Happy birthday to world’s No1 doll
And as Barbie turns 60 this week there’s still not a grey hair in sight.
The world’s best-selling doll – real name Barbie Millicent Roberts – has inspired generations of girls.
Over 58million Barbies are sold each year – that’s 100 every minute. Today, 90 per cent of American girls own one. And she has her own Instagram account plus 5million Youtube subscribers.
Blonde, blue-eyed Barbie was created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of toy company Mattel, as a role model for girls, with interchangeable clothes.
She was named after Ruth’s own daughter Barbara, four. The $3 doll launched on March 9, 1959 – 350,000 were sold by Christmas.
In 1961 Barbie got a boyfriend – named Ken after Ruth’s son.
INSPIRED
Since then Barbie has been a zoologist, architect, fashion editor, surgeon, vet, gymnast and CEO.
She has inspired art – Andy Warhol painted her in 1986 – hosted her own catwalk show at New York Fashion Week and been on Time Magazine’s cover.
Who can forget Aqua’s Barbie Girl – UK No1 for three weeks in 1997 – even if they tried?
Ruth, who died in 2002, insisted: “Barbie represented the fact that a woman has choices.”
But she caused controversy too. Feminists burned Barbies for being a “symbol of male oppression.”
Scientists said a real woman with her envyinducing dimensions would be 7ft tall with a 60in bust and 12in waist...and a neck that would snap.
She was reshaped in 1998 and now sells with different skin tones, in tall, curvy and petite body shapes – and even with a prosthetic leg.
Lisa Mcknight, Mattel’s Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, said: “As long as we’re inclusive and reflect the real world, Barbie has staying power for another 60 years.” 1963 Pin-up Barbie
With pals Christie & Stacey in ‘96 special edition New-style doll came in 2016 Pregnant Barbie from 2019 Astronaut outfit was a hit in 1969 Leotard & leg warmer look in 80s Barbie runs for Pres in Ruth & dolls in 60s Farrah Fawcett edition