Most people know Barbara Eden as the smiling star of I Dream of Jeannie. But few know about the man she once called her husband. His name was Charles Donald Fegert.
He was not a movie star. He was a sharp advertising man from Chicago. For a short time, though, he stood right next to one of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Charles Donald Fegert lived most of his life away from cameras. He built a strong career in the newspaper world. Then he married a famous actress, and the spotlight found him.
Their love story had bright moments. It also had pain. In this article, we’ll walk through his life, his work, his marriage, and his quiet final years. Let’s get to know the real man behind the headlines.
Who Was Charles Donald Fegert?
Charles Donald Fegert was a well-known advertising and newspaper executive from Chicago. He spent years building ad campaigns and leading teams. In the business world, people knew him as a smart and confident leader.
But to the public, he is best remembered for one thing. He was the second husband of actress Barbara Eden. That marriage put his name in the news during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
He was most active and well-known during those years. He worked at a time when newspapers ruled the world of advertising. His skills made him a big deal in Chicago.
Even so, Fegert stayed a private man. He liked business more than fame. Today, his name still comes up when people talk about Barbara Eden’s life and her past loves.
His Early Life and Family
Charles Donald Fegert was born on November 8, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. The city would stay close to his heart for his whole life. He was raised there, worked there, and later passed away there too.
His parents were Charles “Moon” Fegert and Virginia A. Henold Coppinger. He also had a younger brother named Craig Lewis Fegert. Sadly, Craig died young in June 1980, at just 24 years old.
Some sources say Fegert grew up in a working-class home on Chicago’s South Side. They also say his father worked in the steel mills. These details come from only one source, so we can’t fully confirm them.
Still, a hard-working home would fit the man he became. He grew into someone with drive, charm, and strong people skills. The truth is, very little is firmly known about his earliest years. Much of his childhood stays a quiet mystery.
His Education and School Years
Fegert’s school years are not fully clear. Some reports say he went to South Shore High School in Chicago. After that, he is said to have attended Loyola University Chicago.
One source also claims he earned a business degree in 1955. That degree, if true, would have helped him step into the world of marketing and media. It would explain his early skill with sales and ads.
Here’s the honest part, though. These education details come from just one source. No other article backs them up. So it’s fair to share them, but also fair to say they are not confirmed.
This is one of the reasons Charles Donald Fegert stays a bit of a mystery. His public life is well recorded. His early, private life is not. We simply know less about how he got his start.
How Charles Donald Fegert Started His Career
Charles Donald Fegert did not begin at the top. He started small. Reports say he worked as a door-to-door advertising salesman. He knocked on doors and sold ad space, one client at a time.
That kind of work is tough. It takes patience and a thick skin. But Fegert had natural charm and a strong drive. Those two things helped him stand out fast.
He worked for two big Chicago newspapers. One was the Chicago Sun-Times. The other was the Chicago Daily News. Both were major papers in their day, with huge readerships.
As he proved himself, he took on bigger roles. He handled store and retail advertising. He also won over big-name clients. Slowly, his name became well known in Chicago’s busy business world.
Rising to the Top in Chicago
Fegert’s hard work paid off in a big way. He rose all the way to Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. That was a powerful role at a major newspaper.
In that job, he had real influence. He helped shape how ads worked in print papers. During the print era, that was a huge deal. Some called him one of the top ad men in the whole Midwest.
But his talents didn’t stop at the office. Fegert was also a skilled master of ceremonies. He hosted events and banquets all over Chicago. People loved his wit and his smooth way with words.
He was so good on stage that some compared him to entertainer Georgie Jessel. That’s high praise. It shows he could charm a boardroom and a banquet hall alike. In many ways, he stood right where business met entertainment.
How He Met Barbara Eden
Now we get to the part that made Charles Donald Fegert famous. In the mid-1970s, Barbara Eden came to Chicago to perform. Fegert met her there, and everything changed.
At the time, Eden had recently divorced her first husband, actor Michael Ansara. She was a single mother to her son, Matthew. Fegert, bold and confident as ever, was quickly drawn to her.
But their first meeting was not all sparks. In her memoir, Eden said she found him “rude and aggressive.” He came on strong, and she was not impressed right away.
Fegert did not give up, though. He courted her the old-fashioned way. He sent her flowers twice a day. Each bunch came with an embossed card marked with the letter “C,” but no note.
Little by little, Eden’s heart began to soften. His steady effort and charm slowly won her over. What began as a cold first meeting turned into a real romance.
Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden married in 1977
Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden married on September 3, 1977. The wedding took place in Long Grove, near Chicago. It brought together Hollywood glamour and Chicago high society.
After the wedding, Eden made a big change. She left Los Angeles and moved to Chicago to be with him. The long-distance travel had worn her out, so living together made sense.
The couple settled into a fancy condo. It overlooked the beautiful Chicago lakefront. One report says it cost over $250,000 and even had a mirrored Jacuzzi in the bedroom. It was a stylish home for a stylish pair.
But not everything was happy. Eden had just lost custody of her son, Matthew, to her ex-husband. Matthew wanted to stay where his friends were. Eden later said she “cried a lot” over the loss.
Fegert, meanwhile, felt sure of himself and their future. He once joked that Barbara would make a “spectacular wife” once he got her in the kitchen. He even said he had flown more than 30 times just to see her.
Why Their Marriage Ended
Sadly, the happy days did not last. In her memoir, Jeannie Out of the Bottle, Barbara Eden shared what went wrong. She said Charles Donald Fegert changed after they got married.
Eden said he began to run with a new crowd. This crowd drank a lot and used cocaine. Over time, that lifestyle pulled him away from the man she first met. The fun, charming Chuck slowly faded.
She also spoke kindly about his talents. She called him brilliant and a gifted salesman. But she said he was deeply insecure inside. She even described him as a spoiled child who always needed attention.
Then things turned darker. Eden said Fegert became abusive. That was the point where she knew she had to go. She chose to leave and protect herself.
The divorce timeline is a little unclear. One source says the marriage ended in 1982. Others say she filed in 1982 and it was final in 1983. Either way, their five-year marriage came to a sad close.
Meet His Children
Barbara Eden was not Fegert’s first wife. Reports say he had been married twice before he met her. Both of those earlier marriages had ended in divorce.
He was also a father. One source says he had a daughter and two sons. Sadly, we don’t know much about them or their lives. This detail comes from just one source, so keep that in mind.
Still, there is a sweet side to this story. After his death, his daughter remembered him warmly. She said he was a fun father and a fun grandfather. That paints a softer picture of the man.
There’s even a touching detail about his grandchildren. After he passed away, they gathered together to sing. They sang the very songs that Fegert had once taught them. It shows he left happy memories behind for his family.
His Later Years and Death
After his divorce from Barbara Eden, Charles Donald Fegert stepped back from the spotlight. The busy, public part of his life came to an end. He chose a much quieter path.
He spent his later years away from the media he once handled so well. There are no big stories from this time. He simply lived a private life, far from the fame he had briefly known.
Fegert passed away on September 25, 2002, in Chicago. He was 71 years old. Reports say he died peacefully in his sleep. His cause of death was never made public.
A couple of small details differ between sources. One article lists his death date as September 26 instead of September 25. Another claims his net worth was around $2.5 million. These points are not fully confirmed, so it’s best to treat them with care.
Today, Charles Donald Fegert is remembered in two ways. His family recalls a fun, loving man. Barbara Eden’s fans recall the Chicago executive who once shared her world.
Where Is Barbara Eden Today?
Many readers still wonder about Barbara Eden. So where is she now? At 94 years old, she is still active and full of life. She never fully stepped away from Hollywood.
After Fegert, Eden found lasting love. She married architect and real estate developer Jon Eicholtz in January 1991. They have been together ever since. She says the secret is simply enjoying each other’s company.
Her life has also held deep loss. In 2001, her only son, Matthew Ansara, died at age 35. His death was caused by accidental drug intoxication. It was a heartbreaking chapter in her life.
Even so, Eden keeps a bright outlook. She has said she prefers to focus on the good, not the bad. Today, she lives in the Benedict Canyon area of Beverly Hills with Jon and their dog, Bentley.
Her story helps us understand Fegert’s place in her past. He was one important chapter in a long, rich life. Knowing her journey makes his story feel more complete.
Here’s an interesting facts section with bullet points that you can add to your article.
Interesting Facts About Charles Donald Fegert
- He started at the very bottom. Fegert began as a door-to-door ad salesman before rising to Vice President at a major Chicago newspaper.
- He never watched I Dream of Jeannie. Even though he called Barbara Eden his “dream girl,” he had not seen the famous show that made her a star.
- His flower courtship was pure charm. He sent Eden flowers twice a day, each with an embossed “C” card, but never a written note.
- He was compared to a famous entertainer. As a master of ceremonies, his stage skills earned him comparisons to the well-known host Georgie Jessel.
- He flew 30+ times for love. During their long-distance romance, Fegert reportedly flew more than 30 times just to see Barbara Eden.
- Their home had a bold design. The couple’s Chicago condo overlooked the lakefront and even featured a mirrored Jacuzzi in the bedroom.
- His grandchildren sang his songs. After his death, his grandkids gathered to sing the very songs he had taught them, a sweet final memory.
Bottom Line
Charles Donald Fegert lived a life of two very different sides. On one side, he was a sharp, successful ad man in Chicago. On the other, he was the husband of a beloved Hollywood star.
His career was a real success story. He started as a simple salesman and climbed to the top. He became a respected leader in the newspaper world and a charming host around town.
His personal life was bumpier. His marriage to Barbara Eden brought bright, happy days at first. But it ended in pain, and he later stepped out of the spotlight for good.
In the end, Charles Donald Fegert reminds us of something simple. Even quiet people can leave a real mark. He is remembered as a talented executive, a loving family man, and a memorable part of Barbara Eden’s story.
(FAQs)
How old was Charles Donald Fegert when he died?
Charles Donald Fegert was 71 years old when he passed away. He was born on November 8, 1930, and died on September 25, 2002. One source lists his age as 72, but most reports agree he was 71.
When did Charles Donald Fegert marry Barbara Eden?
The couple married on September 3, 1977, in Long Grove, near Chicago. Their marriage lasted about five years before ending in divorce.
Did Charles Donald Fegert have children?
One source says he had a daughter and two sons from earlier marriages. His daughter later remembered him as a fun father and grandfather.
Was Barbara Eden his first wife?
No. Fegert was reportedly married twice before Eden. Both of those earlier marriages ended in divorce.
Is Barbara Eden still alive today?
Yes. As of 2026, Barbara Eden is 94 years old. She still lives in Beverly Hills with her husband, Jon Eicholtz.
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