This Girl Became a Successful Child Star after Bio Parents Gave Her up to Family Who Had ‘No Plans’ to Adopt

When she was a newborn, his celebrity’s biological parents placed her for adoption.

Because their occupations meant more to them than raising a child, the star’s birth parents didn’t want her when she was born.

Up until the truth was revealed, the actress’ adoptive parents had been lying about her background.
The French Hospital in Los Angeles, which is now defunct, was the hospital where the future celebrity was born on May 8, 1964. The actress was adopted by Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert, who took her in when she was just 24 hours old.

Paul Gilbert, their daughter, and Barbara Crane at the 4th Annual People's Choice Awards on February 20, 1978 | Source: Getty Images


Jonathan, her younger brother, was also adopted by the couple. Barbara was a twentysomething actress whose career was cut short, and Paul was a stand-up comedian, actor, and dancer who began as an aerialist with a family circus from Buenos Aires. Barbara and Paul parted ways when the young child was six years old, but his daughter remembered him with affection, saying:

“I have never known a more brilliant, energetic, humorous, loving, and fair person than my father.”

When Paul passed away in 1976, many believed he had suffered a stroke while in bed. Her adoption was made public. The celebrity claimed in her book “Prairie Tale: A Memoir” that she was informed when she was a young kid that her father, David Darlington, had been a Rhodes Scholar and that her biological mother, Kathy Wood, was a prima ballerina.

Her birth parents reportedly had no desire to give up their occupations in order to raise her, according to her adopted parents. The timing of the celebrity’s birth was allegedly incorrect, and as a result, they had to give up their daughter because her father was in the middle of a project.

She learned the whole truth about her biological parents when she was old enough. Although not a prima ballerina, her birth mother was a dancer, and David was a stock car racer and sign painter.

Kathy and David had three children between them when they were first married to other people. After running away, becoming pregnant, and moving in with their kids, the couple realized they couldn’t support a seventh child.

Parents Who Adopted Her Didn’t Want Her

The actress was stunned to learn more about her adoption after the death of her adopted father. Mitzi, her godmother, talked about the day she was picked up from the hospital by her adoptive parents.

She acknowledged that when the Gilberts returned with their new baby, it came as a shock. This astonished the actress, who looked to Barbara, along with other family members, and she confessed:

“Well, we weren’t planning on adopting a kid.”

When Barbara and her husband received a call informing them that the little girl will be available, they replied they weren’t seeking for a kid. When the celebrity’s adoptive mother phoned her out-of-state spouse, he instructed her to “go get it.”

She said to the journalist that she wouldn’t subject her kids to the burden of such a dark secret.
She was taken aback to hear herself referred to as a “it,” but Barbara clarified that she hadn’t even been born yet. Later, after learning of her upcoming arrival, Barbara revealed to her that they had been attempting to conceive.

Barbara claims that although the Gilberts were undergoing fertility treatments, they had not brought up the subject of adoption until they got the call. The actress discussed the secrecy of her adoptive family in an interview from July 2020.

The Secrets of the Family
The famous person disclosed to “CBS Sunday Morning” that she learned at the age of 11 that her father had passed away due to a stroke. But she found out at 45 that he had committed suicide.

The actress concealed the secret from everyone in her life, even herself. She informed the interviewer that she would never subject her children to the harm that such deep secrets do to families.

To learn the truth about what had happened to her adopted father, the actress engaged a detective. The detective learned that the deceased World War II veteran had threatened to take his own life while receiving care from the VA and was in excruciating pain.

An actress seen at the Santa Monica Bowling Alley in Santa Monica on January 23, 1982 | Source: Getty Images

She fought the anguish of losing her father in this way for approximately six months after learning the truth about Paul. During that time, she was unable to eat or sleep. She has since come to terms with it, though, and now works to preserve his memory by supporting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

On January 23, 1982, an actress was spotted in Santa Monica at the Santa Monica Bowling Alley | Source: Getty Images
The actress also accepted and forgave Barbara for her decision to conceal the truth, even though she had been angry and betrayed for a long time. The next chapter reveals the celebrity’s name and her current way of life.

Who Is the Star Who Got Abandoned and Went on to Become a Famous Actress?
Melissa Gilbert is the actress, best known for her role as Laura “Half-Pint” Ingalls Wilder on the adored television program “Little House on the Prairie,” which ran from 1974 to 1983. She published her memoir, “Back to the Prairie,” in July 2022, and she is currently spending time with her family.

The celebrity acknowledged that she is “blessed” and mentioned that she is in a different place from her deceased adoptive father. She wants Paul to have felt the happiness that comes with having grandkids and the value of having a life partner who makes you feel listened, safe, and loved.

Timothy Busfield, Melissa’s third husband, and she became grandparents to a total of eight grandchildren in May 2022. While going through his second divorce, Busfield observed the actress waiting for a buddy at an empty pub in 2012.

Melissa Gilbert and her husband Timothy Busfield at a photocall during the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 20, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco | Getty Images

On June 20, 2023, in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Melissa Gilbert and her spouse Timothy Busfield attended a photocall for the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival | Getty Images
In April 2013, the pair got married in an intimate ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, with Melissa donning a dress by Morgane Le Faye. When Barbara’s daughter couldn’t determine what she wanted, Barbara suggested the brand’s Santa Monica store.

She disclosed in her book “Back to the Prairie” that Busfield, dressed in a blue suit, was alone at the private event; no guests were present. After nearly a lifetime in Hollywood, the famous person had her first kid, a son named Dakota Paul Brinkman, from her first marriage to the actor Bo Brinkman.

Michael Garrett Boxleitner is Melissa’s second child, born after her marriage to Bruce Boxleitner. Along with being a father, Busfield raised three children: Wilson, Daisy, and Samuel. He and his wife currently reside peacefully in a 14-acre cottage in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

WHAT MY SON DID 26 YEARS AFTER I WAS KICKED OUT PREGNANT WILL SHOCK YOU

Tina thought she was living her dream when she married her high school sweetheart, Richard. But after being kicked out by her husband and raising their son on her own, she discovered how serious the consequences of our choices can be.

Tina had always dreamed of a grand traditional wedding. However, she ended up eloping with Richard at just 18, which was far from the wedding she had imagined.

Richard came from a wealthy family, and the idea of eloping didn’t seem ideal to Tina. But she was just happy to marry the man she loved. She wasn’t interested in his money—she truly loved Richard.

“Get out, Tina! If I see you here again, we’ll have a problem!”

After a few months of living together, Tina discovered she was pregnant. Even though they hadn’t talked about having kids, Tina was thrilled and eager to share the news with her husband.

Richard’s reaction was not what Tina expected. He asked, “What do you mean you’re pregnant?” clearly upset.

Tina tried to reassure him, saying, “I thought you’d be more excited. I know we didn’t plan this, but I believe you’d be a great father.”

Richard responded angrily, “Family man? The only reason we’re together is so I can get away from my own family! How could you do this to me?”

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Tina was shocked by Richard’s angry words. She wondered if he was showing his true colors but hoped he just needed more time to process the news. She convinced herself to be patient.

The next day, Richard came home drunk and suddenly kicked Tina out of their apartment.

“Get out, Tina! If I see you here again, we’ll have a problem!” he shouted.

Tina didn’t argue and left, thinking Richard would come to his senses. A few days later, when Tina tried to return to the apartment, she found that Richard had changed the locks. She called Richard’s parents, and the conversation left Tina heartbroken.

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“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Tinney. I was trying to reach Richard. We recently…” Tina began to explain, but was rudely interrupted.

“How dare you call after everything you’ve done to our Richy!” Mrs. Tinney snapped.

“Me? I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Please, let me explain…” Tina tried to respond, but was cut off again.

“We’ve heard all about it! How you cheated on him and got pregnant with another man’s child! Don’t ever call here again, or we’ll take legal action against you!” Mrs. Tinney said harshly.

At that moment, Tina realized that she and her unborn child were completely on their own.

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Years went by, and Tina worked hard to raise her son, Greg, with all the love and strength she had. Greg made it easier for her by understanding their situation and helping out. Even though Tina struggled to make ends meet, Greg’s willingness to pitch in lightened her load.

Tina was always open with Greg about what had happened between his father and her. Greg appreciated his mother’s efforts and worked alongside her to support the family. At just 15 years old, he began working as a caddy at the local golf club.

Despite starting work early, Greg never let it affect his schoolwork. Although he wasn’t the top student, his strong work ethic helped him graduate high school with honors. Using the money he saved from his job, Greg soon started his own business.

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Tina was incredibly proud of the man Greg was becoming, but she was concerned about the growing anger he seemed to have toward his estranged father.

Greg didn’t talk much about his father, but Tina could always see the anger in his eyes whenever the topic came up.

As the years went by, Greg’s business continued to thrive, and he became quite successful. By the age of 26, he was one of the most successful young people in his city and even hired his mother to work at one of their main offices.

One day, Greg decided it was time to visit his father. He had been tracking Richard’s movements for a while and was finally ready to confront him.

Greg drove up to Richard’s house with a baseball bat tightly clutched in his hand. He wasn’t sure exactly what he planned to do when he met Richard, but his anger was so intense that he was certain the bat would come into play. Whatever his intentions, they were not friendly.

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As Greg sat in his car, debating his next steps on this long journey, he saw something that shook him deeply.

Greg had never been a violent person, not as a child or as an adult. He had carried this deep scar for so long that he never imagined it could heal.

Years of pain had convinced him that Richard deserved whatever was coming to him. But when he saw his father come outside to take out the trash, looking frail and dressed in rags, Greg felt a wave of realization.

In that moment, Greg understood how far his quest for revenge had taken him. The man who had caused so much pain was now nothing more than a shadow of his former self. Greg questioned if this broken man was worth all the anger and effort he had put into seeking revenge.

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Greg noticed a “for sale” sign in Richard’s yard and decided to put the bat down and call the number on the sign. He learned that Richard was deeply in debt, and the house was being sold to cover his loans.

Feeling relieved and clear-headed, Greg left Richard’s property, realizing he had narrowly avoided making a huge mistake. He then bought the house.

A few days later, Richard went to the property agent’s office to finalize the sale, only to find Tina and Greg waiting for him.

Richard was speechless. As soon as he entered the room, Greg introduced himself and told Richard to leave the property.

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“If I see you again, we’ll have a problem!” Greg said.

Tina watched in silence as Richard left, feeling a sense of déjà vu. His departure mirrored the way he had once sent her away, and she couldn’t help but think, *What are the chances?*

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