Looking back on the life of Barbara Eden
Barbara Eden, the iconic actress who brought the fantasy of genies to life, celebrated her 92nd birthday on August 23, and her timeless elegance continues to captivate.
Known for enchanting audiences with her portrayal of Jeannie, Eden turned fans into hopeful wish-makers nearly six decades ago when she first appeared on the beloved sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.
While her on-screen magic captured hearts worldwide, her real life has not been without profound challenges, including the devastating loss of her son to a heroin overdose in 2001.
Born during the Great Depression, Barbara Eden rose from humble beginnings to dazzling stardom. By 1956, she had already made her mark in films such as A Private’s Affair and Twelve Hours to Kill, and on television shows like The Johnny Carson Show and I Love Lucy.
In 1960, her star shone brighter as she appeared alongside Elvis Presley in the western film Flaming Star, introducing her talent to global audiences.
Her most iconic role came in 1965 when she portrayed Jeannie, a stunningly beautiful genie freed from her bottle by astronaut and U.S. Air Force Captain Tony Nelson. Eden's performance in the five-season run of I Dream of Jeannie solidified her place in television history, with Larry Hagman playing opposite her as the charming Captain Nelson.
That same year, Eden and her husband, actor Michael Ansara, welcomed their son, Matthew Ansara, born on August 29, 1965. Despite her burgeoning career, Eden’s personal life faced trials. After 15 years of marriage, she and Ansara divorced when Matthew was nine, a turning point she believed influenced her son's troubled path toward drug addiction.
Eden later revealed that she first realized Matthew was struggling in 1984 when he moved in with his father after her remarriage. When he returned to live with her following her second divorce, his behavior raised alarms.
“Matthew never told Mike and me that he was using heroin—he didn’t want to hurt us,” Eden explained. “But we figured it out because he had been acting sluggish, losing weight, and staying out all night. I insisted he enter a rehab center and let him come back home when he finished a month later.”
Unfortunately, the cycle continued. Eden recalled that the hardest decision she ever made was to lock her son out of her home when he was 20, as professionals advised that his addiction had changed him.
Matthew, who began using drugs at just 10 years old, spent over a decade in and out of rehabilitation centers, with his parents supporting him as much as they could. Eden recounted moments of heartbreak and fleeting hope, describing how Matthew would apologize for his actions during his sober periods.
“When he visited, he would sometimes joke, ‘Better lock up everything.’ But when he was clean, he’d say, ‘I’m so sorry. I love you more than anyone in the world,’” she shared, highlighting both the tragedy and tenderness of his struggles.
Despite brief periods of remission, including studying creative writing at UCLA and acting in films like To Protect and Serve, Matthew’s addiction ultimately derailed his life. Eden spoke about finding him unconscious from an overdose in a grim Venice, California, apartment.
“He weighed 200 pounds, but we managed to get him to the hospital, which saved his life,” she said. Yet, despite these interventions, Matthew was diagnosed with clinical depression at 29 and continued to battle his demons.
By the age of 31, Matthew seemed to have turned a corner, landing roles in films and planning to marry. “He told me, ‘Life is great, Mom. I can’t believe I spent so many years not noticing how green the trees are,’” Eden recalled.
Tragically, just months later, on June 26, 2001, Eden received a devastating call. Police had found Matthew slumped over in his truck, where anabolic steroids and unusually pure heroin were discovered. He had suffered a fatal overdose at 35.
Eden, mourning her only child, reflected on his life. “He wanted his mommy and daddy to stay together. If I had to do it over, I would have waited until he was older. But then I remind myself that so many kids from divorced homes don’t become addicts.” She added, “Matthew won many battles, but he lost his personal war.”
Matthew is buried alongside his father, Michael Ansara, who passed away in 2013, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Today, Barbara Eden remains an enduring figure in entertainment. While her pink harem costume is retired, she has appeared on shows like Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition and in the 2019 film My Adventures with Santa. Her last stage role was in Love Letters that same year.
As Eden celebrates her incredible legacy, fans and admirers continue to honor her resilience and talent. If you or someone you know is battling addiction, reaching out to a local hotline can make all the difference.
Let’s join in wishing Barbara Eden a joyous birthday and share this story to spread love and awareness.
