Sometimes a star presence takes time to develop, but it often seems like celebs are born with standout poise. Barbara Eden is certainly one such case: a peak at her past proves she had what it takes to be crowned Miss San Francisco 75 years ago. Her star status is still undisputed today, even as she's taken a big step away from showbiz. Read on to see the actress in her victory sash, meet the men who stole her heart and find out what she's up to today...
© Baghdad By The Bay San Francisco via FacebookBarbara was crowned Miss San Francisco in 1951
Miss San Francisco
An uncovered picture of Barbara Eden, then Barbara Huffman, shows that she always had star potential. Sporting a sash declaring her new royal status, Barbara took the crown in 1951.
In 1954 another soon-to-be-famous actress Lee Meriwether took home the title, going on to become Miss California and later Miss America in 1955. Now, she's best known for her work on the Today show and the Batman series.
© Getty ImagesBarbara Eden starred as Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie
Dreams of fame
The actress starred as the 2000-year-old blonde genie Jeannie opposite astronaut Tony Nelson, played by Larry Hagman, in 1965.
I Dream of Jeannie ran for five seasons in as many years, following the adventures of Jeannie and her love for Tony. The franchise returned in 1985 with TV movie I Dream of Jeannie.. Fifteen Years Later and again in 1991 with I Still Dream of Jeannie.
© Getty ImagesBarbara married her first husband in 1958
Life off screen
Barbara Eden wed actor Michael Ansara in 1958, with her husband appearing in three episodes of I Dream of Jeannie. She later wed marketing executive Charles Donald Fegert in 1977 and married architect Jon Eicholtz in 1991.
She and Jon have now been married 35 years and enjoy a more private life away from prying eyes.
© Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesBarbara's son Matthew was born in 1965
Son Matthew
During her first marriage, Barbara welcomed her only child Matthew on 29 August 1965. He even appeared alongside his mother in 1989's Your Mother Wears Combat Boots and showed his showbiz talents on 2001 comedy To Protect and Serve and thriller Con Games the same year.
Matthew wed Julie Ansara in 1993, but the pair divorced after two years of marriage in 1995. He tragically died several years later on 25 June 2001.
© Getty ImagesBarbara Eden has since stepped away from her on-screen career
Where is she now?
At 94, the I Dream of Jeannie star is enjoying a more private life away from acting, though she still shares occasional updates on her own terms.
Her last acting credit came with a voice over reprisal of Jeannie in Master Dearest, from the Diaries of Jeannie for three episodes across 2020,2021 and 2023. Prior to this, she appeared in 2019 festive flick My Adventures with Santa.
