Melissa Sue Anderson, born on September 26, 1962, gained fame as Mary Ingalls in the TV series “Little House on the Prairie” during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her net worth, last estimated at $1.5 million in late 2018, reflects a successful career in film and television. Born in Berkeley, California, she moved to Los Angeles at a young age. After her parents’ divorce, she was primarily raised by her Roman Catholic mother. Encouraged by a teacher, she entered the entertainment industry, featuring in ads and making early TV appearances.

Anderson’s significant role in “Little House on the Prairie” spanned eight years. Post the series, she earned a nomination for “Happy Birthday to Me” and appeared in diverse shows like “The Equalizer” and “Murder, She Wrote.” Her later career included limited acting, with notable roles in the 2006 miniseries “10.5 Apocalypse” and an uncredited appearance in “Veronica Mars.” Anderson’s autobiography, “The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House,” provides insights into her experiences as a child star, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of the cast and crew.