Charles Fegert: Bitter Truth Of Barbara Eden’s 2nd Marriage

Charles Donald “Chuck” Fegert was a Chicago advertising executive and the second husband of actress Barbara Eden. Born on November 8, 1930, he built a long career in newspaper advertising and rose to a senior leadership position. He worked with the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News, two important newspapers in the city.

Fegert married Eden on September 3, 1977, and their divorce was finalized in 1983. He was also a father of three and grandfather of seven. Fegert died in Chicago on September 25, 2002, aged 71.

Quick Bio: Charles Fegert

Charles Fegert’s Early Life and Education

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Charles Fegert came from a working-class family and remained closely connected to the city throughout his life. His father worked in the steel industry, and Fegert reportedly spent a short period working around the steel mills himself. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard before attending Loyola University Chicago.

In 1955, he graduated with a degree in business administration. That same year marked the beginning of his newspaper career, giving him the chance to turn his education and natural sales skills into a profession that would last for decades.

Charles Fegert’s Career in Advertising

Charles Fegert began working at the Chicago Sun-Times as an advertising salesman in 1955 and steadily moved into leadership. By 1969, he had become an advertising manager. He later served as Vice President of Advertising and Marketing, with responsibilities connected to both the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News.

His work involved building relationships with advertisers during a changing period for American newspapers. Fegert also became a familiar figure at Chicago business events. His confidence, humor, and speaking ability made him a popular master of ceremonies at banquets, charity functions, and industry gatherings.

How Did Charles Fegert Meet Barbara Eden?

Charles Fegert met Barbara Eden in the 1970s, several years after her marriage to actor Michael Ansara ended. Eden later remembered Fegert as handsome, intelligent, and fun, although her first impression of him was reportedly less positive. He continued pursuing her through phone calls and flowers, and their relationship gradually became serious.

Living in different cities meant that much of their courtship involved travel between Chicago and California. Fegert reportedly made numerous trips to see Eden. Their relationship eventually led to marriage, bringing together a Chicago business executive and one of television’s most recognizable actresses.

Charles Fegert and Barbara Eden’s Marriage

Charles Fegert and Barbara Eden married on September 3, 1977, and made their home in Chicago. Eden moved from California and lived with Fegert in a high-rise condominium near Lake Michigan. The move came with a difficult personal change because her son, Matthew Ansara, remained in California with his father, Michael Ansara. Eden later recalled how emotional that separation was for her.

During the early part of the marriage, she and Fegert attended social events together in Chicago. Their relationship, however, became increasingly troubled and eventually reached a breaking point several years after their wedding.

Why Did Charles Fegert and Barbara Eden Divorce?

Barbara Eden said her marriage to Charles Fegert ended after his behavior and lifestyle created serious problems in their relationship. In her memoir Jeannie Out of the Bottle, she described him as verbally abusive and connected his changing behavior with a social circle involving heavy drinking and cocaine use.

Eden said these problems became serious enough that she chose to leave. These claims reflect her account of their private marriage. The couple separated around March 1982 after roughly five years together. Their divorce was finalized in 1983, bringing Eden’s second marriage to an end.

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Charles Fegert’s Children and Family Life

Charles Fegert was the father of three children: daughter Lisa and sons Michael and Chip Fegert. His children came from relationships before Barbara Eden, and he and Eden had no children together. Family memories reveal a more personal side of Fegert. His daughter Lisa remembered him as an entertaining father and grandfather who enjoyed songs, impressions, jokes, and family gatherings.

He eventually became a grandfather of seven. After his death, his grandchildren reportedly gathered and sang songs he had taught them, showing how music and humor became part of the memories his family carried forward.

Charles Fegert’s Life After Divorce

After his 1983 divorce from Barbara Eden, Charles Fegert returned to a quieter routine in Chicago and continued his connection with the advertising business. Accounts of his later years indicate that he worked in consulting rather than pursuing any role in entertainment. He also remained close to his children and grandchildren.

Unlike the years surrounding his marriage, this period produced few newspaper stories or interviews about his personal life. There is no indication that he sought celebrity attention after the divorce. Instead, his later years were mainly connected with Chicago, his professional experience, and the family relationships described after his death.

When Did Charles Fegert Die?

Charles Fegert died on September 25, 2002, in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 71. Accounts of his final hours say he died peacefully in his sleep. His death came several weeks before what would have been his 72nd birthday on November 8. By then, he had spent decades working in Chicago advertising and had become a father and grandfather with a large family.

His daughter later shared warm memories of his humor and personality. Those family recollections added a personal dimension to the public record of a man better known for business and one famous marriage.

Conclusion

Charles Fegert built his own professional identity through decades of work in Chicago newspaper advertising. Starting as a salesman in 1955, he eventually reached the position of Vice President of Advertising and Marketing and became known in local business circles.

His marriage to Barbara Eden added a highly public and difficult chapter to his personal story, while her memoir later provided her account of why it failed. Fegert’s family remembered another side of him as a humorous father and grandfather. Together, his business career, marriage, children, and family memories provide a fuller picture of his 71-year life.

FAQs

Who Was Charles Fegert?

Charles Fegert was an American newspaper advertising executive and Barbara Eden’s second husband. He held senior advertising and marketing roles connected with the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News.

When Did Barbara Eden and Charles Fegert Get Married?

Barbara Eden and Charles Fegert married on September 3, 1977. They lived together in Chicago, separated around 1982, and finalized their divorce in 1983.

Why Did Barbara Eden Divorce Charles Fegert?

Barbara Eden wrote that the marriage became troubled by Fegert’s behavior, verbal abuse, and a social environment involving heavy drinking and cocaine use. These details come from Eden’s account in her memoir Jeannie Out of the Bottle.

Did Charles Fegert and Barbara Eden Have Children?

No. Charles Fegert and Barbara Eden did not have children together. Fegert had three children from earlier relationships: a daughter named Lisa and two sons, Michael and Chip.

When Did Charles Fegert Die?

Charles Fegert died on September 25, 2002, in Chicago at age 71. Accounts say that he died peacefully in his sleep, several weeks before his 72nd birthday.