In the early 1980s, Hollywood witnessed a whirlwind romance between two young stars, Rob Lowe and Melissa Gilbert. Their relationship began when they were just teenagers and spanned over six years, marked by intense love, frequent separations, and numerous infidelities. Despite their initial chemistry and public adoration, the couple's relationship was fraught with challenges that ultimately led to their breakup in 1987. This article delves into the highs and lows of their tumultuous journey, exploring how their youthful indiscretions and the pressures of fame contributed to the unraveling of their once-promising romance.

A Look Back at the Relationship Between Two Hollywood Icons

It was during the late 1970s when the paths of Rob Lowe and Melissa Gilbert first crossed on a CBS lot. Both were only 14 at the time, but it wasn't until a few years later, in 1981, that they reconnected and embarked on an intense relationship. Gilbert, already a celebrated child star from Little House on the Prairie, found herself instantly smitten with Lowe, who was rapidly rising to stardom. However, their relationship quickly became complicated as Lowe's career skyrocketed following his role in The Outsiders.

By 1983, Lowe had become more famous than Gilbert, leading to tensions within their relationship. Gilbert's mother disapproved of Lowe, suspecting he was using her daughter for fame. Meanwhile, Lowe's growing success brought him closer to other high-profile actresses, including Demi Moore and Nastassja Kinski, with whom he reportedly had affairs. These betrayals strained their relationship further, especially when Gilbert discovered Lowe's infidelity with Kinski in Montreal in 1984.

Despite these setbacks, the couple managed to reconcile several times. However, their relationship was tested again in 1987 when Gilbert revealed she was pregnant. Lowe, unprepared for fatherhood, decided to end the relationship. The pregnancy ended in miscarriage, leaving Gilbert devastated. Reflecting on this period, both acknowledged that they were too young and inexperienced to handle the complexities of their lives in Hollywood.

Years later, both Lowe and Gilbert have expressed regret and understanding about their past. Gilbert, now married to Timothy Busfield, has found stability and happiness in her personal life. Lowe, too, has settled down with Sheryl Berkoff since 1991. Their reflections highlight the challenges of navigating young love and fame, offering valuable insights into the pitfalls of early stardom.

From a journalist's perspective, the story of Rob Lowe and Melissa Gilbert serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of young love under the spotlight. It underscores the importance of maturity and communication in relationships, especially when faced with external pressures like fame and media scrutiny. Their experiences offer a cautionary tale about the perils of rushing into serious commitments without fully understanding oneself or one's partner.