Move over, Aladdin! Barbara Eden, the iconic actress who made the world dream of genies, is celebrating her 92nd birthday on August 23, 2023, and she looks as stunning as ever! Nearly 60 years after captivating audiences with her role as the wish-granting genie in I Dream of Jeannie, Eden remains beloved by fans across the world.
While Barbara Eden cast spells on screen, her real-life journey was filled with both triumph and heartbreak. While she became a household name and a symbol of magic and beauty, her life was also marked by the deep pain of losing her son to a heroin overdose in 2001.
A Humble Beginning and Rise to Stardom
Born during the Great Depression, Barbara Eden turned early struggles into success. By 1956, she was already making her mark in film (A Private’s Affair, Twelve Hours to Kill) and on TV (The Johnny Carson Show, I Love Lucy). Her career took off internationally when she starred alongside Elvis Presley in the 1960 western Flaming Star.
In 1965, Eden became a household name when she took on the role of Jeannie, the magical genie released by astronaut Tony Nelson (played by Larry Hagman) in I Dream of Jeannie. The show, which ran for five seasons, earned Eden a special place in television history as one of the most beloved characters of the 1960s.
Personal Life and Heartbreak
In 1965, the same year I Dream of Jeannie premiered, Barbara Eden and her husband, actor Michael Ansara (known for Broken Arrow), welcomed their son, Matthew Ansara. However, when Matthew was just nine years old, Barbara and Michael divorced, which, according to Eden, set Matthew on a troubled path toward drug addiction.
Eden first noticed signs of trouble in 1984, when Matthew moved in with his father after her second marriage. Upon her return after another divorce, she discovered that Matthew had been lying about his college enrollment, and she soon realized he was using heroin. Though Eden tried to get him help, his addiction persisted. “Matthew never told Mike and me that he was using heroin—he didn’t want to hurt us. But we figured it out,” she explained. “I insisted that he enter a rehab center, and I let him come back home when he came out a month later.”
Unfortunately, the cycle of addiction continued, and when Matthew was 20, Eden made the painful decision to lock him out of the house, a choice she called “the hardest thing I ever had to do.”
Matthew spent the next 12 years battling addiction, going in and out of rehab, and causing heartache for his parents. But even during his struggles, Eden said he would express his love and remorse when sober. “He’d say, ‘I’m so sorry. I love you more than anyone in the world,’” she recalled.
During a brief period of remission, Matthew married and attended UCLA to study creative writing, but once again, the cycle of addiction took over. He eventually separated from his wife and ended up living on the streets for months. In a heart-wrenching moment, Eden shared how she found him after a long search, nearly unconscious from a heroin overdose. She and a few friends rushed him to the hospital, where his life was saved.
Tragic Loss
Matthew’s struggles seemed to stabilize when he was 29, and he even began acting in films like To Protect and Serve (2001) and Con Games (2001). He also had plans to marry a woman he described as “wonderful.” During a phone conversation, Matthew told his mother, “Life is great, Mom. I can’t believe I spent so many years not being awake to how green the trees are.”
Sadly, just hours later, Barbara Eden was jolted awake with the devastating news that her son had passed away. On June 26, 2001, at the age of 35, Matthew was found slumped over the steering wheel of his truck, surrounded by vials of anabolic steroids. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an accidental heroin overdose. “He had shot up with a dose of unusually pure heroin, and it was too much for his heart,” Eden explained. “He was unable to do anything in moderation, even when he was getting in shape.”
A Mother’s Heartbreak
Barbara Eden mourns the loss of her only child, reflecting on the decisions she made during his youth. “Matthew took it horribly. 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 shared. “He won a lot of battles. But he lost his personal war.”
Eden’s first husband, Michael Ansara, passed away in 2013 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease and is buried next to their son at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Life After Loss
Despite this overwhelming tragedy, Barbara Eden continues to bring joy to her fans. After retiring her iconic pink harem suit, she appeared on Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition and starred in the 2019 film My Adventures with Santa as Mrs. Claus. Her last stage production was 2019’s Love Letters.
Today, as Barbara Eden celebrates her 92nd birthday, we honor both her incredible career and the strength she’s shown in the face of profound loss.
A Heartfelt Wish
We wish the beautiful Barbara Eden a very happy birthday and offer our deepest sympathies for the pain she’s endured. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out to your local drug abuse hotline—it could make all the difference.
Let’s celebrate Barbara Eden’s legacy and send her the love and support she truly deserves. Share this story to spread warm wishes and honor this legendary star.