‘Little House on the Prairie’ star Melissa Gilbert ‘had to leave Los Angeles’ to age gracefully

After captivating audiences nationwide as Laura Ingalls Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie,” Melissa Gilbert knew it was time to leave Los Angeles.

The former child star, who thrived in the spotlight, has become a familiar face in Hollywood, dating heartthrobs like Rob Lowe and Billy Idol in the ’80s. At the age of 47, she competed on “Dancing with the Stars.”

But over the years, the actress became obsessed with the need to look young. Today, the 60-year-old man has a lifestyle brand. Modern MeadowAiming to uplift older women, regardless of their age.

‘Little House On The Prairie’ Star Melissa Gilbert On Embracing A Simpler Life: ‘I Don’t Miss Hollywood’

“A few years ago, I looked at myself in the mirror,” Gilbert told Fox News Digital. “I was living in Los Angeles and I didn’t recognize who I was. I had filled out my face and lips too much. My forehead wasn’t moving. I still dyed my hair red. I was driving a Mustang convertible. I looked unhealthily like a frozen version of my younger self, two sizes up, and that wasn’t who I was.”

“I was stuck,” Gilbert admitted. “I could feel myself struggling with it. And I said to myself, ‘It’s time to grow old.’ I had to leave Los Angeles—not specifically Hollywood—to do that.”

Gilbert said she and her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, are moving out. hometown of Michigan After their wedding in 2013.

They lived there for five years. He finally felt free to grow old.

“I’m quitting dying my hair,” she explained. “I had my breast implants removed. I decided to be the best, healthiest version of myself without that pressure to look a certain way, and it paid off in a big way.

“I’ve finally found my feet completely, 100 percent strong in my own knowledge and accomplishments as a woman. Everything has become easier. And a bonus? I have so much more free time looking in the mirror than sitting in front of the dermatologist’s chair or hair chair.”

Gilbert also thanked her “sweet husband” for encouraging her to embrace the aging process.

“I think the older we got, the more we fell in love with each other, which is an extraordinary gift,” he explained. “I think there’s a lot of reasons for that. I think for her I’m a lot more myself and a lot more comfortable with my own body because I’m at this age because I’ve gone through menopause.”

“I love that we are together now at this point in our lives,” he added.

Gilbert and Busfield bought a rustic cottage in 2019. 14 acres in the Catskill Mountains. Life today is “incredibly fulfilling,” he said.

“Extraordinary,” Gilbert enthused. “I love being this age. There are things that aren’t so fun. I don’t like my ankles hurting in the morning or my skin being dry. Getting older isn’t for sissies, but it’s definitely a better alternative. And I’ve never felt better in my skin.”

“I have nine extraordinary grandchildren,” he shared. “I spend my days connecting with and supporting the Modern Prairie community. I get creative satisfaction from the creation of these products and the growth of this company.”

Gilbert stated that Modern Prairie’s goal is to “support each other as we experience all the incredible changes we experience, both physically and emotionally, at this stage of our lives.”

In November – Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month – Modern Prairie opens A special collection featuring purpleThe official color of pancreatic cancer awareness. Gilbert told the publication that all proceeds from the collection will support PanCAN.

WATCH: ‘LITTLE HOUSE’ STAR MICHAEL LANDON WAS STUBBORN ABOUT HIS HEALTH: DAUGHTER

This is a case that concerns Gilbert closely. Michael Landon, who played patriarch Charles Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie,” was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 54. He died in 1991, three months after publicly announcing his diagnosis.

Gilbert’s longtime friend Patrick Swayze also passed away in 2009 From pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.

When she’s not raising awareness about the disease, Gilbert still pursues her love of acting. She just joined the cast of Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart” and is currently involved in another project in development at Lifetime.

“It never ends and I’m enjoying my life,” Gilbert said. “I must say I never thought there would be ‘Half Pint’ in me. That brave little, feisty, fiery girl is still there and is the driving force of everything I do. Sometimes she gets me in a little trouble, but she never goes away. I have a young soul, but a wise old soul.” I have a brain.”

Original article source: ‘Little House on the Prairie’ star Melissa Gilbert ‘had to leave Los Angeles’ to age gracefully