Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role on Little House on the Prairie, has had a love life as dramatic as any script. She has been married three times—to Bo Brinkman, Bruce Boxleitner, and Timothy Busfield—and has dated a string of celebrities including Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, and Billy Idol. Her relationships have unfolded under public scrutiny for decades, marked by heartbreak, alleged infidelity, and legal troubles.
Three Marriages, Three Chapters
Gilbert's first marriage was to actor Bo Brinkman in 1988, when she was just 24. The couple welcomed a son, Dakota, in 1989. However, the marriage crumbled due to Brinkman's drinking and infidelity, including an alleged affair with Gilbert's Little House co-star Shannen Doherty. Gilbert and Brinkman separated in 1992 and divorced in 1994.
Her second marriage was to Bruce Boxleitner, star of Scarecrow and Mrs. King, in 1995. They had a son, Michael, and Gilbert became stepmother to Boxleitner's two sons from a previous marriage. After 16 years, the couple grew apart and divorced in 2011, citing irreconcilable differences.
In 2013, Gilbert married Timothy Busfield, known for Thirtysomething and The West Wing. They have remained together, but their marriage has faced a major challenge: Busfield was arrested in January 2026 and indicted on four counts of criminal contact with a minor, related to his work on The Cleaning Lady. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set for May 2027. Gilbert has publicly supported him, saying, "Our life as we knew it is done. We are grieving what we had."
Boyfriends Before and Between
Before her marriages, Gilbert had a notable dating history. Her longest relationship was with Rob Lowe, spanning from 1981 to 1987. They were engaged, and Gilbert became pregnant, but Lowe wasn't ready to be a father, leading to a breakup and a subsequent miscarriage. Gilbert later reflected, "I was such a baby when Rob and I were together. I was 17 and we broke up for the last time when we were 23 and it was very tumultuous."
She also briefly dated Tom Cruise in 1982, before he became a superstar. Gilbert recalled making out with him in her mother's living room, describing him as "nice, funny, and sweet." Other notable romances included Billy Idol in 1986, John Cusack in 1983, and Timothy Hutton in 1982. Gilbert also had a relationship with Thierry Gauchet in 2011-2012, shortly after her divorce from Boxleitner.
Impact and Reflection
Gilbert's personal life has often overshadowed her acting career, but she has been open about her experiences in memoirs and interviews. Her three marriages and numerous relationships have shaped her life, and she continues to stand by her current husband amid his legal woes. As she once said, "I guess looking back on those six years, I mean, I was such a baby when Rob and I were together."
