After her friend and columnist Mike Connolly began making fun of her about the matter, Eden claimed that a different, much earlier interview with the Hollywood Reporter contributed to the legend’s propagation.

“When Mike came in and started teasing me about my belly button, it spread like fire worldwide. We had a good time with it, and I would tease him back, but I had no idea it would become something.”

The classic outfit also helped to establish Eden as a TV sex icon for many people, including well-known admirers like John F. Kennedy, who texted her his phone number, and Elvis Presley.

“I binned the piece of paper, but I wish I still had it,” the actress wrote in her 2011 memoir, Jeannie Out of the Bottle.

Eden has appeared in over 50 movies and, at 91 years old, is still working.

She played Mrs. Claus in her most recent film, My Adventures with Santa, which was released in 2019. The same year the film was produced, Melissa Gardner made her theatrical debut as Melissa Gardner in the production of “Love Letters.”

“I feel young!” Barbara added that she considered herself lucky to do the job she chose. “I feel sorry for people like my poor father who had to work every day at something he didn’t like. I enjoy my work. I still work.”

Barbara claimed that up until a few years ago, she had kept up her gym visits, spin classes, and weightlifting. Now, a trainer visits her home to assist her with resistance training, and the two go on a stroll.

“I have a lot of friends,” the TV legend said. “I’m pretty active socially.”

She even has an appearance lined up for March 2022.

“If I’m around, I’ll be there; I like it,” she jokingly said.

Along with authoring children’s books, Barbara enjoys performing. She co-wrote a book called Barbara and the Djinn about a young girl named Barbara who encounters a “charming and wizardly Genie” who takes her on adventures that are somewhat similar to those in her famous role.

She says she hopes her books will help children realize the value of reading, “now all they do is look at telephones!”

Barbara dismisses the idea that “I Dream of Jeannie” might come across as a bit dated for today’s viewers.

“Come now, this is a classic theme,” she said. “One Thousand and One Nights’? This is a lovely, wonderful fantasy.”

“And let’s be honest here, she was in the driver’s seat, you know. She wasn’t subservient at all.”

Barbara Eden has had an amazing life, made possible by her inspirational attitude and energy. She does prove that age is just a number.

Please share if you, too, love this legendary actress.