Barbara Eden, the legendary star who made the world believe in magic as Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie, turned 92 on August 23, still captivating fans with her charm and timeless beauty. Yet behind the glamour lies a deep personal sorrow — the devastating loss of her only child, Matthew Ansara, to a heroin overdose in 2001.
Born during the Great Depression, Eden rose from humble beginnings to Hollywood fame. By the late 1950s, she had appeared in films like A Private’s Affair and Twelve Hours to Kill, and made television appearances on shows including The Johnny Carson Show and I Love Lucy. Her career soared when she starred opposite Elvis Presley in Flaming Star in 1960. But it was in 1965 that she became a household name as the mischievous genie opposite Larry Hagman in I Dream of Jeannie, a role that ran for five seasons and became a cultural icon.
That same year, Eden and her then-husband, actor Michael Ansara, welcomed their son, Matthew. The couple divorced when Matthew was nine, and Eden believes the separation had a lasting effect on him. She first noticed troubling signs in 1984 when he returned home after living with his father. He was lethargic, withdrawn, and not attending college as he had claimed. Unknown to them at first, Matthew had already begun using drugs at the age of ten.
Over the years, Eden and Michael tried to help him through countless stints in rehab. His addiction, particularly to heroin, led to theft, strained relationships, and repeated relapses. There were moments of hope — at 27, Matthew was married and studying creative writing at UCLA, and later pursued acting, landing roles in To Protect and Serve and Con Games. He was engaged to a woman Eden described as “wonderful,” and seemed to be rebuilding his life.
But addiction’s grip was relentless. On June 26, 2001, Eden received the call no mother ever wants to hear. Six hours earlier, police had found Matthew, 35, slumped over in his truck. He had injected an unusually pure dose of heroin, which his heart could not withstand. Alongside the drug, police also found anabolic steroids, reflecting his obsessive approach to bodybuilding.
Eden has openly reflected on her loss, wondering if her divorce from Ansara played a role, yet acknowledging that many children from divorced families never face addiction. “He won a lot of battles,” she said. “But he lost his personal war.”
Matthew was laid to rest beside his father, who passed away in 2013 from Alzheimer’s complications. Eden, now married to architect Jon Eicholtz since 1991, has continued working in television and stage productions, most recently appearing as Mrs. Claus in My Adventures with Santa in 2019.
At 92, Barbara Eden remains an enduring figure of resilience. Her life story is one of brilliance and heartbreak, a reminder that even those who seem to have it all are not untouched by tragedy. She continues to inspire fans, urging anyone facing addiction, or who loves someone who is, to seek help — because one phone call could save a life.