You might feel as though you know everything there is to know about Barbie after watching Barbie, the movie, which has brought the iconic doll (again) into the spotlight in a big manner. The doll has been around for over 60 years, so there is a lot of history, and it is not only about her clothing. (Although we'll acknowledge that fashion plays a significant part.)
While you may be aware that Barbie has held a variety of jobs, from astronaut to doctor, you might be surprised to realize just how many this one doll has held. We all admire Barbie for her distinctive pink obsession and her ability to navigate trends (good and bad). She had to find a way to pay for her Dream Home!
You probably have no idea who Barbie's largest collector is, how many siblings she has, or how Barbie and Ken received their names. A word of caution: after reading this, you might want to check your mother's basement to see if she has any of the priciest dolls—or the all-time best-selling Barbie. Even if you consider yourself a big fan, we have a feeling that you could be surprised by a few amusing facts on this list about Barbie.
1. She was born on March 9, 1959.
Barbie was "born" on the day that Ruth Handler, the president of Mattel and the creator of the doll, unveiled it at the American International Toy Fair in New York.
2. Paper dolls served as her inspiration.
When Ruth witnessed her daughter playing with paper dolls and pretending they were students, cheerleaders, and career women, she made the decision to build a three-dimensional doll.
3. However, she was based on a scandalous German doll.
Barbie was physically modeled after the 1952 German doll Build Lilly, which was based on Lilly, a high-end call-girl who appeared in the comic strip Build Rating. She was not marketed as a toy for kids; rather, she was offered as an adult oddity at bars and cigarette stores. While on vacation in Europe, Ruth came across the Build Lilly doll and brought it back.
4. Barbara Millicent Roberts is her full name.
Barbara Handler, the daughter of Ruth and Elliot Handler, inspired the name Barbie. Barbara took part in the 2002 ceremony that resulted in the cementing of Barbie's hand and footprints on Hollywood Boulevard.
5. Barbie and Ken were given sibling names.
Given that Ken was named after the Handlers' son Kenneth, one of the most well-known fictitious couples in history, Barbie and Ken were actually modeled after a brother and sister.
6. Barbie and Ken actually had a previous breakup.
After breaking up in 2004, Barbie and Ken reconciled on Valentine's Day 2011. Her "heart only beats for Ken,"Barbie" admitted to her Facebook followers.
7. She engaged in a second marriage.
Barbie got a new male companion doll named Blaine Gordon, an Australian boogie boarder, after she and Ken broke up. Ken eventually made a comeback as a new and improved Ken.
8. She wrote a series of books about her life.
In the 1960s, a Random House book series detailed Barbie's origin story. Her parents' names, George and Margaret, who have never been dolls, were mentioned in the series.
9. Barbie is a native of Wisconsin.
She has that Midwest charm for a reason, after all! In the made-up town of Willows, Wisconsin, Barbie was "born."
10. She is part of a big family.
There are seven siblings for Barbie. Skipper first appeared in 1964, followed by the twins Todd and Tutti in 1965, and Stacie in 1990. Kelly was available from 1994 to 2010 before Chelsea were launched in 2011 to take Kelly's place. From 1998 until 2001, Kristy, the youngest sibling of Barbie, was marketed as a set alongside Barbie and Ken.
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