• Faith: Christian
• Career: Actress
• Birthday:  August 23, 1931

With a career spanning over six decades, Barbara Eden, best known for her iconic role as Jeannie in the hit sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie," is a beloved figure in Hollywood.

Barbara Eden was born Barbara Jean Morehead on August 23, 1931, in Tucson, Arizona. Her parents, Alice Mary and Hubert Henry Morehead, divorced when Eden was a young child, and she moved to San Francisco with her mother. Growing up in the midst of the Great Depression, Eden’s early life was marked by financial hardship. Despite the challenges, Eden found joy in music and performance.

Her mother, a fan of singing, encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Eden took voice lessons and sang in her church choir, which helped develop her love for performing. Her mother remarried, and the family found more stability, but Eden’s desire to entertain grew stronger as she entered her teenage years.

By the time she was in high school, Eden was performing in local clubs and school productions. She attended City College of San Francisco, where she studied music and drama. Her big break came when she moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s, determined to pursue a career in Hollywood.

Barbara Eden’s early acting career began with small roles in television shows and movies. She appeared in a variety of television series during the 1950s, including "I Love Lucy," "Perry Mason," and "Gunsmoke." Her beauty and charm caught the attention of producers, leading to more substantial roles.

However, it wasn’t until 1965 that Eden landed the role that would define her career: Jeannie in "I Dream of Jeannie." The sitcom, created by Sidney Sheldon, revolved around an astronaut (played by Larry Hagman) who discovers a 2,000-year-old genie (Eden) in a bottle. The series became an instant hit, and Eden’s portrayal of the mischievous but loveable Jeannie made her a household name. "I Dream of Jeannie" ran for five seasons from 1965 to 1970, and Eden became one of the most recognizable stars on television.

Although Eden’s career was often linked to her role as Jeannie, she demonstrated her versatility in various other projects. In 1980, she starred in the television adaptation of "Harper Valley PTA," based on the hit country song. The show was a success and further cemented her status as a leading actress.

Over the years, Eden appeared in numerous films and television movies, including "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1961), "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm" (1962), and "The Brass Bottle" (1964), the latter of which is said to have influenced the creation of "I Dream of Jeannie." Her performance in "The Brass Bottle" helped showcase her comedic talents, which would become a defining feature of her role as Jeannie.

Barbara Eden’s personal life has seen its share of ups and downs, particularly when it comes to her marriages and family life. She has been married three times, each relationship marking different stages of her life and career.

In 1958, Eden married actor Michael Ansara. Their marriage lasted 16 years, during which they welcomed their only son, Matthew Ansara, in 1965. Eden and Ansara’s marriage was a blend of Hollywood glamour and the pressures of maintaining a public profile. Despite their love for one another, the couple eventually divorced in 1974.

Eden’s second marriage was to Chicago Sun-Times executive Charles Fegert in 1977. Unfortunately, this marriage was also short-lived, ending in divorce in 1982. Eden has been candid about the difficulties she faced in her marriages, including the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life.

In 1991, Eden married real estate developer Jon Eicholtz, with whom she has enjoyed a long and stable relationship. Their bond has provided Eden with much-needed support, particularly during the most painful chapter of her life: the loss of her son.

The most devastating moment in Barbara Eden’s life came in 2001 when her son, Matthew Ansara, died of a drug overdose at the age of 35. Matthew had struggled with addiction for many years, and despite Eden’s efforts to help him, his battle with drugs ultimately ended in tragedy.

Matthew Ansara, an aspiring actor and bodybuilder, was found dead in his car from a heroin overdose. His death came as a shock to Eden, who had supported him through rehab and believed he was on the road to recovery. The loss of her only son plunged Eden into a deep emotional breakdown, and she later described the period as one of the darkest times of her life.

Eden has spoken openly about the grief and heartache she experienced in the years following Matthew’s death. In her memoir *Jeannie Out of the Bottle*, she recounts the anguish of losing her son and the difficult process of healing from such a profound loss.

Barbara Eden's Religious Beliefs

Eden has described herself as a Christian and has spoken about the role her faith has played in helping her navigate life’s challenges.

Eden’s upbringing in a Christian household instilled in her a sense of faith from an early age. Over the years, she has maintained a belief in God and credits her faith with helping her through the loss of her son. In interviews, she has mentioned the importance of prayer and meditation in her life, and how her spirituality has helped her find peace amid grief.

Eden’s faith is a private yet integral part of her life, and while she does not speak about it publicly as often as some might expect, it is clear that it has provided her with a strong foundation. She believes that her son, Matthew, is at peace and that they will be reunited in heaven one day—a belief that has given her comfort in the years since his passing.