She is loved by everyone, and you can’t imagine who she is

Barbara Eden, the beloved star of I Dream of Jeannie, turned 92 on August 23, continuing to captivate fans with her timeless charm. Decades after enchanting audiences as Jeannie, she remains an icon in Hollywood, though her life has also been marked by deep personal tragedy—the loss of her only son, Matthew Ansara, to a heroin overdose in 2001.

Born during the Great Depression, Eden rose from modest beginnings to build a career in film and television. By the late 1950s, she was appearing in movies and shows, eventually starring alongside Elvis Presley in Flaming Star (1960). Her breakthrough came in 1965 with I Dream of Jeannie, which made her a household name.

That same year, Eden and actor Michael Ansara welcomed their son, Matthew. Their marriage ended after 15 years, a separation Eden later believed profoundly affected Matthew. By his teens, he struggled with drug addiction, a battle that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Despite repeated attempts at rehab, Matthew’s struggles continued. Eden described moments of hope when he seemed to recover, only for addiction to pull him back. In 2001, he was preparing for marriage and enjoying new acting roles when tragedy struck.

On June 26, 2001, Matthew was found dead in his car at age 35, the victim of a heroin overdose. The loss devastated Eden, who has often reflected on his painful journey.

Today, Eden honors her son’s memory while continuing her own career. She has appeared in TV specials, stage productions, and holiday films, remaining active well into her nineties.

At 92, Barbara Eden stands as a symbol of resilience, grace, and enduring beauty—an actress who brought joy to millions while quietly carrying the weight of personal loss.