Erin from ‘The Waltons’ Is ‘Timeless’ at 62 — She Claimed Her Breast Implants Caused Daughter’s ‘Disabilities’

• Erin Walton from "The Waltons" looks great at 62!
• Actress Mary McDonough had health problems because of her implants that caused the "disabilities" of her daughter.
• Now she has another family life after the series.

Former child star Mary McDonough is best known for her portrayal of Erin Walton in the drama series, "The Waltons," which ran from 1972 to 1981.

The CBS show ran for nine seasons overall, and the actress starred in it since she was ten years old. McDonough practically grew up through the series' span.

It has been four decades since "The Waltons'" last episode aired, but fans of the beloved television show have been able to reminisce with its reruns.

Sadly, after the series ended, McDonough was left broke. In an April 2016 interview, she spoke frankly about her trials and tribulations during that period:

"[..] I started over. So, when I worked as a waitress or bartender, people always said, 'Why are you doing this? You don't have to work again.'"

It turns out McDonough and fellow cast members who played kids on "The Waltons" were the least paid out of other co-stars. She explained:

"The company we worked for was cheap. There were five adults who were making ok money, and we were just the kids, so we didn't make very much money."

Despite being paid peanuts, being on set was a delightful experience for McDonough. She described her and her fellow co-stars as a "real family." They became a tight-knit group and often spent time together.

The Hollywood stars even attended each other's life events such as "weddings, kids birthdays and unfortunately funerals at times," she disclosed. McDonough and some cast members also met five times yearly to have dinner.

In addition, after her stint on "The Waltons," the Los Angeles native traded her acting career to become a writer. One of her successful books is "Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane," which became a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie of the same name. McDonough also had a supporting role in the film.

Besides being a writer, the "Midnight Offerings" star founded In the Know, an advocacy organization focusing on women's health.

Erin Walton Looks Happy at 62 after Health Problems That Caused "Disabilities" of Her Daughter

While rising as a child star, McDonough conformed to Hollywood norms by getting breast implants, and when asked during an April 2016 interview what made her decide to get them, she answered:

"I was trying to be successful as an actress. [..] It was the 'Dallas' era, big hair, big breasts, so I thought in order to compete in the industry that I want to work in, I had to fit in."

McDonough further revealed all her pals went under the knife for breast implants, and she, too, decided to try them out. Unfortunately, a "rash" developed on her back just a day after the procedure.

In the next ten years, the "Snowballing" star's health worsened, and she was ultimately diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, lupus. McDonough shared that she believes the silicone caused the disease and explained:

“[..] The FDA's scientists have their studies which started to link auto-immune diseases to the implants. I was a very, very healthy girl. I got implants; I got sick.[..] I got them out, and I started to get better."

McDonough also expressed she believes her only child, daughter Sydnee Wickstrom, whom she welcomed with her first former husband, Rob Wickstrom, had developed health issues because of the implants.

"She has had different disabilities and problems with her health throughout her childhood. [...]There's no implant to go in and remove from the kid, so it's very scary," said the mother of one.

Since the experience, McDonough has done some self-introspection about why she had implants, to begin with, and realized they could not be the answer to the void she was trying to fill. Nonetheless, she has come out victorious and is in good health.

The TV star turned 62 on May 4, 2023, and thanked her Facebook followers for the well wishes. "You all are so kind to me. I appreciate all of you SO much!"

A month before, on April 30, 2023, McDonough posted a selfie with an identified woman, and the pair posed while widely smiling for the snapshot. She wore a purple sweater and had her parted hair worn down.

Fans commented on the post and raved about her beauty. "Mary, you are as beautiful now as when I fell in love with you as Erin on 'The Waltons.' You're timeless," said one user. While another stated, "Mary, you are absolutely beautiful."

McDonough Reveals Her Current Life with Her Beloved Man

Years after her health issues, McDonough relishes spending time in the kitchen. On August 29, 2020, she showed off her baking skills and posted a photo of Challah rolls, saying she was making them for that day.

The "Heaven Sent" star also enjoys cooking. On May 1, 2019, she shared a photo of her in the kitchen wearing an apron and captioned the post, "Making dinner with my sister, Kami, to surprise Mama Michael for her birthday celebration."

The movie star likes spending time with her daughter too. She posted a selfie of them beaming on Instagram on January 13, 2019.

One follower commented, "Your daughter is gorgeous. She looks like her mama." While another person penned, "You are still lovely."

McDonough is also happily married after walking down the aisle twice. Seven years after "The Waltons" ended, she wed her first spouse, actor Rob, in 1988. The two met at an acting class in Hollywood, and sparks flew instantly.

They married a year after they met and had the whole cast from "The Waltons" in attendance – at the 350-guest ceremony. However, a few years into their union, McDonough's lupus started causing her chronic pain. Moreover, her husband changed his career as he became a writer, leaving her with financial responsibilities.

Those two factors significantly affected McDonough, putting her marriage with Rob at risk of falling apart. As a result, she became a different person because of health issues leading to the demise of their union in 1996.

Fifteen years after divorcing Rob, the "Funland" star found love at age 50 with Don, her second husband. The couple got hitched in 2011 and have been married ever since.

McDonough loves spending time with her spouse. On February 16, 2019, she posted a picture of them cozied up and called him her "love."

During a December 2015 interview, she described what home is for her after relocating to Colorado when Don received a job offer in another state.

McDonough said, "Family is what you make of it. It's not necessarily the people you're born into. [..] For me, home is wherever Don and I are. It's redefined my whole definition of home."

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