In a revealing podcast interview, Melissa Gilbert opened up about her tumultuous six-year relationship with Rob Lowe, sharing how his sudden fame and the intense fandom surrounding him led to emotional challenges that taught her valuable lessons about self-worth and boundaries, ultimately shaping her into a more resilient person today.

In a candid discussion on the latest episode of the “I Choose Me” podcast, Melissa Gilbert, the beloved star of “Little House on the Prairie,” reflected on her tumultuous six-year relationship with actor Rob Lowe, revealing the personal challenges she faced as they navigated fame in the 1980s.

The episode, which aired on July 30, 2025, featured Gilbert, now 61, sharing her insights with host Jennie Garth about the lessons learned from her early romance with Lowe, who rose to stardom following his breakout role in Francis Ford Coppola’s film “The Outsiders” in 1983.

Gilbert began by reminiscing about her youthful naivety during their relationship, which started when she was just 17 years old.

“I guess looking back on those six years, I mean, I was such a baby when Rob and I were together,” she said, noting that they broke up for the final time when she was 23.

The couple’s romance, while filled with memorable moments, was overshadowed by the pressures of fame and the unexpected challenges that came with it.

As Lowe’s career skyrocketed, Gilbert found herself grappling with the intense fandom surrounding him. “I don’t think I was prepared for the stuff that came with it, necessarily,” she admitted.

While she was ready for the glitz of premieres and award shows, the reality of being in a relationship with a rising star was more complicated.

“I wasn’t prepared for the fandom and frankly, the girls,” she remarked, highlighting the difficulties of feeling overshadowed by the attention Lowe received.

Initially, Gilbert approached other women with a sense of camaraderie, believing they were all “sisters.” However, her perspective quickly changed as she experienced the harsh realities of being in a high-profile relationship.

“It was like I didn’t exist,” she recalled, describing how other girls would push past her to get to Lowe, often slipping their phone numbers into his pockets.

“To say it was disconcerting is doing it a big disservice,” she continued, reflecting on the emotional toll it took on her.

The relationship, which ended in 1987, was marked by heartbreak and angst, but also by valuable lessons about her own boundaries and self-worth.

Despite the difficulties, Gilbert acknowledged that their time together included joyful moments. “We had some really, really, really fun times,” she shared, emphasizing that the lessons learned were often born from painful experiences.

She expressed gratitude for the insight gained from the relationship, stating, “I think I learned a lot about what didn’t work for me, actually, and what I wouldn’t stand for later on.”

Looking back on her life now, Gilbert feels a sense of ease that contrasts sharply with her earlier experiences.

“I look at the way my life is so easeful now and I look back then, and I feel like my shoulders were always up by my ears, always waiting for the next shoe to drop or something bad to happen,” she reflected.

This newfound tranquility is a stark reminder of the emotional turbulence she once endured.

Following her relationship with Lowe, Gilbert married Bo Brinkman in 1988, but their marriage ended in 1994. She then married actor Bruce Boxleitner in 1995, a union that lasted until their divorce in 2011.

Since 2013, she has been happily married to Timothy Busfield, with whom she has built a life filled with love and stability.

As Gilbert continues to share her journey, her reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities of love and fame, particularly for those who find themselves in the public eye.

Her candidness about the struggles she faced with Lowe resonates with many who have experienced the challenges of navigating relationships amidst the pressures of celebrity culture.

As she embraces her present, Gilbert remains grateful for the lessons learned from her past, ultimately shaping her into the person she is today.