Barbara Eden Met Widower Who Cared for Her after Marriage to 'Aggressive' Man & Became Her Lasting Love at 60 (2024)

Barbara Eden has been through a lot, including two failed marriages and the deaths of two children. However, after everything, the actress seems to have found happiness in her third husband. The pair has been married for over three decades and continue to inspire many people. Here are the details of Eden's life.

Actress, Singer, and Producer Barbara Eden has come a long way in movies and television shows, etching her notch in Hollywood. In addition to her exciting career spanning decades, the movie star has had a magical love life.

At 91, Eden has been married thrice, with every marriage substantially affecting her. The actress first tied the knot with Michael Ansara. Like Eden, Ansara was a man in Hollywood and a sex symbol.

American actors Michael Ansara and Barbara Eden at the premiere of director Basil Deardon's film 'Khartoum'. | Source: Getty Images

The stage and screen actor was tall, dark, brown-eyed, and had a profound aura of masculinity. He and Eden first met in 1958, and that same year, the pair got engaged and married. In "Jeannie Out of the Bottle," the actress's autobiography, Eden recalled how Ansara proposed.

According to her, one afternoon, the actor showed up unannounced on the set of "How to Marry a Millionaire." Upon arrival, Ansara kissed Eden and handed her a white paper bag.

The actress recalled being excited and thinking the bag's content was candy. But when she searched the bag, she found a diamond engagement ring. Eden was pleased and accepted the proposal.

Barbara Eden was pictured smiling with her son Matthew Michael Ansara. | Source: Getty Images

A few months later, the pair exchanged wedding vows. Seven years later, in August 1965, the couple welcomed their only child, Matthew. Speaking about her son in her autobiography, Eden wrote:

Michael Ansara as Biff Jellico and Barbara Eden as Jeannie in "My Sister the Home Wrecker." | Source: Getty Images

Everything seemed like a fairytale for Eden with a son and a loving husband, but it was only a matter of time before things changed.

Tragedy Befalls Eden and Her Husband

After welcoming their son, Matthew, the actress took in again. It was good news for Eden and Ansara, who were ready to become parents to two.

Barbara Eden appearing in the ABC tv movie 'Guess Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?'. | Source: Getty Images

During the pregnancy, the actress visited the hospital as scheduled, and the doctors assured her the baby was doing well. But, with time, Eden began to feel unwell, but the doctors convinced her everything was okay. But unfortunately, it turned out that the movie star had been carrying a dead baby, as she would have a stillbirth.

According to Eden, the baby died in the seventh month, which remained unknown until the child was born. Losing the child sent the actress's life into a downward spiral. She almost lost her mind and eventually developed depression.

Michael Ansara appeared in the ABC tv series 'Nakia' episode 'The Dream.' | Source: Getty Images

To make matters worse, Eden did not have much support from her husband, which significantly affected their marriage. With time, the depression ate deeper into the actress, and she and her husband grew further apart.

Eventually, Eden asked for a divorce. In her autobiography, she noted that her request made Ansara angry. According to Eden, the actor did not want a divorce, as he insisted on being happy with his wife.

Barbara Eden appearing in the ABC tv movie 'The Stranger Within.' | Source: Getty Images

However, the actress said she was in a dark pit and needed to end her marriage. So, on May 28, 1973, the pair went their separate ways after 15 years of being together.

Eden Finds Love Again

Following her failed marriage, Eden found love again in the hands of another Hollywood man, Charles Donald Fegert. The pair first met in 1974, and within a few minutes of their first encounter, Eden said his personality began to "grate" on her. According to the actress, her interest in the marketing executive further dropped when he screamed:

Barbara Eden and reporter Charles Fegert being photographed on March 26, 1976, at Chasen's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

The actress described Fegert as "rude and aggressive," and one could tell from the disgust on her face that she wanted nothing to do with him. However, with time, Fegert warmed his way into Eden's heart.

Coupled with his good looks and obvious masculinity, the marketing executive knew how to woo a lady. He kept sending flowers and frequently calling the actress. Eventually, Eden let her guard down.

Barbara Eden and reporter Charles Fegert being photographed on March 26, 1976, at Chasen's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

The Hollywood star noted that she was a lonely divorced mother, and Fegert made her feel better and important, hence her decision to let him into her life. In 1977, three years after they started dating, Eden and her second husband tied the knot.

Following their wedding, Fegert thought he would give Eden the support and care she needed. But sadly, it did not work out. After five years of marriage, the former couple's union ended in 1982.

The Third Time's the Charm for Eden

After experiencing two failed marriages, Eden didn't look for love again, as she was already in her late 50s. However, fate had other plans for the actress. She would later meet Jon Eicholtz, a structural engineer and real estate developer.

Jon Eicholtz and actress Barbara Eden attend the 'Memories of Midnight' book party at Bistro Restaurant, Beverly Hills, California, October 2, 1991. | Source: Getty Images

The starlet noted that her friend had told her about Eicholtz after she and her husband had dinner next to the engineer, whom they thought was wonderful.

After hearing about her future husband, Eden said it took four weeks before she and Eicholtz had their first date. The actress said their first outing was a "quick dinner."

Barbara Eden and son Matthew Ansara attend the "Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony Honoring Barbara Eden with a Star" on November 17, 1988, at 7003 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Not long after the date, Eden and Eicholtz became romantically involved. Shortly after, she discovered that her man was a widower whose wife had passed away from breast cancer.

Despite the discovery, Eden didn't back out, as she experienced happiness and peace with Eicholtz for the first time in a long while. In the following months, things were going well for Eden in her relationship, but sadly, tragedy hit.

Barbara Eden and Jon Eicholtz attend the 'Broken Arrow' world premiere at Mann National Theater, Westwood, California, February 5, 1996. | Source: Getty Images

Her grown son, Matthew, started using drugs, eventually becoming addicted to them. But thankfully, the icon had a friend in Eicholtz whom she could rely on for support throughout the challenging period.

Still dealing with Matthew's addiction, Eden and Eicholtz exchanged wedding vows in 1991 in a small and quiet ceremony.

Barbara Eden Jon Eicholtz leaves the funeral service at the Forest Lawn Cemetery for her son Matthew Ansara on July 2, 2001, in Los Angeles, CA. | Source: Getty Images

Following their marriage, the love birds continued to help Matthew overcome his addiction, but sadly, on June 26, 2001, he died at 35 from a drug overdose.

Matthew's death was a huge tragedy for Eden and Eicholtz, especially the former. Thankfully, the engineer was by his wife's side and helped her cope, which Eden remained grateful for. In her words:

Over twenty years after Matthew's demise, the couple is still together, stronger than ever. On January 5, 2023, Eden and Eicholtz celebrated 32 years of marital bliss.

For the actress, one secret to a long-lasting marriage is the willingness to choose one's partner over oneself.

For example, she watches sports with her husband because she adores him, even though it might not be her favorite thing to watch. Overall, after everything Eden has gone through, it is great to see her enjoying peace and happiness.