Barbara Eden Revealed Secret of Marriage with Her Husband, Who Helped Her Cope with the Death of Her Son

• 22 years ago, Barbara Eden, the beloved star of "I Dream of Jeannie," went through unimaginable pain when she lost her only son.
• Eden opened up about how her husband, Jon Eicholtz, helped her cope with the tragic loss and the secret of her marriage.
• Eden and Eicholtz have been married for over three decades and have supported each other through thick and thin.

Barbara Eden is a cherished figure in the American acting industry, who rose to international fame for her role in the NBC TV comedy series, "I Dream of Jeannie." She delighted audiences as the character Jeannie, the blond genie, for five seasons, spanning 139 episodes.

In June 2001, Eden faced an unimaginable tragedy. Her only child, Matthew Ansara, a fitness trainer and actor, was found lifeless in his car at a gas station in Monrovia, a city east of Los Angeles. The discovery was made on a Monday night by a gas station attendant, and paramedics who arrived at the scene pronounced him dead at 9:15 p.m.

According to Scott Carrier, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner, there was no sign of trauma on Ansara's body. Ansara, known for his physique as a bodybuilder, was in seemingly perfect health, making his sudden death even more shocking. It was later discovered that he died of a heroin overdose.

Ansara had been looking forward to a bright future. He was set to marry in September of the same year, with Eden deeply involved in the wedding preparations. The news of his death left Eden and those close to her in a state of shock and devastation. The unexpected phone call at 3:30 a.m. that brought the tragic news was a harsh blow for Eden.

In the aftermath of her son's death, Eden bravely chose to share Ansara's struggle with drug addiction with the public. Through numerous interviews, she expressed her profound grief and loss, reliving the painful memories of Ansara's battle.

Despite the emotional toll, Eden found solace in the possibility that her openness could help other parents recognize early signs of drug addiction in their children, signs she had missed in Ansara.

Ansara's father was actor Michael Ansara. However, at the time of her son's death, Eden was married to Jon Eicholtz, a structural engineer and real estate developer. Eden and Eicholtz tied the knot in 1991 and have been together since. As she dealt with the devastating loss, Eden found strength and solace in her husband, Eicholtz.

Nearly a decade after Ansara's passing, Eden penned a memoir titled "Jeannie Out of the Bottle." In it, she wrote, "I still think of him every day and dream of him every night. I am so blessed that through it all, Jon was always by my side."

Eden and Eicholtz's marriage has stood the test of time, remaining strong even after more than three decades. In 2020, Eden revealed the secret behind their enduring relationship.

She advised, "You should walk in the other person's shoes if you're having a little problem. Try to see their side of it. It's not easy! But try." This empathetic approach has been a cornerstone of their successful marriage.

Their bond extends beyond their home life, as the couple often travels together for Eden's work commitments. This shared journey, both literally and metaphorically, further strengthens their connection, painting a picture of a couple deeply committed to each other through all of life's ups and downs.

Eden, a perennial star of Hollywood, was born in Tucson but spent the majority of her youth in San Francisco. Her love for the arts was apparent from an early age, as she participated in church choir and pageants. Her journey to stardom began in earnest in 1955 when she became a regular sketch performer on "The Johnny Carson Show."

This opportunity led to her iconic role as Jeannie in the NBC sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie" in 1965, where she shared the screen with Larry Hagman. The sitcom, which ran from 1965 to 1970, centered around a 2,000-year-old genie (Eden) and an astronaut (Hagman), who she falls for and eventually weds.

While Eden's career was soaring in Hollywood, her personal life was marred by a series of heartbreaking events after the show concluded, including two divorces, the loss of an unborn child, and the tragic passing of her son, Ansara. Presently, Eden is at peace with her life's path having found happiness in her third husband Eicholtz.

"I'm really lucky," she reflected. "I have a wonderful family, a very supportive husband, a dog who is adorable, but a brat! Yes, I'm very happy. I believe life, everything, has to find its own balance. There's a reason for most things, and I can't wish for it," she added.

A few years back, Eden co-authored her debut children's book, "Barbara and the Djinn," with Dustin Warburton. Four years ago, Eden declared that she had no intention of retiring. "I think I'm so lucky," she expressed. "There are so many people who are employed and despise their jobs, and I love mine."

She added that the only circumstance under which she would retire is if she was compelled to. Last year in August, Eden celebrated her 92nd birthday, with no intention of slowing down. She revealed her plans to dine with her husband and close friends at a Beverly Hills steakhouse and to host family at her home.

In the months following her birthday, Eden was slated to appear at events like the Hazard Fest Autograph Convention Show in October and Rhode Island Comic Con in November.

These events are cherished opportunities for her to engage with her devoted fans, who journey from all corners to meet her. "They're the best fans in the whole world," she shared. "They're very well-read. They're good, nice people. When I step onto the big stage, I speak, and then I do the Q&A, I'm sometimes taken aback. They know more than I do about my work!"

She warmly recalled a young man named Bernard who frequently attends the conventions and seems to know every detail about her work. One of Eden's close friendships was born entirely out of her connection with her viewers. After starring in more than 25 films, 19 TV movies, and 5 TV series over nearly 70 years, fans have a multitude of questions about her illustrious career.