From Hollywood Spotlight to Rural Serenity: A Former Child Star’s Inspiring Journey
After decades in the public eye, this former child actress made life-changing choices that have allowed her to embrace aging gracefully—far removed from Hollywood’s expectations. Now 60, recent photos reveal a woman who has abandoned modern beauty standards in favor of authenticity and self-acceptance.
Once beloved for her iconic role in Little House on the Prairie, she captivated audiences from a young age. However, after years of navigating the demands of stardom and the pressures of maintaining a youthful appearance, she ultimately chose a drastically different path.
Leaving behind the glitz of Los Angeles, she gave up cosmetic enhancements and sought a quieter life in the mountains. Away from the spotlight, she reconnected with herself and embraced the natural aging process—a profound transformation that reshaped her perspective on beauty and self-worth.
Rising to Fame: From Child Actress to Hollywood Icon
Her journey in entertainment began early. Born in Los Angeles, she entered the industry as a toddler, starring in commercials before landing the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder at just nine years old. Little House on the Prairie became a television staple, chronicling the trials and triumphs of a 19th-century Midwestern family. The show’s immense success launched her into Hollywood’s elite circle, where she remained a familiar presence for decades.
Even in her late 40s, she continued to engage audiences, competing on Dancing with the Stars. Reflecting on her early career, she once remarked, “I had an incredible time growing up.”
Throughout the ’80s, she was a regular on the red carpet, dating high-profile figures like Billy Idol and Rob Lowe. Her personal life also drew attention, beginning with her marriage to actor-director Bo Brinkman in 1988, with whom she had a son before divorcing in 1994. She later wed Bruce Boxleitner, the acclaimed Tron actor, sharing 16 years of marriage and another son before their divorce in 2011.
As the years passed, the actress found it increasingly difficult to keep pace with Hollywood’s beauty ideals, leading her down a path of cosmetic enhancements—decisions she would later regret.
Rejecting Hollywood’s Beauty Ideals
Like many in the industry, she initially turned to cosmetic procedures to preserve a youthful appearance, undergoing Botox, fillers, and breast augmentation. For a time, these enhancements seemed necessary. However, she soon realized they were taking a toll on her—both physically and emotionally.
“One day, I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself,” she admitted. “I had overfilled my face, my forehead wouldn’t move, and I looked like a frozen version of my younger self.”
At the time, she was still dyeing her signature red hair, maintaining an ultra-thin frame, and driving a Mustang convertible. Despite outward appearances, she felt disconnected from who she truly was.
Recognizing this, she made a life-changing decision in 2013: she left Los Angeles for good, walking away from the relentless pressure to conform to industry beauty norms. It was the beginning of a profound transformation, not just in how she looked, but in how she lived.
A Fresh Start in Michigan
That same year, she married actor Timothy Busfield, and together, they sought a quieter existence away from Hollywood. Relocating to Michigan, she found the space to redefine herself on her own terms, crediting her husband for being a steadfast source of support.
“To truly embrace aging, I needed to leave Los Angeles—specifically, not just Hollywood but the entire city,” she explained.
By 2015, she took another bold step in her journey of self-acceptance: she removed her breast implants, stopped dyeing her hair, and abandoned cosmetic enhancements altogether. She prioritized overall well-being, focusing on a lifestyle centered around physical and emotional health.
“Yes, aging comes with its challenges—aching joints, drier skin—but it’s not a curse; it’s a gift,” she reflected. Her years in Michigan allowed her to rediscover herself and embrace the beauty of growing older.
Building a Rustic Retreat in the Catskills
After five years in Michigan, she and Busfield continued their pursuit of a simpler life, settling in a cottage nestled within 14 acres of the Catskill Mountains in 2018. Their new home—endearingly named The Cabbage—needed extensive renovations, but the couple welcomed the challenge.
The property had no heat and required significant work, but instead of being deterred, they saw an opportunity to create something truly their own. They spent their first night in the house on a mattress on the floor, huddled by a wood-burning stove, knowing they had found their forever home.
Through hands-on restoration, they transformed the space into a sanctuary, embracing a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. The actress found peace in growing her own food, raising chickens, and immersing herself in the rhythms of nature—far removed from the expectations of her former Hollywood life.
A Fulfilling, Rural Lifestyle
Life in the Catskills provided a new kind of joy—one rooted in simplicity. She now starts her mornings with tea and meditation before tending to her beloved chickens, affectionately referring to them as “the girls.” Her daily routine revolves around the land, from gathering fresh eggs to maintaining her vegetable garden.
“There’s always something that needs fixing or tending to,” she shared. Yet, instead of red-carpet events or cosmetic appointments, her days are now filled with meaningful, hands-on work.
As part of her commitment to aging naturally, she avoids cosmetic interventions, instead focusing on hydration, nutritious eating, and overall well-being. “I just take care of myself the best way I can,” she said, fully embracing her gray hair and the wisdom that comes with age.
Empowering Women Through Modern Prairie
In 2021, she co-founded Modern Prairie, a lifestyle brand dedicated to supporting and celebrating mature women. Alongside former Williams Sonoma executive Nicole Haase, she launched a platform that fosters community, wellness, and creativity for women navigating midlife and beyond.
Her mission is clear: to provide a space where women can embrace aging without fear or shame. “This stage of life brings incredible changes—physically and emotionally—but we should celebrate them together,” she emphasized.
Beyond offering home goods and wellness products, Modern Prairie hosts workshops and discussions designed to uplift and inspire. Through this endeavor, she continues to advocate for self-acceptance, proving that beauty lies in embracing life’s natural evolution.
At 60, she has found the happiness and fulfillment she once sought in Hollywood—not in youth or glamour, but in authenticity, simplicity, and self-love.