On September 6, 2024, Melissa Gilbert, famous for her role as Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, opened up about her decision to leave Hollywood. The former child star revealed that she moved away from Los Angeles for the sake of her mental health and to embrace aging in a healthier way. Gilbert, now 60, discussed her journey with People magazine, stating that Hollywood’s intense pressure, especially on female actors, led her to feel like she needed to escape .
Gilbert first left Los Angeles in 2013, when she and her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, moved to a small town in Michigan. She shared that life in L.A. had become suffocating, where she felt constant pressure to maintain her youth and appearance. “It felt like living in a fishbowl,” Gilbert explained. She often felt that everyone in the entertainment industry was constantly competing and scrutinizing each other, making it difficult to age gracefully .
In Michigan, Gilbert embraced a simpler lifestyle, focusing on her physical and emotional well-being. She chose to stop using Botox and fillers, saying that she wanted to feel more comfortable in her own skin. “Aging is not a curse, it’s a blessing,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of accepting the aging process instead of fighting it .
After five years in Michigan, the couple decided to move again, this time to a quiet cottage in upstate New York, where they continue to live today. The actress described how this move allowed her to further distance herself from Hollywood’s superficial expectations. She now feels at peace with her decision, enjoying life far from the pressures of the entertainment industry .
Despite leaving Hollywood, Gilbert has no regrets about her career. She started acting at the age of 2 and became a household name when she was cast as Laura Ingalls at 9. Reflecting on her early years, she fondly remembers her time in the spotlight but feels content with her current life, free from the demands of the industry.
Melissa Gilbert’s decision to step away from Hollywood reflects a growing trend of celebrities choosing to prioritize their well-being over fame. Like other stars, including Mark Wahlberg and Candace Cameron Bure, Gilbert now lives a more peaceful life, far from the spotlight .
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