Barbara Eden TURNS 90!
Woman's Day Australia|August 30, 2021
As she hits a major milestone, the I Dream Of Jeannie actress looks back on her extraordinary life in Hollywood
Barbara Eden TURNS 90!

It seems we were the ones who blinked – more than 50 years have passed and now I Dream Of Jeannie’s bubbly blonde star Barbara Eden is celebrating her 90th birthday!

And after all this time, the actress still has that special spark that made her a household name back in the 1960s.

“I think the secret to feeling great is to keep active, do things that you love and have a good sense of humour,” says Barbara, who’s still acting in theatre shows and recently released her first children’s book, Barbara And The Djinn.

Despite starring in several hit 1960 films such as Flaming Star and From The Terrace, the star will always be best known for her role as effervescent Jeannie alongside Larry Hagman in the sitcom that aired from 1965 until 1970, and then in reruns for decades after.

“I never thought about being typecast because I was always working,” says Barbara of her classic role, which earned her two Golden Globe nominations.

DOUBLE THE HAPPY

NEWS But the actress admits she feared she’d lose the part as quickly as she landed it.

“I found out I was pregnant the day the show was sold,” says Barbara, who married actor Michael Ansara in 1958 and welcomed their son Matthew in 1965. “His [show creator Sidney Sheldon] face fell. He was very upset. But God bless him – he worked it out.”

This story is from the August 30, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 30, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN'S DAY AUSTRALIAView All
ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'

We hit the set of the sunny spin-off to Death In Paradise and meet the cast!

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
Woman's Day Australia

5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH

His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series has a new instalment

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Rolling the DICE
Woman's Day Australia

Rolling the DICE

Hobart's iconic Wrest Point Hotel Casino is looking better than ever

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
Woman's Day Australia

UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE

Quality of life is at the forefront of this approach

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!
Woman's Day Australia

OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!

When Runt arrived in town, locals couldn't wait to play a part!

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'

The mum-of-two speaks with affection about her daughters

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'
Woman's Day Australia

KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'

He's sick of playing second fiddle to a string of hunky co-stars

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!
Woman's Day Australia

GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!

The Voice Australia gets an ultimatum from its number-one coach Guy Sebastian

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman's Day Australia

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD
Woman's Day Australia

ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD

He's often seen as one of the nicest guys in music, but Ed Sheeran's cousin has exposed their secret feud - and claimed that Ed has even made legal threats against him!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024