At 93, Barbara Eden may have discovered the fountain of youth.
The “I Dream of Jeannie” star, who celebrates her birthday on August 23, has no intention of holding back this time. Recently, she appeared at the Fan Boy Expo Comic Con and is set to head to the Wyland Gallery in Orlando, Florida, on October 18 for Adam Scott Rote’s exhibition “Disney Fine Art.”
The actress told Fox News Digital that staying active is the key to looking and feeling young.
‘I Dream of Jeannie’ star Barbara Eden recalls ‘chemistry’ with Larry Hagman, Elvis Presley
Barbara Eden turns 93 on August 23. (Mary Jane Cheshire)
“I always worked out,” Eden said. “I did spinning classes and then I lifted weights with a trainer… When COVID hit, I stopped doing heavy workouts. Now I have a stationary bike and I lift five pounds. I use very light weights, but they’re good for your bones.”
While Eden enjoys keeping fit at home, She misses going to the gym and working together with other people.
“I love the camaraderie and I love the spinning classes,” she said. “It keeps you going. And I’m not a self-starter. I have to remind myself to get on the bike.”
Barbara Eden starred in “I Dream of Jeannie” from 1965 to 1970. (Mary Jane Cheshire)
“I always worked out. I did spinning classes and then I lifted weights with a trainer… When COVID hit, I stopped doing heavy workouts. Now I have a stationary bike and I lift five pounds. I use very light weights, but they’re good for your bones.”
The “I Love Lucy” starlet suggested experimenting with different workout routines to find out what you like and what works for your lifestyle. She added that this also keeps your sweat sessions interesting.
“I remember when aerobics was all the craze,” she said. “It was good for you. I tried it, but no, it wasn’t for me. But walking? Now it’s another thing. If you can walk fast, which I think is all right, it’s good for you. It’s good for your knees and ankles. I like it better than running.”
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Barbara Eden can be seen here as Jeannie in the 1965 film “I Dream of Jeannie.” (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Eden doesn’t just rely on exercising every day. She also eats in moderation, which was taught to her by her parents. It became a habit.
“I was fortunate to have parents who were very conscious of good food and lifestyle,” she said. “My mom’s mantra was ‘everything in moderation.’ That’s the way she lived and that’s the way I lived it too.
“I love Italian food. German too. I love schnitzel, especially when you squeeze lemon on it. It’s delicious. And yes, growing up in San Francisco, we had the best Italian and Chinese food. My friend would disagree. She always says the best food is in New York, but I think it’s in San Francisco.”
Barbara Eden told Fox News Digital that staying busy keeps her feeling young. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Marcel Ramus)
“I eat sugar, too,” she admitted. “I love sweets. I love Key lime pie. My sister got me a pie for my birthday. I also love angel food cake. I make my own angel food cake and then put a really tart, sweet lemon icing on it. And chocolates, of course — I love those. You really can’t keep up with me. You want to get me something? Just get me anything sweet.”
Despite looking stunning on set, Eden said she prefers to follow a simple skincare routine that keeps her skin smooth and supple.
“I wash my face with Cetaphil every night,” she said. “It’s very gentle. I also use Estée Lauder’s Repair Serum every night. I’ve been using serums on my face since I was a teenager. But it’s very important to keep your face clean. When I wear makeup, I remove it with a gentle facial cleanser that lathers. I never go to bed without washing my face. I like to moisturize and go to bed clean.”
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Barbara Eden is seen here with Elvis Presley in “Flaming Star.” (20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)
“I learned how to do makeup on set,” she said. “When you work with the best makeup artists in Hollywood, you get the best artists. So, of course, you have to learn.”
“I learned how to use eyeliner. I had never done that before. I didn’t even know I could do it. But nowadays, it’s easy to learn to apply your own makeup. I remember going to the hospital and the nurses had these beautiful curly eyelashes. It was like being on set!”
Barbara Eden in a swimsuit in the 1962 film “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm.” (Screen Archives/Getty Images)
Eden has had a decades-long successful career in Hollywood and has even worked with several Hollywood actresses. Elvis Presley in “Flaming Star.” The sitcom star said staying busy with work keeps her feeling young.
Barbara Eden starred opposite Larry Hagman in “I Dream of Jeannie.” The actor, who played J.R. Ewing on “Dallas,” died in 2012 at age 81. (Desiree Navarro/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
“It’s very important for me to connect with my fans,” he explained. “First of all, I think I have the best people around me who love my work. Nobody is rude. Nobody is out of line. Everyone is polite and fun to be with — no matter where I go.”
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Eden recalled that during one unforgettable Halloween she ran into a group of “genies.”
“Now, I don’t encourage it at all, but I remember three young college boys came to my front door, and they were all dressed up like Jenny. They were having fun being Jenny with the ponytails, the pink pants – everything. It was fun. Weird, but fun!”
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Barbara Eden has been married to John Eicholtz since 1991. (Araya Doheny/WireImage/Getty Images)
When asked what has kept her motivated over the years, Eden admitted she doesn’t know. The motivation was always there.
“I don’t think about it,” she said. “I think a psychiatrist would say I want to be productive and not sit on a shelf and do nothing. I think if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing, I’d go out and find a job so I could push myself and be part of civilization… If you don’t try, you’re not going to do anything. That’s not good. I say, just keep busy. Be productive. It’s very important… It’s important to me.”
Though Eden has achieved many things during this time, she doesn’t spend her days dwelling on memories. For her, it’s all about moving forward.
Barbara Eden is seen here with her magic lamp. (Eddie Sanderson/Getty Images)
“I don’t think about it that often,” she said. “You just don’t sit down and think. You just go and do it … time goes by and you go with it.”
