How Many Houses Does Melissa Gilbert Own

Let’s be honest, when you hear the name Melissa Gilbert, you probably picture her as Laura Ingalls Wilder, that pigtailed pioneer girl running across the prairie in a calico dress. You know, the one who faced blizzards, droughts, and the terrifying glare of Nellie Oleson. But here’s the real question that keeps me up at night: how many houses does that pioneer woman own today?

Because, let’s face it, if anyone knows about homesteading, it’s her. But her real estate portfolio isn’t a simple log cabin on the Kansas plains. Oh no, my friend, it’s a lot more complicated—and a lot more modern—than hauling water from a well.

The Short Answer: It’s Not a Big Prairie Empire

So, after some serious internet detective work (which is just a fancy way of saying I Googled for fifteen minutes while eating cold pizza), the answer is: Melissa Gilbert currently owns two houses. Yes, two. Not a mansion compound, not a castle in the Scottish highlands, not a secret island.

Just two. And one of them she’s actively trying to sell. I know, right? It’s almost disappointingly normal. You’d think after surviving Half-Pint levels of drama, she’d own at least a small city.

The First House: The One She’s Letting Go

First up is her place in Los Angeles, specifically in the cozy, tree-lined neighborhood of Sherman Oaks. This isn’t some sprawling Beverly Hills estate with a bowling alley. It’s a 1920s Spanish-style bungalow that looks like it could have been the set of a quirky indie movie. She put it on the market for about $1.5 million a while back.

Imagine owning a house where you’ve probably hosted a thousand dinner parties, cried over a few auditions, and watched your kids grow up. Then one day, you look around and think, “Okay, time to simplify.” It’s like when you finally toss that weird T-shirt you’ve had since college. Liberating, but a little sad.

Little House star Melissa Gilbert says she has ditched Hollywood for

She even said in interviews that the house felt too big after her kids moved out. Yes, even a former TV star deals with the “empty nest” blues. She’s just dealing with a nest that has a nicer kitchen and, presumably, fewer carpet stains.

The Second House: The True Homestead

Now, this is where it gets good. Her other house? It’s a farmhouse in upstate New York, near the Catskill Mountains. And I don’t mean a “farmhouse” with a fancy copper sink and a fridge that costs more than my car. I mean a real farmhouse, with creaky floors, a wood-burning stove, and about 35 acres of land. She moved there full-time with her husband, actor Timothy Busfield.

She’s actually living the Laura Ingalls dream, but with running water and electricity. She grows vegetables, keeps chickens, and bakes bread. I’m pretty sure she’s got a sourdough starter named “Betsy.” It’s the ultimate “I’m done with Hollywood” move. You know that fantasy you have of ditching your commute, buying a pair of overalls, and living off the grid? She did it.

And here’s the funny part: she doesn’t even call it a second home. She calls it home, period. The LA house was just a professional obligation, like a suit you wear to a wedding then immediately unbutton. The farmhouse is her sweatpants.

Inside Melissa Gilbert & Her 3rd Husband's Michigan Home with 'The Best

Why This Matters (Even If You’re Broke Like Me)

I love that Melissa Gilbert owns exactly two houses. Why? Because it feels human. It’s not greedy. It’s the real estate equivalent of ordering a medium coffee instead of a venti with extra shots. She could afford a dozen mansions, but she chose a bungalow and a farm.

It reminds us that even people who lived through the “Little House” era of TV (which was basically the 1800s with better lighting) eventually want what we all want: a place that feels like you. A spot where you can leave your shoes by the door and not worry about the neighbors complaining about your chicken coop.

So, the next time you’re scrolling Zillow and dreaming of owning even one house, remember Melissa Gilbert. She traded the bright lights for a wood stove, and she’s only got two front doors to polish. Pretty smart, if you ask me. And way less stressful than a wagon train.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check if my apartment has any leftover pizza. That’s my kind of homesteading.