From Hollywood Glam to Country Charm: Melissa Gilbert & Her Husband Traded LA for a Rural Home Overrun with Mold, Mice, and Chaos – A Look Inside Their Farm Life

Melissa Gilbert and Tim Busfield’s Journey to a Simpler Life

When Melissa Gilbert and Tim Busfield first laid eyes on their modest new home, it was far from a dream house. The overwhelming scent and state of disrepair made it clear they had a challenge ahead. They nicknamed it “the cabbage,” blending cabin and cottage into a fitting moniker for their unconventional dwelling.

Leaving Hollywood for a Fresh Start

Gilbert and Busfield, who married in 2013, had each been married twice before. Tired of the fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle, they relocated to a quiet town in Michigan, where Busfield had deep roots. For Gilbert, the move was more than a change of scenery—it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Growing up in Los Angeles, she had always imagined herself living on a farm.

“I got to experience a version of that while filming Little House on the Prairie,” she shared. Gilbert portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder, affectionately called “Half-Pint,” from 1974 to 1983. “There were chickens, cows, and I even had my own horse named Peanuts. I loved playing Laura because I wanted to be like her.”

Although she embraced country life, five years in Michigan felt like enough. In 2018, the couple moved to Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where Gilbert returned to theater and Busfield took on directing and acting projects. Yet, despite their professional successes, something was missing—especially for Busfield.

In her memoir, Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered, Gilbert explained, “It became important for us to have a place where we could escape.” That desire led them to search online, eventually finding a secluded home in Highland Lake, New York.

The house was far from perfect—a small, neglected structure with peeling stucco, half-timbered walls, and a cluttered interior. Mice, mold, and years of neglect only added to the challenge. However, the couple saw potential.

Renovating with Creativity and Determination

Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert pictured on February 7, 2019, in Santa Barbara, California. | Photo: Getty Images

By January 2019, Gilbert and Busfield officially owned “the cabbage” and began renovations on a tight budget. They took a hands-on approach, with Busfield joking that his wife would soon be wielding a hammer.

They salvaged and repurposed materials to bring warmth and charm to their new home. A dull gray sofa was refreshed with burgundy slipcovers and cushions. A plain loveseat became a statement piece with a floral pattern and checkered dust ruffle. Gilbert even assembled a windmill ceiling fan and a table saw herself.

Some aspects, like plumbing and wiring, required professional help, but the couple infused their personalities into every design choice. Their kitchen took on a retro diner aesthetic, featuring red-painted floating shelves made from repurposed bowling-alley wood. Vintage recipes were decoupaged onto cabinet doors, and a corrugated tin panel—aged with vinegar—served as a backdrop for cast-iron cookware.

A glimpse inside Melissa Gilbert and Tim Busfields’ Sullivan County home, dated February 2025 | Source: instagram.com/melissagilbertofficial

The living room, dated February 2025 | Source: instagram.com/melissagilbertofficial

Unlike in previous homes and marriages, where Gilbert handled everything alone, this project was a true partnership. She admitted that her usual approach was to take charge, but with Busfield, it became a shared journey.

As their home evolved, so did their outdoor space. During the COVID-19 lockdown, they introduced raised garden beds for herbs and vegetables and built a chicken coop. Today, seven hens roam their land, making their homestead feel complete.

A view of the outdoor area, dated February 2025 | Source: instagram.com/melissagilbertofficial

Letting Go of Hollywood Beauty Standards

Alongside their home transformation, Gilbert also changed her personal outlook. She once relied on Botox, fillers, and cosmetic enhancements to maintain a youthful Hollywood appearance. However, she came to realize that she no longer recognized herself.

A view of the interior at Melissa Gilbert and Tim Busfield’s home, dated February 2025 | Source: instagram.com/melissagilbertofficial

“I looked in the mirror, and I didn’t see me anymore. My face was overfilled, my lips were too plumped, and my forehead didn’t move,” she recalled. She also felt pressured to maintain an unrealistic body image—dyeing her hair, driving a Mustang convertible, and staying a size two in a way that wasn’t sustainable.

The realization that she was resisting the natural aging process led her to embrace change. She let go of beauty treatments, had her breast implants removed, and focused on feeling good rather than looking a certain way.

Busfield was a strong source of support during this transition. In interviews, she has called him “her sweet husband,” crediting him with making her feel truly beautiful and loved for who she is.

Finding Strength in Love

Gilbert believes that feeling truly comfortable in her own skin has deepened her connection with Busfield. “I love that we are together now at this point in our lives,” she said, grateful for the love they share.

Their romance began when neither of them was looking for love. After two previous marriages each, they reconnected in 2012. Just ten days after Gilbert accepted Busfield’s Facebook friend request, fate brought them together at a bar.

That night, Busfield had gone out for a beer and a meal. Arriving at his usual spot, he was surprised to find someone sitting in his chair—Gilbert. Initially stepping back outside, he later described the moment as feeling like a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark: “Why does it have to be snakes?”

At the time, Busfield hadn’t been on a date in six months. But when Gilbert smiled at him, everything changed. By the end of the night, they were so engrossed in conversation that they barely noticed anyone else. The next morning, he asked her to brunch, and from that moment, they were inseparable.

A Love That Lasts

When asked about the secret to their strong marriage, Gilbert credits mutual respect and shared laughter. “We make each other laugh all the time,” she said. She describes Busfield as her safe space and her greatest source of comfort.

She often expresses her love for him publicly, especially on their anniversary. In April 2024, she posted a throwback wedding photo on Instagram, writing: “Eleven years ago today. I am the luckiest girl in the world. I love you!”

From Hollywood lights to a quiet life in the countryside, Melissa Gilbert and Tim Busfield have built a home filled with love, laughter, and shared purpose. They left behind fame and industry pressures for a life that reflects their true values.

Their story is a testament to the beauty of authenticity, embracing change, and finding joy in the simple moments of life together.