Most people hear the name Jon Eicholtz and immediately think: “Barbara Eden’s husband.” And while that connection is real and genuinely beautiful, it tells only a fraction of his story. Jon Eicholtz is a self-made architectural engineer, real estate developer, and philanthropist who spent decades shaping city skylines long before he ever became a household name. His life is proof that quiet ambition and steady hard work can build something that lasts both in concrete and in love.
In this article, you’ll get a complete picture of Jon Eicholtz: his early life in Kansas, his impressive architectural career, his enduring marriage to Barbara Eden, and 7 powerful facts that make his story worth knowing.
Who Is Jon Eicholtz?
Jon Eicholtz is an American architectural engineer, real estate developer, investor, and philanthropist. Born Jon Truesdale Eicholtz in Topeka, Kansas, around 1938 or 1939, he built his reputation over five-plus decades of work in architecture and real estate long before the public spotlight found him.
He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in architectural engineering in 1962, and from that point forward, he dedicated his professional life to designing and managing some of the most ambitious construction projects in the United States. His work on the Commerce Tower, a 30-story skyscraper in Kansas City, Missouri, stands as one of his most well-known contributions to the American urban landscape.
Jon is widely known today as the husband of Barbara Eden, the legendary actress celebrated for her iconic role as Jeannie in the NBC sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970). The couple married on January 5, 1991, at Grace Cathedral Church in San Francisco, and they’ve remained together for over 30 years, a remarkable feat in any circle, let alone Hollywood.
What sets Jon Eicholtz apart from many celebrity spouses is simple: he arrived with his own success story already written. His career, his character, and his commitment to giving back define him just as much as his marriage does.
Jon Eicholtz Early Life and Education
Jon Eicholtz grew up in Topeka, Kansas, a Midwestern city shaped by strong community values and a work-first culture. Details about his parents and siblings are not publicly known, Jon has deliberately kept his family background private throughout his life. That privacy, though, doesn’t diminish what he built from his origins.
From an early age, Jon showed a keen interest in buildings and how they come together. That fascination took him to the University of Kansas, where he enrolled in the architectural engineering program. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1962, graduating with the technical foundation that would define his career.
The University of Kansas has a deep connection to Jon’s story. Decades after he graduated, he and Barbara Eden were invited back to campus by the university’s chancellor. That visit in 2014 ultimately inspired them to establish a scholarship program there, a full-circle moment that speaks to how much Jon values the education that started his journey.
His upbringing in Kansas instilled a sense of groundedness that his closest friends and colleagues consistently describe. Despite his later success and his wife’s immense fame, Jon has always maintained the straightforward, unpretentious character of someone who grew up working for everything.
Jon Eicholtz Career
After finishing his degree, Jon Eicholtz stepped into an industry that rewards precision, vision, and patience exactly the qualities he brought to every project he touched.
Building an Architectural Legacy
Jon Eicholtz led design teams on major construction projects across the United States and internationally. His career highlights include serving as project manager during the design and construction of the Commerce Tower in Kansas City, a 30-story skyscraper that became one of the most recognizable structures in Missouri. Managing a project of that scale requires coordinating architects, engineers, contractors, and city planners across multiple years. It’s not glamorous work in the Hollywood sense, but it demands a level of expertise and leadership that few people master.
Beyond that flagship project, Jon worked across a wide portfolio of developments throughout his career, contributing to residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. His ability to bridge the technical world of engineering with the financial realities of real estate development made him a trusted figure in both fields.
Real Estate Investment and Development
In parallel with his architectural work, Jon Eicholtz built a strong footprint in real estate investment. He developed expertise in identifying valuable projects, managing large-scale developments, and making strategic investment decisions. That combination of architectural knowledge and real estate savvy is relatively rare. Most architects don’t have the business instincts for development, and most developers don’t have the technical grounding in engineering. Jon built both skill sets over a career spanning more than 50 years.
His financial independence built entirely through his own professional work is an important detail. When he married Barbara Eden in 1991, he wasn’t entering the relationship as a beneficiary of her fame. He came as an equal partner, financially and personally.
A Career Built on Integrity
People who’ve worked with Jon consistently note his low-key professionalism and personal integrity. He never sought celebrity. He never leveraged his marriage for business advantage. He simply did the work, project after project, decade after decade and let the results speak for themselves.
Jon Eicholtz and Barbara Eden
Jon Eicholtz met Barbara Eden in 1988. By that point, Barbara was one of America’s most beloved actresses, a cultural icon whose role as Jeannie had cemented her place in television history. Jon, meanwhile, was a successful but decidedly private professional who had no particular interest in fame.
Their first meeting didn’t spark fireworks immediately. Barbara herself has said she was cautious about new relationships after two previous marriages. She’d married actor Michael Ansara in 1958, and the couple had a son, Matthew Ansara, born in 1965. After their divorce in 1974, Barbara married Charles Donald Fegert in 1977, but that marriage ended in 1982.
Jon’s patience and consistency won her over. They dated for nearly two years before he proposed, and they married on January 5, 1991, in a small, intimate ceremony at Grace Cathedral Church in San Francisco. No red carpet, no press junkets just family, close friends, and a couple genuinely in love.
What Makes Their Marriage Work
Barbara Eden has spoken openly about the qualities that have kept their marriage strong for more than three decades. In a 2021 interview with People, she put it simply: “I’m really lucky. I have a wonderful family, a very supportive husband.”
In another interview with Closer Weekly, she offered more practical wisdom. “You should walk in the other person’s shoes if you’re having a little problem. Try to see their side of it.” She also pointed out that she and Jon don’t always like the same things, she doesn’t enjoy golf or watching baseball but she’ll watch games with him simply because she loves being with him. That’s a small thing, but it tells you something real about the health of their relationship.
Jon has always been Barbara’s biggest supporter. He attends her events, encourages her work, and gives her the space to keep doing what she loves. Barbara has said he “likes what I do. He likes me doing it.” That kind of genuine support without ego or competition is rare, and it shows in how both of them talk about their life together.
Jon and Barbara have no biological children together. Barbara’s only child, Matthew Ansara, tragically died in 2001 from a drug overdose at age 35. The loss was devastating, and Jon was by Barbara’s side through the grief. Their bond, strengthened through that pain, only deepened their commitment to each other.
7 Powerful Facts About Jon Eicholtz
Here are seven facts about Jon Eicholtz that paint a more complete picture of who he is.
1: His full name is Jon Truesdale Eicholtz. He was born with the middle name Truesdale, a detail he’s never made a point of publicizing, fitting perfectly with his private nature.
2: He earned his architecture degree from the University of Kansas in 1962. That degree launched a career that would span more than five decades and take him across the United States and internationally.
3: He managed the construction of the Commerce Tower in Kansas City. This 30-story skyscraper remains one of the most iconic buildings in Missouri, and Jon Eicholtz played a central role in bringing it to life.
4: He married Barbara Eden on January 5, 1991. Their wedding at Grace Cathedral Church in San Francisco was intentionally small. They chose quiet over spectacle, a choice that seems to define their entire relationship.
5: He was previously married before Barbara. Jon’s first wife passed away from breast cancer. He cared for her through her illness with compassion and loyalty, a fact that speaks directly to his character.
6: He and Barbara established a scholarship program at the University of Kansas in 2014. After visiting the campus at the invitation of the university’s chancellor, Jon and Barbara set up the scholarship to support students pursuing their educational passions. It’s a philanthropic gesture rooted in Jon’s deep connection to his alma mater.
7: He maintains virtually no social media presence. In an era when everyone is broadcasting their lives online, Jon Eicholtz has no Instagram, no Facebook, no Twitter. He occasionally appears on Barbara’s official Instagram account, @officialbarbaraeden, but that’s it. He lives his life off-screen, and that choice feels entirely deliberate.
Jon Eicholtz Net Worth
Jon Eicholtz’s net worth is estimated to exceed $1 million, accumulated through his long career in architectural engineering and real estate development. That figure reflects his personal earnings independent of Barbara Eden, whose own net worth is estimated at $9 to $10 million based on her decades of work in film, television, and stage performances.
Together, their combined financial picture is substantial, but what’s more notable is that Jon’s wealth was never dependent on Barbara’s fame. He built his financial standing through his own work in industries that demand deep expertise and sustained performance.
His real estate investments, combined with fees from major construction projects over 50-plus years, created the kind of quiet, durable financial security that comes from knowing your field and working it consistently. There are no overnight-success headlines in Jon Eicholtz’s financial story just decades of professional discipline.
Jon Eicholtz and Philanthropy
One of the most meaningful chapters in Jon Eicholtz’s story is the scholarship program he and Barbara established at the University of Kansas in 2014. The initiative grew directly from a campus visit with the university’s chancellor, and it reflects both Jon’s deep roots in Kansas and his belief in the power of education to change lives.
The scholarship supports deserving students pursuing their educational passions, a mission that echoes Jon’s own journey from a Kansas upbringing to a successful national career powered entirely by the skills he developed through his University of Kansas education.
Philanthropy in this form is particularly meaningful because it’s personal. This wasn’t a corporate donation or a publicity move. It was Jon Eicholtz returning to the place that shaped him and investing in the next generation of students who might follow a similar path. That kind of giving, rooted in genuine gratitude and purpose, tends to have a lasting impact.
Is Jon Eicholtz Still Alive?
Yes, Jon Eicholtz is still alive. Born around 1938 or 1939 in Topeka, Kansas, he is believed to be in his mid-to-late 80s as of 2025. He continues to live a private, fulfilling life alongside Barbara Eden in their longtime home, a house Barbara has described as the center of her world for over 40 years.
Barbara Eden, who celebrated her 92nd birthday in August 2023, has consistently spoken warmly about their shared life. She’s described their home as an “oasis of calm” and said their life together revolves around family, friends, their dog Bentley, and each other. By all accounts, Jon Eicholtz is healthy, private, and very much present in Barbara’s life.
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FAQs
What does Jon Eicholtz do for a living?
Jon Eicholtz is an architectural engineer and real estate developer. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he worked on major construction projects across the United States, including the Commerce Tower in Kansas City. He also built a successful portfolio of real estate investments. He is now largely retired from active professional work.
How old is Jon Eicholtz?
Jon Eicholtz was born around 1938 or 1939 in Topeka, Kansas. He has never publicly confirmed his exact birth date. As of 2025, he is believed to be approximately 85 to 87 years old.
What is Jon Eicholtz’s net worth?
Jon Eicholtz’s net worth is estimated at over $1 million, built through his career in architectural engineering and real estate development. His wife Barbara Eden’s net worth is estimated between $9 and $10 million. Together, their combined wealth is estimated at around $12 million.
When did Jon Eicholtz marry Barbara Eden?
Jon Eicholtz married Barbara Eden on January 5, 1991. The ceremony was held at Grace Cathedral Church in San Francisco and was kept small and private, with only family members and close friends in attendance.
Does Jon Eicholtz have children?
Jon Eicholtz does not have biological children with Barbara Eden. Barbara had one child, son Matthew Ansara, from her first marriage to actor Michael Ansara. Matthew tragically passed away in 2001 from a drug overdose at age 35.
Who was Jon Eicholtz married to before Barbara Eden?
Jon Eicholtz was married once before Barbara Eden, but he has kept the details of that relationship private. His first wife passed away from breast cancer. Jon cared for her through her illness and has not spoken publicly about this chapter of his life beyond what close acquaintances have shared.
What is Jon Eicholtz’s birthday?
Jon Eicholtz has never publicly confirmed his exact birthday. Some sources cite August 22, 1939, as his birth date, while others suggest he was born in 1938. His birth year is most commonly cited as 1938 or 1939.
Who is Jon Eicholtz’s wife?
Jon Eicholtz’s wife is Barbara Eden, the American actress and singer best known for starring as Jeannie in the NBC sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970). Barbara has been married to Jon since January 1991. She was previously married to actor Michael Ansara (1958–1974) and Charles Donald Fegert (1977–1982).
What university did Jon Eicholtz attend?
Jon Eicholtz attended the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering in 1962. His connection to the university remained strong, he and Barbara Eden returned to the campus in 2014 and established a scholarship program to support students there.
Is Jon Eicholtz on social media?
No, Jon Eicholtz does not have any personal social media accounts. He has no Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter presence. He occasionally appears in photos on Barbara Eden’s official Instagram account, @officialbarbaraeden, but keeps his own digital footprint essentially nonexistent.
Where does Jon Eicholtz live?
Jon Eicholtz lives with Barbara Eden in their longtime home in Los Angeles. Barbara has described the house as a place they’ve called home for over 40 years and their “oasis of calm.” The couple lives a private, low-key life there along with their dog Bentley.
What buildings did Jon Eicholtz design?
Jon Eicholtz is best known for his role as project manager during the design and construction of the Commerce Tower in Kansas City, Missouri, a 30-story skyscraper and one of the most iconic structures in the region. Over his career, he contributed to numerous residential, commercial, and mixed-use construction projects throughout the United States.
Who was Barbara Eden’s first husband?
Barbara Eden’s first husband was actor Michael Ansara, whom she married in 1958. Ansara was known for roles in Broken Arrow and Star Trek: The Original Series. The couple had a son, Matthew Ansara, in 1965, and divorced in 1974.
What is Jon Eicholtz’s biography?
Jon Eicholtz, born Jon Truesdale Eicholtz around 1938–1939 in Topeka, Kansas, is an American architectural engineer, real estate developer, investor, and philanthropist. He earned his degree from the University of Kansas in 1962 and went on to build a career spanning more than 50 years. He is married to actress Barbara Eden since 1991. Together, they established a scholarship at the University of Kansas in 2014. Jon is known for his professionalism, privacy, and steady commitment to both his work and his family.
Conclusion
Jon Eicholtz’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t always arrive loudly. He built his life deliberately — studying engineering in Kansas, spending decades in architecture and real estate, caring for those he loved through difficult times, and eventually finding a lasting partnership with one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures.
The key takeaways from his story are clear: he earned his success independently, he prioritized character over celebrity, he gave back to the institution that shaped him, and he built a marriage that has lasted more than 30 years because both partners chose to invest in it every day.
Jon Eicholtz isn’t famous for a viral moment or a headline-grabbing achievement. He’s notable because he lived with consistency and integrity across a lifetime. And that, honestly, is a more powerful story than most.
If you found this profile valuable, explore more inspiring biographies and deep-dive profiles at iMagazine4u, where we cover the real people behind the famous names.
