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.

Liam Payne: Former One Direction star dies in Argentina

Tributes have been pouring in for the 31-year-old singer who fell from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires.

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.

The 31-year-old singer suffered “extremely serious injuries” after falling from the third floor at the hotel in the capital Buenos Aires, police said.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne, who had a seven-year-old son with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the city’s Palermo neighbourhood.

The official declined to answer questions about how he came to fall from the balcony.

Mr Crescenti said authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting a post-mortem.

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.673.0_en.html#goog_1364029489Play Video – Liam Payne dies: Sky’s Martha Kelner reportsLiam Payne dies: Sky’s Martha Kelner reports

Pic: Liam Payne on the X Factor in 2010. Pic: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/Shutterstock

'The X Factor' Live Show, TV Programme, London, Britain - 23 Oct 2010
One Direction - Liam Payne

23 Oct 2010
Image:Liam Payne on the X Factor in 2010. Pic: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/Shutterstock

Meanwhile, a transcript has been released of the emergency call the hotel desk manager made to 911 after the fall.

The hotel manager is heard saying he has a “guest drunk with drugs and alcohol”, adding: “He is breaking everything in the room.”

He later tells the operator they “need to send someone with urgency because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger because he is in a room with a balcony”.

The hotel manager continues: “We are afraid he could do something that threatens life.”

The 911 operator says the police and emergency medical workers have been sent to the scene.

Argentinian media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan earlier this month.

Fans flocked to the hotel after news of Payne’s death broke, with many expressing shock and heartbreak.

One Direction fans from across the world have also been sharing poignant tributes to Payne on social media.

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https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.673.0_en.html#goog_735978003Play Video – Fans hold a vigil for Liam Payne outside hotelFans hold a vigil for Liam Payne outside hotel

Liam Payne post on his snapchat
Image:Payne posted on Snapchat in the hours before his death

In the hours before his death, photos shared from the singer’s Snapchat account showed him with his partner Kate Cassidy.

There was also clips, including one where he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.

It appears the videos were filmed earlier in the week and then posted in his final hours.

“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”

Image:In one of Payne’s final Snapchat posts, he shared a photo of himself with partner Kate Cassidy

The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”

“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.

Payne had embarked on a solo career after One Direction announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus in 2015.

Pic: Snapchat/Liam Payne
Image:Payne posted on Snapchat with Horan. Pic: Snapchat/Liam Payne
FILE -  One Direction's Liam Payne, second from right, poses for a photo with fellow band members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Liam Tomlinson at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London, Sept. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Jonathan Short, File)
Image:Payne (second right) with his One Direction bandmates in 2011. Pic: AP

The band was formed on The X Factor in 2010, with Payne featuring alongside Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Harry Styles. They were mentored by Simon Cowell who had also created the show.

The group finished third before signing with Cowell’s “Syco” record label and going on to become one of the best-selling boybands of all time.

Payne’s relationship with Cheryl, who was a judge on the X Factor, began in 2016 and ended in 2018. They named their son Bear.

Britain’s Got Talent, another show created by Cowell, has cancelled its auditions in Blackpool today in light of Payne’s death.

Payne has a son called Bear from his previous relationship with singer Cheryl, who was a judge on X Factor
Image:Payne with his son Bear
Cheryl and Liam Payne arrive at the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, February 21, 2018. Pic: Reuters/Eddie Keogh
Image:Liam Payne and Cheryl in 2018. Pic: Reuters

It comes as tributes from the entertainment industry have been pouring in for Payne since news of the tragedy emerged.

In a post from its official X account, the team at the X Factor wrote: “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.

“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.”

Separately, Dermot O’Leary, a former host of the show, posted a photo of himself and Payne on Instagram, writing: “The worst news. I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.”

One Direction playing on The X Factor Live Show in 2010. Pic: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/Shutterstock
Image:One Direction performing on The X Factor in 2010. Pic: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/Shutterstock

TV presenter Rylan Clark, a former X Factor contestant, said: “Extremely sad news. (Very) tragic and so young. RIP Liam.”

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Hip hop icon Flavor Flav, boxer Chris Eubank Jr and former Cultural Club singer Boy George are also among those who have paid tribute.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also offered his condolences, with his official spokesman saying: “The Prime Minister’s sincere condolences are with Liam’s family and friends at this time.

“One Direction were one of the biggest bands in history and their music had a huge impact on many millions of fans around the world.”

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has been found dead in Argentina.

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https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.673.0_en.html#goog_1746462811Play Video – Liam Payne’s X Factor auditionLiam Payne’s X Factor audition

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, had a complicated personal life and spoken openly about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health. He was also diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.

He had previously spoken about suffering with suicidal thoughts, admitting that he was “lucky to still be here”.

In 2019, Payne addressed his mental health on Sky show Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he spoke about his struggles with fame.

Describing fame as like “having a weird midlife crisis”, Payne said: “For some certain circumstances, I’m quite lucky to be here still.”

Since October 2022, Payne has been linked to influencer Cassidy, recently posting on Instagram that they “make each other better people”, and adding: “For the first time in my life I’m happy to be me and that’s priceless.”

He was previously engaged to Maya Henry, with their relationship ending in 2022.

Earlier this week, it was reported she had issued legal proceedings – instructing lawyers to issue a cease and desist letter to Payne – and she posted a video on TikTok claiming the singer had been repeatedly sending her unwanted messages.

Last week, the Sun reported Payne had parted with his management company and shelved plans for a second solo album.

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