Charles Donald Fegert was known to many as Barbara Eden's ex-husband. He was married to the iconic Hollywood actress for five years before their divorce.

Charles Donald Fegert was known as Chuck, a name his ex-wife called him. Even though he worked in the media industry, he was never the center of attraction. His marriage to his wife, the famous actress Barbara Eden, captured the media's and fans' attention.

Despite their eventual separation, he remained an intriguing figure in the history of Hollywood marriages and a lesser-known aspect of Barbara Eden's personal life.

Barbara Eden and Charles Donald Fegert at Chasen's Restaurant on March 26, 1976, in Beverly Hills | Source: Getty Images

Charles Was Married Twice before Meeting His Famous Wife

Charles was a big name in the advertising industry, once the vice president of marketing and advertising at the Chicago Daily News and the Sun-Times in Chicago. He started as an executive with the firm and grew up the ranks. He was later able to own his top management team.

In addition to his marketing executive career, he was a skilled master of ceremonies. His ability to entertain and engage audiences at events and banquets throughout Chicago made him highly sought after, and he was once likened to Georgie Jessel.

Although there is very little information about him, he reportedly had a daughter and two sons and had gone through two divorces before he met the actress.

Charles met Barbara Eden while she was performing in his town. At the time, he told her she was his fantasy dream girl even though he had not watched her fictional sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie."

When they met, Barbara was already divorced from Michael Ansara, her husband of 15 years, and had a son, Matthew Ansara. They were soon formally introduced, and she described him as tall, fair, and handsome.

In her memoir, "Jeannie Out of the Bottle," the actress revealed he knew how to treat a lady. Charles had wooed her by sending flowers to her every morning and evening. Even though he never sent a note with the flowers, they always had an embossed card with the initial C.

Charles Got Married to Barbara Yet Never Watched Her TV Show

Charles and Barbara soon started dating despite their long distance and dated for four years before they married in September 1977. After their marriage, she had to move from Los Angeles to Chicago as the commuting was taking its toll.

Even though Charles was brilliant and a talented salesman, he was insecure.

She moved into their over-two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar condominium that overlooked the Chicago lakefront and featured a mirrored Jacuzzi in their bedroom.

Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden at an event in Chicago on June 9, 1977 | Source: Getty Images

The marketing executive revealed that he had flown over 30 times to see her. At the time, Charles said:

"Barbara will make a spectacular wife once I get her in the kitchen."

Unfortunately, the actress could not move with her son, Matthew Ansara, because her ex-husband had filed for custody of him, and her son wanted to stay back where he had friends.

Barbara Eden at the Remus Pre-Award Tea Time event on March 8, 2023, in Beverly Hills | Source: Getty Images

Charles Already Passed Away

Charles and Barbara were together until 1983, when they finalized their divorce. The actress later revealed that she met her then-husband during a lonely period and saw him as a handsome and intelligent man who knew how to have fun.

Unfortunately, things changed when they got married. The actress remarked that he began moving with people who drank and used drugs. In addition, he became abusive, and she had to leave him.

While reflecting on their marriage, Barbara noted that even though Charles was brilliant and a talented salesman, he was insecure. She described him as a spoiled child who constantly wanted attention and could not endure not having any.

Unfortunately, he passed away in his sleep in 2002. His daughter revealed that he was a fun father and grandfather. After he died, his grandchildren gathered to sing the songs he had taught them.

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