By james art 
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 “Little House on the Prairie” star shared in an exclusive interview with Page Six that she moved from Los Angeles to New York to escape LA’s pervasive anti-aging culture.
“The whole atmosphere in LA felt dangerously anti-aging. The term “anti-aging alone” is something I absolutely put off; To me, that basically means you’re either anti-aging or you’re dead,” she expressed.
While residing in California, Gilbert felt enormous pressure to look perpetually young and maintain an unrealistically small dress size.
A change in perspective
The move to the East Coast brought an immediate change in her outlook on aging.
“I went from fearing aging to embracing it and actually celebrating it,” Gilbert revealed. “The inclusion of sixty was wonderful. It is a time to reflect on my accomplishments and realize the value and wisdom I have gained over the years. I have done so much and my journey is far from over. “
Now residing on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with her husband, Timothy Busfield, Gilbert finds joy in her current phase of life, although she still has a deep attachment to Los Angeles.
“It wasn’t until the fires hit that I realized how deeply I love my hometown,” she noted, referring to the recent Pacific Palisades fires. “It’s heartbreaking to see friends lose everything. My love for LA remains strong; It’s just not the place for me anymore. But it will always be where I’m from. “
Continuing his acting career
Gilbert is also set to appear in an off-Broadway play titled Still opposite Mad Men’s Mark Moses. The play explores the 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 previous marriages, to Beau Brinkman and Bruce Boxleitner, which were marked by political differences, influenced her portrayal in the play.
“These 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 the Heart Calls and her business venture, Modern Prairie, which offers clothing and home decor for mature women.
The play “yet” is scheduled to begin performances on February 6, 2025.