Charles Donald Fegert may not be a household name like Barbara Eden, but he played a big part in her life. He was her second husband, and their love story lasted for several years. While Barbara was a Hollywood star, Charles Donald Fegert was a business leader working in advertising.
Many people only know him as “Barbara Eden’s ex-husband,” but there is so much more to his story. He was smart, charming, and worked hard to build a great career. In this article, we’ll take a simple look at who he was — his early life, career, love story with Barbara, and how his life turned out.
Charles Donald Fegert Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Donald Fegert |
| Nickname | Chuck (used by Barbara Eden) |
| Born | 1930, Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | 2002, aged 72, in Chicago |
| Profession | Advertising Executive, Salesman |
| Known For | Ex-husband of actress Barbara Eden, Advertising Vice President |
| Married To | 1) Trish Althaus (model, divorced in the 1970s) 2) Barbara Eden (married 1977, divorced 1983) |
| Children | 4 children: Michael, Chip, Lisa, and one unnamed child. |
| Grandchildren | 7 grandchildren |
| Education | Loyola University, Bachelor of Business Administration |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $2.5 million |
| Early Life | Grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Father worked at a steel company. |
| Career Highlights | Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at Chicago Sun-Times and Daily News. Worked in various industries like oil wells, restaurants, and charity. |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes related to aging. Passed away in his sleep in 2002. |
Who was Charles Donald Fegert?
Charles Donald Fegert was a successful salesman and advertising executive. Most people remember him because he was married to I Dream of Jeannie actress Barbara Eden. But outside of that, he had a big life of his own.
He worked at major newspapers and became a Vice President of Advertising and Marketing. He was also known for being fun, friendly, and a great speaker at public events. People called him “Chuck,” and Barbara used that name for him too.
He had three marriages in his life, including the one with Barbara. He also had four children and later became a loving grandfather. Charles lived in Chicago and kept most of his life away from the spotlight. His net worth was said to be around $2.5 million, thanks to his long career in sales.
Charles Donald Fegert’s Early Life
Charles was born in 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the South Side of the city in a simple, middle-class family. Life wasn’t full of fame or money, but it was honest and hardworking. His father worked for a steel company, which was a common job in that area back then.
As a kid, Charles probably didn’t imagine he would one day marry a Hollywood star. But from the start, he showed signs of being smart and driven. He went to South Shore High School, where he finished his early education. After that, he set his sights on business and college.
He later attended Loyola University in Chicago. There, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. This education helped him take his first steps into the world of business and advertising.
Charles Donald Fegert’s First Jobs
Before his big success in the media, Charles Donald Fegert had to start with smaller, tougher jobs. He first worked in the mills, which were physically hard jobs. It wasn’t easy work, but it taught him discipline and gave him the strength to push forward in life.
He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard for a period of time. That experience gave him even more skills and life lessons. It helped shape his character — making him more confident, responsible, and organized.
These early roles didn’t bring him fame, but they helped him become the strong and successful man he would later be.
Starting His Career in Sales
In 1955, Charles got a job at the Chicago Sun-Times as a salesman. This was a big step in his professional life. He quickly showed that he was not just a regular salesman — he was talented and had a special gift for talking to people and closing deals.
Because of his strong sales skills, he started moving up the ladder. He didn’t just stay in one spot. He worked in different advertising roles, including store advertising and retail marketing. Charles Donald Fegert was someone who always gave his best, and people around him noticed.
In just a few years, he became well-known in the media advertising world. He had a mix of business smarts and natural charm, which helped him do well in everything he tried.
Charles Donald Fegert’s Big Success
In 1969, Charles Donald Fegert joined the Chicago Daily News, which was another big newspaper. There, he continued to grow his career and eventually became the Vice President of Advertising and Marketing — not just at one, but at both the Sun-Times and Daily News.
He helped both newspapers grow by creating strong ad strategies. Charles was known for his teamwork and friendly style. Even as a high-level boss, he treated others with kindness and respect.
Outside the office, he was also a master of ceremonies at events in Chicago. He knew how to talk to a crowd, make people laugh, and keep things fun. Some even compared him to entertainer Georgie Jessel, who was famous for hosting big events.
Charles also worked on other business ideas, like oil wells, disco clubs, and restaurants. On top of that, he supported charity work and stayed involved in the community. His life was full of action — not just in the office, but in many areas.
Charles’ Love Story with Barbara Eden
Charles met Barbara Eden in 1974 while she was performing in Chicago. At the time, he had never seen her famous TV show I Dream of Jeannie, but he still told her she was his fantasy dream girl. That simple but bold statement started something special.
He wanted to impress her, so he began sending her flowers every morning and evening. The flowers didn’t come with a long note — just a small card with the letter “C”. This mystery and charm caught Barbara’s attention, and soon she agreed to go out with him.
She later described him as tall, fair, and very handsome. He was also thoughtful and knew how to treat a woman kindly. Their early days were full of romance, surprises, and long-distance visits. Charles Donald Fegert even flew more than 30 times just to spend time with her before they got married.
Charles Married Barbara Eden
After dating for about three years, Charles and Barbara got married on September 3, 1977. It was a big moment for both of them. Barbara was a Hollywood star, and Charles Donald Fegert was a well-known advertising man from Chicago.
After the wedding, Barbara left Los Angeles and moved into Charles’ condo in Chicago. It was a fancy place that cost over $250,000 at the time. Their new home had a mirrored Jacuzzi in the bedroom and looked over the beautiful lakefront.
Charles used to say things like, “Barbara will make a spectacular wife once I get her in the kitchen.” That kind of humor showed his old-school charm, but it also made people raise eyebrows.
At first, things seemed happy. But not everything was easy. Barbara couldn’t bring her son Matthew Ansara to Chicago. Her ex-husband had filed for custody, and Matthew wanted to stay in Los Angeles with his friends.
This was hard for Barbara. She missed her son and had to live in a new city far away from her family. Even though Charles had made big efforts to win her love, the challenges started to show up after marriage.
Why the Marriage Ended
After some time, their marriage began to fall apart. Barbara later shared that Charles changed after they got married. He started spending time with people who drank too much and used drugs.
She also said he became abusive and very hard to live with. He was no longer the fun and sweet man who had sent flowers. Now, he needed too much attention and didn’t like being ignored. Barbara said he acted like a spoiled child who always wanted to be the center of attention.
They separated in March 1982, and their divorce was final in 1983. Barbara said she had married him during a lonely time in her life. At first, he made her laugh and feel loved. But later, things became painful, and she knew she had to leave.
Charles’ Other Marriage
Before marrying Barbara Eden, Charles had already been married twice. One of those wives was Trish Althaus, a young model in her early twenties. They got married at Kraft Chapel in the North Shore Baptist Church.
Charles and Trish had two children together. But sadly, that marriage also ended in divorce in the 1970s. The name of his first wife isn’t known, but he had another child from a previous relationship.
In total, Charles had four children — sons Michael and Chip, and daughters Lisa and one more whose name is not public. He also had seven grandchildren, and he was very proud of them.
His daughter once said that Charles was a fun father and a loving granddad. Even though his marriages didn’t last, his children and grandchildren stayed close to him and remembered him with love.
Charles Donald Fegert’s Death
Charles Donald Fegert passed away peacefully in his sleep in 2002. He was 72 years old when he died. The cause was natural, related to aging. He died in Chicago, the city where he had lived and worked most of his life.
His daughter shared that after he died, his grandchildren gathered and sang songs he had taught them. It was a sweet and simple moment that showed how much he had meant to his family.
Even though he lived a private life in the later years, he left behind warm memories and a legacy filled with laughter, work, and family stories.
Final Thoughts
Charles Donald Fegert had a big life — full of hard work, love stories, and personal challenges. He started from simple roots and worked his way up in the business world. He was smart, funny, and always knew how to talk to people.
While most people remember him as Barbara Eden’s second husband, he had his own identity — as a father, a businessman, and a kind man who gave back to his community.
His love story with Barbara Eden was short but meaningful. It shows how love can begin with flowers and charm, but also how things can change. In the end, Charles Donald Fegert lived a life full of ups and downs — just like many of us — and his story is one worth knowing.
(FAQs)
What did Charles Donald Fegert do for a living?
He worked in advertising and sales. He became the Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Daily News.
When was Charles Donald Fegert born?
He was born in 1930 in Chicago, Illinois.
Was Charles Donald Fegert married to Barbara Eden?
Yes. He married Barbara Eden in 1977. They divorced in 1983 after about five years of marriage.
How did Charles Donald Fegert meet Barbara Eden?
He met her in 1974 while she was performing in Chicago. He charmed her by sending flowers every day without a note — just a card with the letter “C”.
Why did Barbara Eden and Charles Fegert get divorced?
Barbara said that Charles changed after marriage. He became controlling, spent time with people who drank and used drugs, and eventually became abusive. She left for her safety and peace of mind.
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