'Family Ties' Meredith Baxter Found Love with a Lady & Now Has 3 Grandkids - Inside Her Life after Death of Allegedly Abusive Husband

• Meredith Baxter was once the star of "Family Ties," and her personal life was just as eventful as the show.
• After three failed marriages, she finally found love again, but with a woman.
• At 75, she is now looking youthful and enjoying her time with her wife, five children, and three grandchildren.

Meredith Baxter starred as architect Elyse Keaton in "Family Ties" from 1982 to 1989. It ran for seven seasons and had a total of 176 episodes and even a television film spin-off.

Baxter was at the height of her popularity during the show's duration. Before getting the big break, she starred in the sitcom "Bridget Loves Bernie," and "Family."

However, she admitted to not having a social life throughout its run. Her life consisted of going to the TV studio and heading home right after.

When Baxter was 19 years old, in 1966, she married Robert Lewis Bush with whom she shared two children, Theodore Justin "Ted" Bush and Eva Whitney Bush.

They separated three years later in 1969, and their divorce was finalized in 1971. At one point in Baxter's career, she began dating her "Bridget Loves Bernie" co-star, David Birney.

They got married in 1974, and their marriage lasted until the end of "Family Ties" in 1989. They shared three children, Kathleen Jeanne "Kate" Birney, and twins, Peter David Edwin Birney and Mollie Elizabeth Birney.

In 1995, she married novelist Michael Blodgett. By then, she had been married thrice. Through her marriage to Blodgett, Baxter became a stepmother to three daughters from his previous marriages.

Throughout her three marriages, it was the second one that affected her the most. Baxter exposed Birney as an abusive husband and claimed that none of her "Family Ties" co-workers knew what she was going through behind the scenes.

As a result, Baxter turned to alcoholism for several years to cope with her toxic family life. She revealed all her troubles through her book, "Untied."

Baxter said she valued her own personal space when it came to work. So, she never divulged any of her personal experiences to those she met on set.

Baxter's son, Ted Bush, clarified that the abuse his mother experienced wasn't physical but rather verbal. She was made to feel like she was not valued, worthy, or responsible enough as a human being.

Birney, who has since passed away in 2022, once denied the abuse. However, Baxter fought for her truth and said the verbal and emotional abuse she experienced made her turn to alcohol to numb the pain. She once said:

"I was so caught up [in] my own hurt, and I deserved this because everything else is so horrible. I don't know what I was saying to myself, but I was so angry."

While she kept quiet, there were signs of the trauma that were left unnoticed. While filming "Family Ties" with her on-screen husband Michael Gross once, she was backstage when Gross mentioned that Birney was headed home from Europe soon.

Baxter burst into tears, and Gross assumed it was because she missed her husband. Little did he know, it was because she feared her husband, and dreaded that he was already going home.

It was then that Baxter finally released the tension she was feeling towards her husband to another person. Gross was all ears and was stunned because Baxter and Birney had been the poster child for a healthy Hollywood marriage.

When they divorced, the couple had a heated custody battle over their children. Birney accused Baxter of making up the assault story to gain custody of their three kids.

Ultimately, Baxter and Birney shared custody of their kids until they headed to college. It hadn't been easy, and Baxter's anger sometimes reflected on her relationship with her children.

She admitted to using her kids as pawns, letting them hear bad things about their father, and drowning herself in self-pity around them. In fact, there were even some celebrations ruined by her bitterness, like her daughter's high school graduation.

At the time, Baxter hosted a dinner party for her daughter, but when she discovered Birney was going to be in attendance, she chose not to attend.

Instead, she demanded her daughter to have another dinner with her. Looking back, Baxter reflected that she was too focused on her feud with her husband that she didn't realize the effect it had on her children.

Through the years, the actress found it in her to work amicably with Birney for the sake of their children. They met again on some occasions, including their daughter's wedding.

Baxter Found Love with a Woman

Before Baxter began dating women, the idea of being gay never crossed her mind. Instead, she struggled with her own identity, claiming she was never ever comfortable with herself.

A friend of Locke's gave her Baxter's phone number as a "sober coach," without her knowing that it belonged to the actress.

Baxter had been dating, but the trauma she endured from her previous relationships always left her guarded. She had her walls up every time she got close to someone in fear that what happened in the past would happen again.

When she realized she enjoyed the company of women, the actress also feared how it would affect her career in case she decided to let her true colors show. It took her years until she finally decided she was willing to tell her story.

Baxter met building contractor Nancy Locke who changed her perspective on dating. For the first time in her life, Baxter claimed their relationship has made her feel honest with herself.

Baxter first met Locke when the actress was called in as a "sober coach" for the contractor. A friend of Locke's gave her Baxter's phone number as a "sober coach," without her knowing that it belonged to the actress.

"She didn't give me a last name," Locke said. For the next five months, she spent time pouring out her worries to "Meredith," without knowing it was actually Meredith Baxter.

By the time Baxter knew everything about Locke, she found it in her to finally end her sobriety issues. Locke didn't know anything about Baxter, because her job was more to be a listener than a speaker.

Their calls ended, until one day, Locke found herself upset that she had difficulties making new friends. The same friend who gave her Baxter's number told her to "call Meredith," and she did.

They set up a meeting at a local Starbucks near Baxter's residence. At the time, Locke realized she had no idea what Baxter looked like.

However, rather than describing herself, Baxter just insisted they met up at the Starbucks branch. When they did, Locke was shocked that it was Meredith Baxter she was meeting.

After the initial embarrassment they both felt, they began dating. They had an instant connection, and for the first time in a long time, the actress felt honest about herself.

Baxter opened up to her children about her new-found identity shortly after dating Locke. Her children were both supportive and reassuring – they were all smiles that their mother had finally discovered the key to her happiness.

Personally, Baxter couldn't be happier that her life had changed for the better. "It's hard to imagine, but even in the dark times, some wonderful things emerged: I have five beautiful children; I'm in a loving relationship now," she once gushed.

In 2013, Baxter married a fourth time. She married Locke, with whom she continues to be happily married.

Through the years, Baxter and Locke have publicly been spotted on several occasions. In one sighting, they were shopping in Montecito wearing matching white button-down tops, and pants.

More than their clothing, even the lovely couple's hairstyles matched. They sported the same grayish shade, and both kept their hair short.

Onlookers revealed that Baxter and Locke appear to be "very content" with one another. Aside from a budding marriage and a healthy relationship with her five children, Baxter is also a proud grandmother to her three grandkids, Sophia and Bella (from daughter Eva,) and Eli (from son Ted.)

Looking Great at 75

Baxter has always been a beauty icon. In 1971, she was the very first celebrity to say L'Oreal's slogan, "Because I'm Worth It."

During "Family Ties," Baxter promoted Clairol, a hair product that promoted healthy-looking hair. She also claimed Noxzema was her holy grail beauty product rather than soap, which resulted in her skin looking youthful and softer.

Back when her career was at its peak, Baxter revealed she was pressured to consider plastic surgery until she was in her forties. On "Where Are They Now," she shared the unpleasant experience she had with a producer who said she couldn't have a scene with other women who had a lift.

"Meredith, unless you get a lift, you are only going to be able to work with other women who have not had a lift," she was told. Ultimately, Baxter stood her ground and refused to have anything done.