Bari Gayle Berger was born on April 15, 1959, in Mobile, Alabama. On July 3, 1983, she married Dr. Andrew I. Engel in Mobile, Alabama. Andy was born on September 25, 1955, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Bari graduated from Sophie Newcombe. Andy graduated from the University of South Carolina, and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.

The Engels currently live in Charleston, South Carolina, where Bari is a homemaker and Andy is an Optometrist with America's Best Contact Lenses and Eyeglasses. Current plans call for the Engels to move to Charlotte, North Carolina on or about August 1, 1998.