Charles Donald Fegert: 5 Fascinating Facts About the Media Executive Who Married Barbara Eden

While many recognize Barbara Eden for her iconic role in I Dream of Jeannie, far fewer are familiar with the man who once shared her life—Charles Donald Fegert. Though not a Hollywood actor or television personality, Charles carved out a notable career in the media industry, especially in advertising. His life intersected with fame when he married Barbara Eden in the late 1970s, catapulting him briefly into the public eye. But Charles Donald Fegert was much more than just a celebrity spouse; he was a talented media executive, a charismatic figure in Chicago’s advertising world, and a man whose life story deserves to be remembered.

Quick Bio

Personal Detail	Information
Full Name	Charles Donald Fegert
Nickname	Chuck
Date of Birth	1930
Place of Birth	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Date of Death	2002
Age at Death	71 years old
Occupation	Advertising Executive, VP of Advertising and Marketing at Chicago Sun-Times
Education	South Shore High School, Loyola University (Graduated 1955)
Marriage	Barbara Eden (1977–1982)
Children	Three (one daughter, two sons)
Residence	Chicago, Illinois
Net Worth (Estimated)	In the millions (exact figure not available)
Physical Appearance	Not publicly available

Early Life and Education of Charles Donald Fegert

Born in Chicago in 1930, Charles Donald Fegert’s early years were marked by modesty and Midwestern values. Raised in a working-class family, he grew up with a strong sense of determination and an appreciation for hard work. Fegert attended Loyola University in Chicago, where he studied business. It was during these formative years that his passion for communication, salesmanship, and media began to take shape.

His college education gave him the foundation he needed to enter the competitive world of advertising. Fegert’s charm, intelligence, and natural ability to connect with people made him a standout early in his career. While his beginnings were humble, his ambitions were anything but.

Climbing the Corporate Ladder in the Media Industry

Charles Donald Fegert’s rise in the media and advertising world was swift and significant. He began working at the Chicago Sun-Times, one of the largest newspapers in the Midwest. There, he took on various roles in the advertising department and quickly proved himself as a powerhouse in media sales. His ability to understand client needs and craft compelling advertising campaigns helped boost the Sun-Times’ ad revenues, earning him both internal recognition and external offers.

Eventually, Fegert became the Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at the Sun-Times—a major role that placed him at the heart of the city’s booming print media landscape. This position granted him access to high-powered circles, influential business leaders, and eventually, the fringes of the entertainment world.

Meeting Barbara Eden: A Relationship That Captured Public Attention

By the mid-1970s, Charles Donald Fegert had already established himself as a successful media executive. Around this time, his path crossed with Barbara Eden, the glamorous television star best known for her role as Jeannie in the 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. Eden, recently divorced from actor Michael Ansara, met Fegert through mutual friends.

Their romance developed quickly and made headlines. The contrast between Eden’s Hollywood fame and Fegert’s business-world sophistication intrigued the media. Despite coming from different professional backgrounds, the two shared a mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s worlds. They married in 1977, and for a while, their union seemed like a perfect blend of glamour and groundedness.

Life as Barbara Eden’s Husband: Fame and Public Scrutiny

Marriage to a celebrity came with both perks and challenges. Charles Donald Fegert suddenly found himself attending red carpet events, award shows, and Hollywood galas—worlds far removed from the structured boardrooms of Chicago’s media circles. He adapted well, often appearing charismatic and confident in public settings.

However, the transition wasn’t entirely seamless. Fegert’s personality was described as larger-than-life and sometimes unpredictable. Friends noted that he loved to entertain, enjoyed the spotlight more than he let on, and often found comfort in the social scenes of both Chicago and Los Angeles. The lifestyle that came with Eden’s fame could be overwhelming, even for someone as seasoned and self-assured as Fegert.

Troubles in Paradise: A Marriage Tested by Personal Struggles

Despite their shared affection, Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden’s marriage eventually encountered significant difficulties. In her memoir Jeannie Out of the Bottle, Eden candidly spoke about their tumultuous relationship, revealing that substance abuse became a major issue.

According to Eden, Fegert struggled with alcoholism, which strained their marriage over time. His drinking led to erratic behavior, mood swings, and ultimately a breakdown in trust and communication. Despite efforts to make the relationship work, Eden filed for divorce in 1982, ending their five-year marriage.

It was a painful chapter in both of their lives. Eden admitted that while there was love, the challenges they faced became insurmountable. For Fegert, the end of the marriage marked a decline in both public attention and, eventually, his professional momentum.

Later Years and Personal Life After Divorce

Following the divorce, Charles Donald Fegert stepped back from the public eye. He returned to Chicago, where he continued to work in advertising and consulting for a time. His professional reputation, though affected by personal issues, still held weight in the industry. However, the glitter of his earlier career slowly faded, and he lived a more private life.

Fegert never remarried, and little is publicly known about his personal relationships after Eden. Friends say he remained a charismatic figure, always ready with a story, and that he never lost his passion for media and marketing. Unfortunately, the later years of his life were also marked by health issues.

Death and Legacy of Charles Donald Fegert

Charles Donald Fegert passed away in 2002 in Chicago at the age of 72. His death was not widely publicized, a quiet end for a man who had once been in the headlines. Despite his struggles and the fading of his media career, Fegert left behind a legacy in Chicago’s advertising world. He helped shape the strategies that fueled newspaper advertising in the 1960s and 1970s and played a role in transforming how media interacted with consumer brands.

More importantly, his life remains a reminder of how success, fame, and personal battles often intermingle in unpredictable ways. Though most now remember him as Barbara Eden’s second husband, those who knew him well recall a dynamic and brilliant mind who had a significant, if complex, impact on those around him.

Charles Donald Fegert in Retrospect: More Than a Celebrity Spouse

It’s easy to dismiss Charles Donald Fegert as just a footnote in the life of a Hollywood actress. But doing so ignores the layers of his story. He was a self-made man, climbing to executive heights in a competitive industry long before he entered the public consciousness via his marriage to Barbara Eden.

His contributions to media and advertising, especially in print journalism, were substantial during a transformative period. The evolution of newspaper advertising, marketing strategies, and media-client relationships during the 1960s and 70s owes much to people like Fegert—creative minds working behind the scenes to shape how businesses communicated with the public.

What We Can Learn from the Life of Charles Donald Fegert

Charles Donald Fegert’s story is one of ambition, success, love, loss, and ultimately, quiet retreat. It speaks to the unpredictable intersections between personal and professional life, and the toll that public scrutiny can take when fame enters a once-private world.

In a time when celebrity culture dominates media coverage, it’s worth revisiting the lives of those who stand just outside the limelight. People like Charles Donald Fegert remind us that influence isn’t always about fame—it’s often about passion, dedication, and the invisible hand guiding an industry forward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who was Charles Donald Fegert?

• Charles Donald Fegert was a media executive, best known for his work in advertising at the Chicago Sun-Times and for being the second husband of actress Barbara Eden.

2. What was Charles Donald Fegert’s profession?

• He was a high-ranking advertising executive, eventually becoming Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at the Chicago Sun-Times.

3. When was Charles Donald Fegert married to Barbara Eden?

• Fegert and Eden were married in 1977 and divorced in 1982.

4. Did Charles Donald Fegert have any children?

• There is no widely available public record of him having children.

5. When did Charles Donald Fegert die?

• He passed away in 2002 at the age of 72 in Chicago.