Charles Donald Fegert is best known as the second husband of actress Barbara Eden. She became famous through the hit TV show I Dream of Jeannie. Their marriage brought Charles into the public eye, even though he was not an actor and did not work in Hollywood.
Before meeting Barbara, Charles had already built a strong career in Chicago. He worked in newspaper advertising and became a senior business leader. His life included success, family, public events, romance, and later, a difficult divorce.
This article looks at Charles Donald Fegert’s early life, work, family, and his first meeting with Barbara Eden. It also explains which details are widely known and which claims should be treated with care.
Who Was Charles Donald Fegert?
Charles Donald Fegert was an American advertising worker and businessman. He was often called Chuck by people close to him. He was born on November 8, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, and spent much of his life in that city.
Charles became known in Chicago’s newspaper world. He worked for major papers and later reached a high-level role in advertising and marketing. He was known as a smart salesman who could speak clearly and connect well with clients.
Most people today know Charles because of his marriage to Barbara Eden. Still, he had his own career and public name before the wedding. His work placed him among business leaders, newspaper workers, and well-known people in Chicago.
Charles Donald Fegert’s Early Life
Charles grew up in Chicago, but many parts of his early life were kept private. Some reports say he was raised on the South Side of the city in a working family. Chicago later became the main place where he built his career.
A few sources name his parents as Charles “Moon” Fegert and Virginia A. Henold Coppinger. They also say he had a younger brother named Craig Lewis Fegert. Craig is reported to have died in June 1980 at the age of 24.
Some online reports say Charles went to South Shore High School and later studied at Loyola University Chicago. They claim he earned a business degree in 1955. However, these school details are not supported by many strong public records, so they should be shared carefully.
His Career in Advertising
Charles Donald Fegert started his career as a salesman. He was good at talking with people, selling ideas, and building trust with business clients. These skills helped him move into larger and more important roles.
He worked with the Chicago Daily News and the Chicago Sun-Times. Both papers were important parts of Chicago life. At that time, newspaper ads were one of the main ways stores and companies reached local buyers.
Charles later became Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. This was a major role that gave him power over sales plans and business deals. Barbara Eden later called him a brilliant salesman, showing that even she respected his work skills.
Some reports also say he helped bring in large clients and improve advertising sales. While not every career claim can be fully checked, there is strong agreement that Charles was a successful newspaper executive in Chicago.
His Work as an Event Host
Charles was also known as a master of ceremonies. This meant he hosted dinners, business events, and public banquets. He knew how to speak in front of a crowd and keep people interested.
Reports say he had a quick sense of humor and a strong stage style. He was even compared to entertainer Georgie Jessel, who was well known for hosting events and telling stories.
This work helped Charles meet many business leaders and public figures. It also showed another side of him. He was not only a serious office worker. He was also social, confident, and comfortable in front of large groups.
His Family and Earlier Marriages
Before he met Barbara Eden, Charles had reportedly been married twice. Both of those marriages ended in divorce. Very little is known about his first two wives because those parts of his life stayed private.
Reports say Charles had three children, including one daughter and two sons. Their names and personal lives were not widely shared. This makes it hard to give a full picture of his family before Barbara.
After Charles died, his daughter spoke about him in a warm way. She said he was a fun father and grandfather. His grandchildren later gathered and sang songs he had taught them, which showed the close bond he had with his family.
These family memories are important because they show a side of Charles that was different from his public image. Many people knew him as a businessman or Barbara Eden’s former husband, but his children knew him simply as their father.
How Charles Met Barbara Eden
Charles Donald Fegert met Barbara Eden in Chicago during the mid-1970s. She was in the city for a stage show. At that time, Barbara had already ended her first marriage to actor Michael Ansara.
Charles was interested in her from the start. He reportedly told Barbara that she was his dream girl. One surprising fact is that he had never watched I Dream of Jeannie, even though that show had made her famous around the world.
Barbara did not like him right away. In her memoir, she said she first found him rude and too bold. His strong manner did not make a good first impression on her.
Still, Charles kept trying to get her attention. Barbara later described him as tall, fair, and handsome. She also felt that he knew how to treat a woman with care.
Their first meeting soon led to a long-distance romance. Charles began using flowers, phone calls, and frequent visits to slowly win Barbara’s heart.
How Charles Won Barbara’s Heart
After their first meeting, Charles Donald Fegert did not give up. He wanted Barbara Eden to know that he truly cared about her. Instead of making big promises, he used small but thoughtful actions.
Barbara later shared that Charles sent flowers to her every morning and every evening. The flowers came with a small card that had only the letter “C” on it. He also called her often and even flew to see her many times while they were living in different cities.
As time passed, Barbara’s opinion changed. She saw that Charles could be kind, caring, and fun to be around. They dated for about four years before deciding to get married.
During that time, Charles once joked that Barbara would make a wonderful wife “once I get her in the kitchen.” It reflected the thinking of that time, although people may see that comment differently today.
Charles and Barbara’s Wedding
Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden were married on September 3, 1977, in Long Grove, Illinois. Their wedding received plenty of attention because Barbara was already one of television’s biggest stars.
After the wedding, Barbara moved from Los Angeles to Chicago to live with Charles. Their long-distance relationship had become difficult, so living together seemed like the right choice.
The couple lived in a luxury condominium overlooking Lake Michigan. Reports said the home even had a mirrored Jacuzzi in the bedroom. From the outside, everything looked happy, and many people believed they would enjoy a long marriage.
Barbara Eden’s Move to Chicago
Moving to Chicago was a big change for Barbara. She left behind her familiar life in California so she could build a future with Charles.
One of the hardest parts was being away from her son, Matthew Ansara. Matthew stayed in California after Barbara’s former husband, Michael Ansara, sought custody. Matthew also wanted to remain close to his friends.
Barbara later admitted that this period was very painful. She missed her son deeply while trying to adjust to a new city, a new home, and married life.
Why Their Marriage Ended
Charles Donald Fegert and Barbara Eden stayed together for about five years. However, Barbara later explained in her memoir that their relationship changed after they married.
According to Barbara, Charles began spending time with people who drank heavily and used cocaine. She wrote that this affected his behavior and changed their home life. These statements come from Barbara’s own account of the marriage.
Barbara also said Charles became abusive, and she decided it was time to leave. She later described him as a brilliant salesman but also someone who struggled with insecurity and wanted constant attention.
Some sources say the divorce became final in 1982, while others say it ended in 1983. Even though the exact year is reported differently, their marriage had clearly come to an end by the early 1980s.
Charles Donald Fegert’s Later Life and Death
After the divorce, Charles Donald Fegert stayed out of the public eye. Unlike Barbara, he did not give interviews or appear often in the media. Very little is known about his later years.
Charles passed away in Chicago in September 2002 at the age of 71. Most reports list September 25, 2002, although a few mention September 26. His family said he died peacefully in his sleep, and no official cause of death was publicly shared.
His daughter later remembered him as a fun father and loving grandfather. She shared that after his death, his grandchildren sang songs he had taught them. It was a simple but touching way to remember him.
Charles Donald Fegert’s Net Worth
There is no official record showing Charles Donald Fegert’s net worth. Because he worked in senior advertising positions for many years, he likely earned a comfortable income.
Some websites estimate that his net worth was around $2.5 million when he died. However, this number has never been confirmed by public financial records.
Final Thoughts
Charles Donald Fegert is often remembered because of his marriage to Barbara Eden, but his story includes much more than that. He built a successful career in Chicago’s newspaper business and became a respected advertising executive.
His marriage to Barbara began with romance and hope but later ended in divorce. Much of what people know about that relationship comes from Barbara’s own memoir, while many parts of Charles’s private life remain unknown.
Even today, Charles Donald Fegert continues to interest readers because his life connected the worlds of business and Hollywood. His story shows both professional success and personal struggles, making him an interesting figure in Barbara Eden’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Charles Donald Fegert when he died?
Charles Donald Fegert was 71 years old when he died in September 2002. He was born on November 8, 1930, and most public records list his death date as September 25, 2002.
What did Charles Donald Fegert do for a living?
He worked in newspaper advertising and became Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for the Chicago Sun-Times. He also worked with the Chicago Daily News.
When did Charles Donald Fegert marry Barbara Eden?
Charles Donald Fegert married Barbara Eden on September 3, 1977, in Long Grove, Illinois.
Did Charles Donald Fegert have children?
Yes. Reports say he had three children from earlier marriages, including one daughter and two sons.
When did Charles Donald Fegert die?
Charles Donald Fegert died in September 2002 at the age of 71. Most sources list the date as September 25, 2002.
