Let me tell you a story about Barbara Eden, the beloved actress best known for her role as Jeannie in the iconic TV show I Dream of Jeannie. Back in 1965, life took an unexpected turn for Barbara when she learned two life-changing pieces of news: her television pilot I Dream of Jeannie was set to premiere, and she was pregnant with her son, Matthew Ansara. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions! Barbara wrote in her 2011 autobiography, Jeannie Out of the Bottle, that after seven years of trying, she and her then-husband, Michael Ansara, were finally going to have a baby.

Welcoming Matthew: A Lucky-Charm Baby

Barbara and Michael, who tied the knot in 1958, became parents to their cherished child on August 29, 1965. They affectionately referred to Matthew as their "lucky-charm baby." In her book, Barbara expressed the overwhelming joy they felt, saying, "Our joy was boundless. We had a child at last, and we loved him more than words could say." It’s clear that Matthew was the light of their lives from the moment he entered the world.

Juggling Career and Motherhood

With the arrival of Matthew, motherhood became Barbara's top priority. Now, here's the kicker—she managed to balance her legendary career with raising her son. But let me tell you, it wasn’t always easy. In fact, Barbara almost walked away from her lead role on I Dream of Jeannie because of the timing of her pregnancy and the show’s premiere. Can you imagine how tough that decision must have been? She was willing to put her career on hold for her child.

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When Barbara approached the show's creator, Sidney Sheldon, to let him know she thought he should probably replace her, she was genuinely surprised by his response. According to her book, Sidney offered his congratulations and assured her she could remain the star of the series. His solution? An ingenious plan to disguise her pregnancy with veils and specific camera angles. Barbara worked on the show until her eighth month of pregnancy, filming eleven episodes during that time. Talk about dedication!

Barbara Eden and Son Matthew Ansara — AP/Shutterstock

Life After Jeannie

When I Dream of Jeannie wrapped up in 1970, Barbara continued pursuing other showbiz opportunities while remaining a devoted mom to Matthew. However, her marriage with Michael faced challenges, and they eventually divorced in 1974 after 16 years together. Barbara then focused on being a single mother. Tragically, she lost her second child with Michael in 1971, miscarrying during her third trimester. She shared with People in October 2021, “I carried my second son for almost eight months before the doctors told me he had died in the womb. It was awful. I became numb.”

Barbara opened up about her emotional struggles during that time, saying, “You just deal with everything every day. I went right back to work and lost a lot of weight. I’d come home and look at my little boy who’s adorable and think, ‘I’m so lucky. I have this sweet child. I have a husband who loves me. What’s wrong with me?’ And nobody told me what was wrong with me. At that time, going to a psychiatrist, people didn’t do it. You just healed yourself. Now, if you feel that bad, you go and get help. When you can’t move or don’t want to do anything, go and get help.”

Matthew’s Legacy

Unfortunately, Matthew struggled with addiction for many years, and on June 26, 2001, he passed away at the age of 35 from a drug overdose. Barbara wrote in her book, “Our joy was boundless, and our hopes that he would live a healthy and happy life were unlimited. Matthew meant everything to both of us, and always would.”

Even more than two decades after Matthew’s heartbreaking death, Barbara’s love and admiration for him remain unwavering. She shared with Closer in August 2021, “It’s a killer. I have his pictures around. He was such a beautiful young man. The only way I can honor him is to talk about him. Don’t pretend like he never was. Because he was a super, super human being.”

For a deeper look into Matthew’s life and a comprehensive glimpse into Barbara’s journey as a mom, scroll through the gallery below.