Melissa Gilbert Ditches LA at 60, Citing Safety Concerns About Aging There

Melissa Gilbert’s Departure from Hollywood

In 2013, Melissa Gilbert said goodbye to the Hollywood scene, a decision she firmly stands by to this day.

Now 60, the former star of “Little House on the Prairie” shared in an exclusive interview with Page Six that she moved from Los Angeles to New York City to escape the pervasive anti-aging culture of LA.

“The whole atmosphere in LA felt dangerously unwelcoming towards aging. The term ‘anti-aging’ itself is something I absolutely detest; to me, it basically means you’re either anti-aging or you’re dead,” she expressed.

While residing in California, Gilbert felt an immense pressure to look perpetually young and maintain an unrealistically small dress size.

A Change in Perspective

Relocating to the East Coast brought an immediate shift in her outlook on getting older.

“I transitioned from fearing aging to embracing and actually celebrating it,” Gilbert revealed. “Turning sixty has been wonderful. It’s a time for reflection on my achievements and realizing the value and wisdom I’ve accumulated over the years. There’s so much I’ve done, and my journey is far from over.”

Now residing on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her husband, Timothy Busfield, Gilbert finds joy in her current life phase, though she still holds a deep affection for Los Angeles.

“It wasn’t until the wildfires struck that I realized how deeply I love my hometown,” she noted, referring to the recent fires in the Pacific Palisades. “It’s heartbreaking to see friends lose everything. My love for LA remains strong; it’s just no longer the place for me to live. But it will always be where I’m from.”

Continuing Her Acting Career

Gilbert is also preparing to appear in an off-Broadway play titled “Still,” alongside Mark Moses from “Mad Men”. The play explores a couple’s reunion after three decades and their attempt to rekindle their relationship despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

She admits that her past marriages, to Bo Brinkman and Bruce Boxleitner, which were marked by political differences, have influenced her portrayal in the play.

“Those marriages became unsustainable, especially before the political climate heated up in 2016,” she shared. “Becoming single again brought a sense of relief and peace to my home, allowing me to freely express my opinions without fear of conflict.”

Looking ahead, Gilbert has a busy schedule with a role in the Hallmark series “When Calls the Heart” and her business venture, Modern Prairie, which offers apparel and home decor for mature women.

The play “Still” is set to start performances on February 6, 2025.