Charles Donald Fegert was a Chicago media executive best known as the former husband of actress Barbara Eden, the star of the hit 1960s show I Dream of Jeannie. His life was a mix of professional success in the newspaper industry and public attention due to his marriage with Eden. Though not a Hollywood celebrity himself, Fegert’s connection with Eden made him a person of interest for fans who wanted to know more about the man behind the scenes.
Quick Bio Table of Charles Donald Fegert
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Donald Fegert |
| Known For | Chicago media executive, ex-husband of Barbara Eden |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Career Role | Vice President of Advertising & Marketing |
| Employer | Chicago Sun-Times / Field Newspaper Group |
| Famous Connection | Married Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie) |
| Marriage Date | September 3, 1977 |
| Marriage Location | Long Grove, Illinois |
| Residence with Eden | Water Tower Place, Chicago |
| Divorce Year | 1982 (some reports 1983) |
| Children | Reports suggest children from earlier relationships |
| Death Year | 2002 |
| Age at Death | 71 |
Early Life of Charles Donald Fegert
The exact details of Charles Donald Fegert’s early childhood remain limited in public records, but what is clear is that he grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He was drawn to business and media, which set the stage for his later career. Chicago in the mid-20th century was a lively city with strong ties to the publishing world. This background offered him opportunities to build a name in the advertising field.
Building a Career in Media
By the 1970s, Charles Donald Fegert had risen in the Chicago media world. He became a Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at the Chicago Sun-Times and worked with the Field Newspaper Group. This was a respected position, and it gave him influence over marketing campaigns and newspaper strategies. At the time, the Sun-Times was one of the most important newspapers in the region. His work showed skill in connecting businesses with audiences.
Role at the Chicago Sun-Times
Working at the Chicago Sun-Times meant handling one of the biggest platforms in the city. As vice president, Charles Donald Fegert was responsible for shaping the paper’s image to advertisers. He helped expand readership and bring in revenue. The newspaper industry was competitive, and the 1970s were a period of changes in how media was consumed. Fegert’s job required vision, and his success earned him respect in Chicago business circles.
Meeting Barbara Eden
The turning point in Charles Donald Fegert’s public life came when he met Barbara Eden. By the 1970s, Eden was already famous worldwide for her role as Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie, which ran from 1965 to 1970. Meeting a Hollywood actress added glamour to Fegert’s life. Their romance grew quickly, and soon they were seen as an unlikely pair: a Chicago media executive and a television star. Their relationship drew media curiosity.
Marriage to Barbara Eden
On September 3, 1977, Charles Donald Fegert married Barbara Eden in Long Grove, Illinois. The wedding gathered attention because Eden was a well-known actress, while Fegert was respected in Chicago’s newspaper world. After the marriage, Eden moved part of her life to Chicago. The couple lived in a luxury Water Tower Place apartment on the city’s famous Magnificent Mile. Their home symbolized both success and prestige in Chicago society.
Life in Chicago Together
Living in Chicago was a change for Barbara Eden, who had spent much of her life in Hollywood. With Charles Donald Fegert, she adapted to life in the Midwest, enjoying the city’s theaters, shopping, and culture. For Eden, it was a chance to step away from the fast pace of Los Angeles. For Fegert, it meant having a celebrity wife by his side, which drew even more attention to his personal life and made him a subject of gossip columns.
Struggles in the Marriage
While the marriage between Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden began with excitement, it soon faced difficulties. Eden later described their relationship as troubled, with growing problems that made her unhappy. The pressures of her career, combined with Fegert’s work and personal issues, created tension. Reports later noted that their relationship became abusive, which eventually pushed Eden to leave the marriage for her own safety and peace of mind.
Divorce and Separation
The marriage between Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden ended in the early 1980s. Most reports state they divorced in 1982, while some sources list 1983 as the final legal year. Either way, the marriage lasted about five years. For Eden, the divorce was another difficult chapter in her personal life. For Fegert, it marked the end of his brief connection to Hollywood fame, leaving him to continue his life outside of the spotlight.
Barbara Eden’s Career During the Marriage
During her marriage to Charles Donald Fegert, Barbara Eden remained active in television and film. After her hit role in I Dream of Jeannie, she appeared in projects like Harper Valley PTA (1978), which later turned into a TV series. Her star power never faded, and she continued to work in movies and stage shows. Being married to a media executive might have added stability, but Eden’s career path was independent and always driven by her own talent.
Barbara Eden’s Personal Struggles
The years with Charles Donald Fegert were also a time of personal challenges for Barbara Eden. In addition to her troubled marriage, she dealt with family tragedies, including difficulties with her only son, Matthew Ansara, who later passed away in 2001. These struggles tested her strength. Eden later wrote about her life experiences in her memoir, sharing her side of the story and describing how she overcame the pain of her second marriage.
Charles Donald Fegert After Divorce
After his divorce from Barbara Eden, Charles Donald Fegert kept a low profile. He no longer appeared in entertainment news, and his life returned to the Chicago business world. Unlike Eden, who continued to shine in Hollywood, Fegert faded from the spotlight. Details about his later years are limited, but he is remembered mostly through his connection to Eden and his work at the Sun-Times.
Death of Charles Donald Fegert
In 2002, Charles Donald Fegert passed away at the age of 71. His death marked the end of a life that mixed media leadership with brief Hollywood fame. While his personal legacy was not widely celebrated in newspapers, his name remains tied to one of television’s most beloved stars. Many who search for him today do so because of his link to Barbara Eden, but his career also reflects the strong newspaper culture of Chicago in the 20th century.
Legacy of His Career
Although Charles Donald Fegert is remembered most as Barbara Eden’s ex-husband, his role in Chicago’s media world should not be overlooked. As a vice president at the Sun-Times, he was part of the decision-making team that shaped the paper’s future. His work in advertising and marketing helped the newspaper stay strong during a period when television was becoming the dominant media. For people in Chicago, his contributions were real even if less known outside the city.
Legacy of His Marriage
The marriage between Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden may not have lasted, but it remains a part of Eden’s life story. Fans of I Dream of Jeannie and readers of Eden’s memoir still encounter Fegert’s name when exploring her personal history. In this way, his legacy is tied to popular culture, even if his career achievements were in business. The marriage shows how private lives of stars often become public history.
Remembering Charles Donald Fegert
Today, Charles Donald Fegert is remembered both as a Chicago media executive and as the second husband of a beloved Hollywood actress. His story blends the worlds of journalism and entertainment. Though he was not a public celebrity, his connection to Barbara Eden makes him a figure of curiosity. He represents how personal and professional lives can overlap, drawing attention long after the events have passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who was Charles Donald Fegert?
Charles Donald Fegert was a Chicago media executive and the second husband of actress Barbara Eden.
Q2: What was his job?
He worked as Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Q3: When did he marry Barbara Eden?
Charles Donald Fegert married Barbara Eden on September 3, 1977, in Long Grove, Illinois.
Q4: When did they divorce?
They divorced in the early 1980s, most sources say 1982, though some say final papers came in 1983.
Q5: When did Charles Donald Fegert die?
He passed away in 2002 at the age of 71.
Conclusion
The life of Charles Donald Fegert was marked by achievement in media and by a high-profile marriage to Barbara Eden. From his role as an advertising leader at the Chicago Sun-Times to his marriage in 1977 and divorce in the early 1980s, his journey reflects both success and struggle. His death in 2002 closed the chapter, but his name remains linked to Hollywood history. For fans and readers, he is a reminder of the complex personal stories behind public figures.
Discover more stories on purpose-driven leadership and community impact Buzz Mega.
