DOLLVERSITY

Heigth: 5' 9”

Weight: 110 lbs.

Chest: 39”

Waist: 18”

Hips: 33”

Inseam: 38”

Shoe size: 3

Throughout the years, Barbie dolls have tested the limits of social, political and ethnic boundaries with over 250 career options, inspiring girls worldwide to pursue their dreams of becoming anything from a president to an astronaut. Despite its immense popularity, not all of Barbie's releases have been successful.

1959: Barbie is born

Barbie's official birthday is March 9,1959, the day she was unveiled to the toy industry during the New York Toy Fair. Her full name is Barbara Millicent Robers, named after Ruth Handler's daughter, Barbara. The first Barbie doll was sold for $3. Today, the Barbie No. 1 doll is estimated to be worth more than $27,000.

1961: Barbie's boyfriend 1968: Black Barbie 1993: Earring Magic Ken 2002: Pregnant Midge Early '50s

Ruth Handler saw her daughter play dress-up with paper dolls. While her toy choices were limited, her son had a variety of toy options that allowed him to imagine himself as a doctor, astronaut and more. This inspired Ruth to create a doll that could show girls they had choices and could be inspired to be anything they wanted to be.

Mattel introduced Barbie's boyfriend, Ken, the doll named after founders Ruth and Elliot Handler's son, Ken. Two versions of the doll that were originally sold were blond Ken and brunette Ken, both with blue eyes and plastic hair. 1965:

Barbie went galactic four years before man landed on the moon. Miss Astronaut Barbie celebrated the excitement of the space program and exploring new frontiers. Dressed in a cool space suit and helmet, she showed girls they could reach for the stars.

Astronaut Barbie

In support of Equal Rights, Barbie released Christie, one of the first Black dolls. Christie was created as a friend of Barbie and came dressed in a mod-inspired swimsuit with a short '60s hairstyle. 1992:

The first President Barbie came with an American-themed dress for an inaugural ball and a red suit for her duties in the Oval Office. Barbie has been running for president in every election year since.

Presidential Barbie

Released and marketed as a companion to Earring Magic Barbie and friends. The doll was reportedly modeled after rave (queer) culture of the early '90s and was known as “Gay Ken” and “Fey Ken.” Despite being recalled and discontinued just six months after its release, it reportedly remains the best-selling Ken in Barbie history.

Totally Hair Barbie

was released and, according to the Guinness World Records, is Mattel's bestselling Barbie doll to date.

1997: Wheelchair Barbie

Mattel introduced “Share-a-smile Becky,” a Barbie friend who used a wheelchair. Becky was an instant hit, selling as many as 6,000 dolls in the first two weeks. Disability advocates praised Mattel for bringing visibility and representation to wheelchair users. However, kids and collectors soon discovered that Becky's wheelchair didn't fit through the doors and elevator inside of Barbie's Dreamhouse, and the doll was eventually discontinued.

Mattel released a version of Barbie's best friend, Midge, a young pregnant girl with a detachable bump containing Nikki, a tiny articulated baby inside Midge's magnetic removable womb. This sparked controversy with consumers who claimed the doll was inappropriate for children and promoted teen pregnancy. That Midge did not initially have a wedding ring added to the controversy. The doll was discontinued by 2005.

2009:

Sugar Daddy Ken

Released as part of Barbie's “Palm Beach” line. When backlash over the name went public, Mattel released a statement clarifying that the dog's name was Sugar and that Ken was “Sugar's Daddy.” The skeptics weren't convinced and the doll was ultimately discontinued.

2010: Video Girl Barbie

This doll was marketed toward “budding filmmakers” and featured a necklace with a camera and a video screen built into her back. After authorities raised concerns over the potential for using the doll in the production of child pornography, the doll was discontinued in 2012.

Before

New “curvy”

2023 : 2016: Curvy Barbie

After years of criticism leveled at Mattel over Barbie's unrealistic proportions and concerns that the doll reinforced an impossible standard of beauty for girls to meet, Mattel announced the new line of 33 dolls with four body types, seven skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles.

Mattel launched its first Barbie doll with Down's syndrome as part of its diverse Fashionistas line that aimed to offer kids more diverse representation of beauty. The dollmakers worked with the National Down Syndrome Society on the doll's body shape and facial features to accurately represent a person with Down's syndrome.