Barbara Eden's Best Revenge Dresses After Her 1982 Divorce
Many know Barbara Eden from her titular role in "I Dream of Jeannie." The star was just 34 years old when the series premiered in 1965. Since then, Eden has undergone a stunning transformation. She's also been divorced twice.
While starring in "I Dream of Jeannie," Eden was married to her first husband, fellow actor Michael Ansara. The pair divorced in 1973 after 15 years together. Four years later, Eden married Charles Donald Fegert. They were together for five years before calling it quits. In a 2011 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Eden explained, "When I met Chuck Fegert in 1977, I was lonely. He was handsome, intelligent and initially loads of fun. But once we married, he began to run with a crowd that drank and used cocaine. He then became abusive, so I left."
After that, Eden was newly in her 50s and freshly single. And, according to her, "In my 50s I never expected to find love." She did eventually remarry in 1991. In the interim, though, she proved that she was happy and confident on her own. She also wasn't afraid to stun the world in revenge dresses.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
She made a black dress look anything but simple
At this point, most of us know that being over 50 doesn't mean you need to trade your mini-skirts for muumuus. If you still believe you can't look better than ever in your 50s, though, allow this revenge look Barbara Eden rocked at 53 to change your mind. Eden and Donald Fegert separated in 1982, but the divorce wasn't finalized until 1983. Given that the relationship didn't end on good terms, it's safe to guess that by the time she was officially divorced, Eden was excited for her formally single life.
In 1984, she attended the 29th Annual Thalians Ball, looking radiant in a body-hugging black-printed, jewel-covered evening gown. The gown was elegant and statement-making without being too loud, and it showed off her curves without looking overdone or uncomfortable. And this is the perfect criteria for a winning revenge dress.
She stole the spotlight in a very bold look
One of the most important parts of wearing a revenge outfit is rocking it with a ton of confidence. And it definitely takes confidence to wear a loud, brightly colored, rhinestone-covered dress. In 1988, Barbara Eden attended a tribute to Cary Grant in Beverly Hills, looking stunning and totally '80s. Eden was 57 at the time and five years post-divorce from Donald Fegert. Evidently, though, her desire for revenge dressing hadn't gone anywhere.
Eden sported a form-fitting gown with a notably low neckline and a high slit. On its own, that silhouette is a bit more daring than what the average person might be comfortable wearing. Yet, Eden took it a step further with a bold purple, pink, and blue rhinestone print that covered the whole dress. For even more drama, she styled the look with big, voluminous locks and long black gloves, proving she wasn't afraid to be the center of attention.
She stunned in a metallic look that made her look like the star she is
That same year, Barbara Eden sported one of her best looks ever that would surely fill any ex with regret. The actor looked like the ultimate superstar at the 1988 Variety Club International Dinner Gala honoring Mike Frankovich. Once again, she donned voluminous, teased hair that was a perfect fit for the late '80s beauty trends. She paired the blonde bob with fairly understated makeup that let her natural beauty shine through.
Her metallic, printed dress was, once again, anything but forgiving. While slinky, though, it was still tasteful with long sleeves and a square neckline. She styled the look with a white fur coat, and bold, dangly, light-catching earrings, paired with a bedazzled clutch. Together, these accessories made for the quintessential movie star vibe and made Eden look like a million bucks.
She nearly bared it all in a see-through number
Of all of Barbara Eden's revenge dresses, the see-through gown she sported in a 1990 portrait takes the cake. It's hard to believe Eden would soon be turning 60 when she posed for these photos. The star shined in a dress that left little to the imagination: gold, very sheer fabric with what looked like basically nothing underneath. As if wearing a dress that puts this much on display isn't attention-grabbing enough, it was also covered in a gold glitter pattern.
The high neck and floor-length hemline gave the look a much-needed balance. She styled it with nude heels and minimal makeup, rocking a voluminous blowout, simple jewelry, and red nails. This look definitely made a statement. And it was the perfect revenge dress to close out her single era. The following year, she tied the knot with her third husband Jon Eicholtz, and the duo remains happily married decades later.