Calls the Heart," produced by Michael Landon Jr., marked a new chapter where she could still enjoy her craft without the pressures of Hollywood.
The COVID-19 lockdown periods provided Gilbert with a unique opportunity to deepen her connection with her new lifestyle. She found joy and fulfillment in the simplicity and stillness of her rural surroundings. "Our lives are simple now, and there's a sweetness to that simplicity," she reflected.
Gilbert’s move was also a return to her roots in a way, as her iconic role as Laura Ingalls had originally inspired her love for a life intertwined with nature. The decision to live in a remote area was a natural progression of the values she cherished from her childhood.
Her lifestyle transformation also includes a spiritual renewal. "I wanted to reverse that. I wanted to become more spiritual, more grounded, more at peace, more connected to my community, to my family, to my friends," Gilbert explained about her aspirations for her new life in the Catskills.
In November, before the coverage of this story, Gilbert launched an app for her lifestyle brand targeted at older women, demonstrating her commitment to supporting others in embracing their age. Her efforts are not only personal but also extend to helping others find the same peace and fulfillment she has found.
"I have done so much and I continue to do it and it’s not over by any stretch of the imagination," Gilbert shared, shedding light on her active role in both her community and professional projects despite stepping back from the Hollywood spotlight.
Gilbert's journey from a Hollywood actress to a proponent of natural aging and simpler living exemplifies her transformative life choices. "I went from, 'Oh God, I better not get older,' to, 'Oh God, I’m so glad I’m older,'" she conveyed, capturing the essence of her renewed outlook on life.
Her story is a profound statement on finding personal happiness and fulfillment beyond the glittering allure of fame. "I love the age I am right now. 60 has been the most incredible year," Gilbert concluded, expressing satisfaction and wisdom gained from her experiences.
