Nellie Oleson was the definition of a troublemaker on Little House on the Prairie. She made life miserable for just about everyone she came into contact with, especially Laura and the Ingalls family. Here are 12 of Nellie’s nastiest moments that still have us shaking our heads:
1. Tricking Laura Into Thinking She Was Paralyzed
One of Nellie’s earliest and most twisted pranks was when she pretended to be paralyzed after falling from a horse. She made Laura feel responsible for her “injury,” only to reveal it was all a lie. The cruelty of this move was shocking for anyone watching.
2. Making Fun of Laura’s “Ugly” Dress
Nellie had no filter, especially when it came to pointing out Laura’s “ugly” homemade dresses. She took pleasure in belittling Laura and making her feel inferior, often mocking her for not being as wealthy or fashionable as she was.
3. Driving a Wedge Between Laura and Mary
Nellie was a master at causing drama. She often tried to create tension between Laura and Mary, whether it was through competition or manipulation. She loved seeing the sisters fight, especially when she could be the one to stir the pot.
4. Pretending to Be in Love with Almanzo
When Laura started developing feelings for Almanzo Wilder, Nellie did everything she could to steal him away. She flirted with him just to get under Laura’s skin, even though she didn’t really have any genuine interest in him.
5. Mocking Mary After She Went Blind
When Mary went blind, Nellie showed her true lack of compassion. Instead of offering any support, she mocked Mary’s condition and treated her like she was less of a person. This was one of Nellie’s lowest points, showing just how little empathy she had.
6. Sending a Letter to Almanzo Pretending to Be Laura
In one of her most spiteful acts, Nellie sent a letter to Almanzo pretending to be Laura, hoping to confuse him and make him fall for her instead. It was a cruel, manipulative move, and it worked for a while, causing trouble in Laura’s relationship.
7. Making a Mockery of Laura’s Friendship with Andy
Nellie wasn’t just mean to Laura’s family—she was also cruel to her friends. She tricked Andy into marrying her in a mock ceremony, just to make Laura feel left out and humiliated. This was classic Nellie, using her wealth and status to show off and hurt others.
8. Taunting Laura About Her Lack of Fashion
Nellie loved to remind everyone of her superior wardrobe. When she saw that Laura was dressed in simple clothes, she made sure to mock her, rubbing in the fact that Laura couldn’t afford to look as fancy as she did. It was just another way Nellie tried to make people feel bad about themselves.
9. Spreading Rumors About Laura
Nellie didn’t hesitate to spread lies and rumors to get Laura into trouble. She once told everyone that Laura had done something wrong at school, hoping to ruin her reputation and make her the odd one out.
10. Setting Laura Up to Get Into Trouble
Nellie was a master manipulator, and she once tricked Laura into taking the blame for something she didn’t do. Whether it was breaking something or causing a scene, Nellie would always find a way to turn the situation against Laura, knowing she could use it to her advantage.
11. Disrespecting Hester Sue
When Hester Sue became the Olesons’ cook, Nellie made sure to belittle her at every opportunity. She mocked Hester Sue’s appearance and treated her like she wasn’t “good enough” for the Oleson household, even though Hester Sue was kind and hardworking.
12. Acting Entitled When Complimented by a Stranger
Nellie didn’t know how to be gracious. When a stranger complimented her, instead of thanking them, she acted like they were beneath her. Her entitlement and arrogance were always on full display, and it made her unlikeable to everyone around her.
Nellie’s antics were the definition of mean-spirited, but that’s what made her such a memorable character. Though she had a few moments of redemption later on, these moments will always be the ones we remember as her nastiest. Which of Nellie’s evil deeds stands out to you the most?
