Charles Donald Fegert (1930-2002) was Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News. He married actress Barbara Eden in 1977, divorcing in 1982. He had three children and passed away at age 71.
Charles Donald Fegert built a career in Chicago’s advertising industry that placed him at the top of newspaper marketing in the 1970s. Most people know him as Barbara Eden’s second husband, but his professional life shaped modern newspaper advertising strategies during a critical period for print media.
Who Was Charles Donald Fegert
Charles Donald Fegert, known as Chuck to friends and colleagues, made his name as an advertising executive in Chicago’s competitive newspaper industry. Born in 1930, he climbed from ad salesman to Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at two major Chicago newspapers.
His career spanned the transformation of newspaper advertising from the 1950s through the 1980s. He worked at the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News, managing retail advertising campaigns and building relationships with major advertisers across the Midwest.
Beyond his professional achievements, Fegert became a public figure through his 1977 marriage to Barbara Eden, the actress famous for playing Jeannie in “I Dream of Jeannie.” Their five-year marriage brought him into Hollywood’s spotlight, contrasting sharply with his business-focused life in Chicago.
Early Life in Chicago
Fegert grew up on Chicago’s South Side in a working-class family. His father worked as a steelworker, a tough job that taught young Charles about discipline and hard work. The family lived in a middle-class neighborhood where factory work was common, but Fegert wanted different opportunities.
He attended South Shore High School in Chicago, where he developed social skills and academic focus. After graduating, he enrolled at Loyola University in Chicago. He earned his degree in 1955, gaining the business knowledge and communication abilities that would drive his career forward.
His early years in Chicago’s steel mill district gave him a strong work ethic. He briefly worked in the mills himself before joining the Coast Guard. These experiences shaped his approach to business and helped him connect with clients from various backgrounds.
Career at Chicago Sun-Times
Fegert joined the Chicago Sun-Times as an advertising salesman in 1955, right after college. He didn’t just sell ad space. He built relationships with business owners, created campaigns that worked, and earned a reputation for reliability and results.
His sales performance caught attention quickly. By 1969, he had moved up to advertising manager, overseeing store and retail advertising. His approach focused on understanding client needs and creating ads that connected businesses with readers.
Vice President Role and Responsibilities
In 1972, at age 41, Fegert became Vice President of Advertising and Marketing for both the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News. This dual role gave him influence over advertising strategies at two of Chicago’s most important newspapers.
As VP, he managed large advertising budgets, led creative teams, and developed campaigns that increased revenue. Colleagues remembered his “management by charisma” style. He taught by example, working alongside his sales team rather than just giving orders from an office.
One former colleague noted Fegert’s photographic memory, especially useful in client meetings and strategy sessions. Another called him the person who “added the word ‘smooth’ to Chicago newspaper advertising.”
Fegert held his VP position until 1983, when Rupert Murdoch bought the Sun-Times and brought in his own management team. By then, Fegert had spent nearly three decades shaping how Chicago newspapers approached advertising.
Marriage to Barbara Eden
Meeting and Courtship Years
Fegert met Barbara Eden in 1974 when she was performing in Chicago. He hadn’t seen “I Dream of Jeannie,” but he was drawn to her personality and presence. Their relationship developed over three years of dating.
During courtship, Fegert sent Eden flowers twice daily, often with cards embossed with his initial “C.” He flew to see her more than 30 times, demonstrating the commitment that would characterize their early relationship.
They married on September 3, 1977. The wedding brought Fegert into Hollywood’s world, a dramatic shift from his Chicago business life. Eden was at the height of her fame, and their marriage attracted significant media attention.
The marriage faced challenges from the start. Eden later wrote in her memoir “Jeannie Out of the Bottle” that Fegert’s behavior changed after the wedding. She described him as brilliant and talented but insecure, constantly needing attention.
Eden stated that Fegert became involved with people who drank and used drugs. She also made allegations of domestic violence. The relationship deteriorated over five years, ending in divorce in 1982.
Despite the difficulties, Eden acknowledged Fegert’s intelligence and sales abilities. Their marriage remains a notable chapter in both their lives, though for very different reasons than either might have hoped.
Professional Achievements and Influence
Fegert’s contributions to Chicago’s advertising industry extended beyond his corporate roles. He served as master of ceremonies at charity events across the city, showcasing public speaking abilities that made him popular in Chicago’s business and social circles.
He helped found Chicago’s Special Olympics, demonstrating his commitment to community causes. For years, he volunteered as an emcee at charity functions, using his charisma to support various organizations.
His business interests included restaurants and entertainment venues. He was a partner in Huckleberry’s, a private disco club at 50 E. Oak in Chicago during the era when such venues were popular. He also invested in oil wells in Texas and Oklahoma, diversifying beyond media.
Fegert explored real estate development, applying his marketing skills to property ventures. His understanding of branding and client relationships translated well to real estate, showing his business versatility.
The advertising strategies he developed at the Sun-Times influenced how newspapers approached retail advertising throughout the 1970s. His work came during a period when newspapers faced growing competition from television, making his campaigns particularly important for print media survival.
Family Life and Children
Before Barbara Eden, Fegert had been married twice. His second wife was Trish Althaus, a young model. From his earlier marriages, he had three children: daughter Lisa Fegert and sons Michael and Chip. He was also grandfather to seven grandchildren.
Fegert kept his family life private, shielding his children from media attention that came with his Hollywood marriage. Those close to him described him as a devoted father who valued family deeply.
His daughter Lisa remembered him as fun and entertaining. “He was the funnest dad and the funnest grandpa, always doing imitations and singing,” she said after his death. The grandchildren would gather to sing songs he taught them.
This private side of Fegert contrasted with his public persona. While headlines focused on his marriage to a TV star, his family knew him as someone who brought joy and laughter to gatherings.
Later Years and Death in 2002
After divorcing Eden in 1982, Fegert stepped away from public attention. He continued working in Chicago’s advertising industry, possibly doing consulting work. He never remarried.
Fegert passed away in his sleep on September 25, 2002, at his Chicago home. He was 71 years old. His death was attributed to natural causes related to aging.
His daughter said he didn’t want a traditional funeral. Instead, he requested a celebration of his life with friends gathering to share memories and toast to the years they’d shared.
After the service at Holy Name Cathedral, friends walked to Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, where his son Chip worked as chef. They shared lunch and raised glasses to remember a man who had made his mark on Chicago’s business community.
Charles Fegert’s Legacy
Fegert’s professional legacy lives in the advertising strategies he developed for Chicago newspapers. He shaped retail advertising during a transformative period when print media needed fresh approaches to compete with television.
His estimated net worth reached $2.5 million by his death, reflecting a successful career and smart business decisions. He earned a comfortable living through his advertising work and various business ventures.
The personal side of his legacy is more complex. His marriage to Barbara Eden brought him fame but ended in difficulty. Eden’s public statements about their relationship have shaped much of how people remember him today.
His family remembers him differently. To his children and grandchildren, he was a caring presence who brought entertainment and joy. They recall his songs, his imitations, and the time he spent making them laugh.
Fegert’s story shows how professional success and personal struggles can coexist. He achieved significant career milestones while facing challenges in his private life. His contributions to Chicago’s advertising industry remain his most concrete legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Charles Donald Fegert?
Charles Donald Fegert was Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News, married to actress Barbara Eden from 1977 to 1982.
When did Charles Fegert die?
Charles Fegert died peacefully in his sleep on September 25, 2002, at age 71 in Chicago from natural causes.
How did Charles Fegert and Barbara Eden meet?
They met in 1974 when Barbara Eden was performing in Chicago. They dated for three years before marrying in September 1977.
What was Charles Fegert’s net worth?
His estimated net worth was approximately $2.5 million at death, earned through his advertising career and business investments in real estate and restaurants.
Did Charles Donald Fegert have children?
Yes, he had three children from earlier marriages: daughter Lisa and sons Michael and Chip, plus seven grandchildren.
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