She is loved by everyone, and you can’t imagine who she is
Step aside, Aladdin! Barbara Eden at 92: A Classic Icon, a Heartbreaking Death, and a Legacy That Lives On! On August 23, the renowned actress Barbara Eden, who gave the world faith in magic, celebrated her 92nd birthday. She still defies the passing of time.
Eden remains a cherished icon in Hollywood, her captivating portrayal of Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie still enchanting audiences decades later. Yet, behind the dazzling TV magic and her remarkable career, a deep personal sorrow lingered. In 2001, she endured the unimaginable heartache of losing her only son, Matthew Ansara, to a tragic drug overdose—an irreplaceable loss that cast a shadow over her life despite the fame and success she had achieved.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Fame
Barbara Eden’s Hollywood journey began during one of the most challenging times in American history. Growing up in the midst of the Great Depression, she transformed her modest beginnings into a life of wealth and success.
Eden’s career in television and film began in 1956, with notable appearances on The Johnny Carson Show and I Love Lucy, as well as roles in films like A Private’s Affair and Twelve Hours to Kill. Slowly but surely, she gained recognition. But it was her 1960 role alongside Elvis Presley in the western Flaming Star that catapulted her to international fame.
Yet, it was in 1965 that Barbara Eden truly became a household name, landing her iconic role as the enchanting but mischievous genie, Jeannie, in I Dream of Jeannie. Starring opposite Larry Hagman, who played the astronaut and U.S. Army officer Major Anthony Nelson, Eden’s portrayal of Jeannie captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, solidifying her place in television history.
The Journey from Stardom to Heartache: Raising Matthew Ansara
Barbara Eden’s rise to fame was meteoric, and her portrayal of Air Force Captain Tony Nelson’s mischievous and enchanting genie, Jeannie, secured her place as a television legend. For five successful seasons, her performance captivated audiences, making I Dream of Jeannie a beloved classic.
But behind the spotlight, Eden was navigating a significant personal chapter—motherhood. In 1965, the same year she tied the knot with actor Michael Ansara, she gave birth to their son, Matthew Ansara. The joy of becoming a mother brought a new sense of fulfillment to her life.
However, after 15 years of marriage, Eden and Ansara divorced when Matthew was just nine years old. Looking back, Eden believes their separation had a profound effect on their son, leading him down a difficult and ultimately tragic path of drug addiction.
In an interview, she reflected on the early signs that something was wrong. “When Matthew moved in with his father after I remarried in 1984, I realized he was struggling,” she shared. “He was lying about being enrolled in college and seemed to be sleeping all the time when he came home after my second divorce.” It was clear that the turbulence in their family life had taken a toll on Matthew, though Eden never imagined the heartbreaking path he would ultimately take.
For years, Matthew kept his drug addiction hidden from his parents, starting at the tender age of ten. Barbara Eden later revealed, “Matthew didn’t want to hurt Mike and me, so he never told us he was using heroin.” Despite his efforts to shield them from his pain, signs of his struggles began to emerge. He was losing weight, acting lethargic, and frequently staying out late.
Determined to help him, Eden took action. “I made him go to a rehab facility,” she recalled. After a month of treatment, Matthew returned home, and Eden, hopeful for his recovery, welcomed him back with open arms.
Sadly, the relief was short-lived. Matthew’s challenges continued, and the road to recovery proved far more difficult than anyone had hoped. Despite her unwavering support, the battle with addiction loomed large, and the toll it took on him—and on their family—would only deepen over time.
“If your child is using drugs, he has become the drug: He is no longer your child, and he no longer has a home with you,” Barbara Eden shared, quoting experts on the painful reality of addiction. “The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was lock him out when he was 20.” This moment marked a heartbreaking turning point in her relationship with her son, Matthew, who was battling an addiction that had consumed him.
For the next twelve years, Matthew’s life was a cycle of rehab stints and relapses. Despite the turmoil, his parents remained by his side, offering their support and never giving up hope. Eden recalled, “On occasion, when he came to visit us, he would chuckle and say, ‘Here I am, better lock up everything.’” His addiction drove him to steal from them, yet when he was sober, he would apologize profusely, telling them, “There is no one in the world I love more than you.”
There were moments when Matthew seemed to be on the path to recovery. At 27, he was married and studying creative writing at UCLA. But as Eden somberly reflected, “the cycle began again,” and his marriage fell apart. Matthew’s struggles worsened, leaving him homeless. “Mom, I’m sick,” he called her one day, his voice weak and desperate.
Eden embarked on a frantic search, eventually finding her son in a dilapidated apartment in Venice, California. She recalled the horrifying scene: “I drove to a bad area of Venice with Mike’s wife and another friend, and we found him in his apartment, unconscious from an overdose.” Matthew, who weighed 200 pounds, was in dire condition, but Eden and her friends managed to get him to the car and rushed him to the hospital, where his life was saved.
Though Matthew’s battles continued, there were glimpses of hope. At 29, he was diagnosed with clinical depression and started medication, but it ultimately proved ineffective. Yet, at 31, he seemed to have found a path toward sobriety again, even landing a supporting role in Con Games and a leading role in To Protect and Serve (2001), offering a brief, hopeful moment in the midst of his long struggle with addiction.
In addition to his recovery, Matthew had plans for his future, including marrying his fiancée, whom Barbara Eden described as “wonderful.” His optimism was evident when he told his mother, “Life is great, Mom,” reflecting a moment of peace he had seemingly found. “It’s unbelievable that I was unaware of how green the trees were for so long,” Eden recalled, cherishing those rare moments of clarity in her son’s life.
However, on June 26, 2001, tragedy struck. A heartbreaking phone call at three in the morning shattered Eden’s world: Matthew was gone. Police had found her 35-year-old son slumped over the steering wheel of his truck, six hours prior. Along with his body, authorities discovered vials of anabolic drugs, revealing his amateur bodybuilding habits. Later, an autopsy confirmed the worst—Matthew had died from an accidental heroin overdose.
Eden explained, “He had taken a dose of exceptionally pure heroin, and it was too much for his heart.” Even when working out, Matthew’s compulsive behavior mirrored the addictive nature of his struggles. He lacked the ability to exercise restraint.
The loss of her only child left Eden devastated, causing her to reflect deeply on the years leading up to his death. She wrestled with the idea of whether her divorce from Michael Ansara, Matthew’s father, might have been a contributing factor to his struggles. “He wanted his mommy and daddy to stay together,” she admitted. Yet, she also reminded herself that many children of divorced families do not turn to addiction. Matthew fought many battles, but ultimately, he lost his personal one.
Matthew was laid to rest next to his father, Michael Ansara, who passed away from Alzheimer’s complications in 2013. Both are buried at Los Angeles’ Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where their family is forever connected in peace.
Though Barbara Eden no longer dons the iconic pink harem outfit of Jeannie, her presence in the entertainment world endures. She played Mrs. Claus in the 2019 holiday film My Adventures with Santa and appeared on shows like Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition. Her final theatrical production was Love Letters in 2019.
At the age of 92, Eden continues to inspire with her grace, resilience, and timeless beauty. Despite enduring unimaginable loss, she remains a symbol of strength and elegance for people around the globe.
Today, we honor and celebrate Barbara Eden, wishing her a very happy birthday and continued health and happiness!
Help is also accessible for anyone who is battling addiction or knows someone who is. It could save a life, so please call your local drug abuse hotline.
Let’s tell this tale in order to pay tribute to Barbara Eden and give her the affection and encouragement she so well deserves!
