Melissa Sue Anderson's 2 Children: All About theLittle House on the PrairieStar's Daughter Piper and Son Griffin

Mar. 15, 2025

Melissa Sue Anderson poses during a photocall on June 15, 2024 in Monaco ; Melissa Sue Anderson smiles with her daughter Piper Sloan in September 2014.Photo:VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty ; Melissa Sue Anderson/ Facebook

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty ; Melissa Sue Anderson/ Facebook

Life afterLittle House on the Prairiehas been all about family forMelissa Sue Anderson.

The actress, best known for her role as Mary Ingalls on the classic family show, shares two children with her husband Michael Sloan: daughter Piper and son Griffin.

Anderson told PEOPLE in 1998 that besides the occasional appearance on Sloan’s projects, she was retired. The actress said, “I really don’t feel like I’m missing anything,” and added: “It’s a lot of work just taking care of the kids.”

Sloan has also celebrated his wife’s parenting, telling PEOPLE, “She’s wonderful with the kids. She’s constantly driving Piper to tennis lessons and piano lessons.”

As Piper and Griffin got older, Anderson made occasional appearances on-screen, returning to acting in 2006 with the NBC miniseries10.5: Apocalypse.She also published her memoir,The Way I See It, in 2010, which offered fans a glimpse into her life beyondLittle Houseand detailed why she opted to put her career on hold to focus on her family.

Here is everything to know about Melissa Sue Anderson’s two children: Piper and Griffin.

Piper Sloan Harmon

Melissa Sue Anderson smiles with her daughter Piper Sloan in September 2014.Melissa Sue Anderson/ Facebook

Melissa Sue Anderson/ Facebook

Anderson and Sloan welcomed their daughter Piper around 1991. The following year, the new mom toldThe Toronto Starin 1992 that she “wouldn’t discourage” but also “wouldn’t encourage” her daughter to pursue acting.

Although she keeps a relatively private life, Piper has shared some personal moments on X and has been featured on Anderson’s social media accounts as well. In 2014, the proud mom posted a photo of herself and Piper enjoying a trip together.

“#tbt to a great weekend at the Genesee Country Village & Museum last month with my beautiful daughter Piper!” she wrote onFacebook.

Piper married husband Jeb Harmon in October 2016, and she has shared snippets of their life together. For their second wedding anniversary, Piper posted a photo from their nuptialson Xand wrote, “Can’t believe this was 2 years ago already.”

Michael Sloan and Melissa Sue Anderson in August 1993.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch

Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch

She and Jeb have beentogether since February 2012and have gone on many adventures through the years. Piper has shared moments from vacations, ball games and more on X, and even documentedtheir engagementin August 2015.

Piper holds a master’s degree in international communication from American University and has built a career in the nonprofit sector, specializing in managing and expanding educational programs, according to herLinkedIn.

Currently, Piper serves as the senior manager of hematology recruitment and retention at the American Society of Hematology (also known as the ASH). She also uses her social media to promote various causes she participates in, most notablythe NYC Lymphoma Walk.

Griffin Sloan

Melissa Sue Anderson’s son Griff Sloan at his college graduation in May 2017.Melissa Sue Anderson/ X

Melissa Sue Anderson/ X

Anderson and Sloan welcomed their second child, a son named Griffin, around 1996.

The couple’s son is actively pursuing law. According to hisLinkedIn profile, he holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from New York University, where he studied from 2014 to 2017.

Directly after completing his undergraduate degree, Griffin attended Cardozo School of Law, where he earned his law degree in 2020. Currently, Griffin is a litigation associate at Stein Adler Dabah & Zelkowitz LLP.

Though he has kept a low public profile, Griffin occasionally makes appearances on his mom’s social media. After he graduated in 2017, Anderson posted a picture of her sonon Xin his cap and gown, captioning the photo, “Griff the graduate.”

source: people.com