To celebrate the 65th anniversary on March 9, 2024, Barbie debuted a new signature doll. These anniversary dolls are dressed in a classic black and white stripped couture gown, inspired by the original 1959 Barbie.
PHOTOS: The evolution of the iconic Barbie doll throughout the years
Barbie has come a long way in her many years on shelves and in the hands of girls around the world. First introduced to the world on March 9, 1959, Barbie was created to be a woman with a plethora of opportunities in the world, from astronaut and dentist to Olympic gold medalist and the first female President of the United States. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts and comes from the (fictional) hometown of Willows, Wisconsin. Here is a look at how the iconic doll has evolved throughout history.
Barbie is born! The first-ever Barbie doll was introduced to the world on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair. Barbie was the creation of businesswoman Ruth Handler for her daughter Barbara, nicknamed Barbie. Handler wanted an adult female doll for her daughter to play with rather than the baby dolls girls at that time were sold. In her classic black and white knit swimsuit, the original Barbie came either as a brunette or blonde.
A young boy (L) looks on and scratches his head in confusion as a younger girl inspects the new line of “Ken” dolls from Mattel in 1961. Ken, whose last name is Carson, was introduced as a love interest for the popular Barbie (last name Roberts) dolls. Here, Ken is shown in various outfits including a tuxedo, pajamas, a bathrobe, a jacket, a college-type sweater and a t-shirt and boxer shorts.
A girl in pigtails sings along with a “Barbie Sings” record, which plays on a portable phonograph player, in 1961. Two dolls, Barbie and Ken, stand on the phonograph.
Formal wear Barbie & Ken are posed together in front of a toy closet on Dec. 15, 1964.
Charlotte Johnson, director of fashion for the highly successful Barbie doll, who is photographed here with a doll in 1964, works in a world of one-sixth-scale clothing.
Seven-year-old Becky Ray, the 400,000th member of the Barbie Doll Fan Club, is all smiles as she poses with two “Bubblecut” Barbie dolls, each wearing a dress and gloves in Miami, Florida in 1965.
Over the decades, Barbie has had many careers, including a business executive, pilot, astronaut, teacher and singer.
Over 20 years after the original Barbie was introduced to the market, Mattel released the African-American Barbie and Ken dolls in 1980. Though there had been an African-American doll in prior collections, the one shown on the right was named as the official African-American Barbie.
After being introduced wearing a chic black and white swimsuit, it’s no wonder Barbie became a fashion icon and muse to many designers. Here, multiple dolls wear miniature outfits designed by Yves Saint Laurent in Paris on Jan. 1, 1989.
Barbie soon became a college student and cheerleader. In the late 1990s, Barbie sported many school uniforms, including Duke, the University of Tennessee and the University of Michigan.
Astronaut Barbie dolls, from left, the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s, sit on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. on May 1, 1995. Barbie as a character is known for her many professions.
The first Puerto Rican Barbie doll was introduced in 1997. It was around this time that Mattel created numerous other dolls to celebrate different cultures around the world.
Seen in one of her many professions, a dentist Barbie doll is displayed on Feb. 10, 1997, in New York during the first day of the International Toy Center annual fair.
Ruth Handler, Mattel Inc. co-founder and inventor of the Barbie Doll, displays the special 40th anniversary Barbie at a press conference on Feb. 7, 1999, in New York.
Jill Barad, left, chief executive officer of Mattel, Inc., poses with U.S. Postal Service consumer advocate Francia Smith, right, and actress Millicent Roberts as “Barbie” with a poster of the new postage stamp portraying the Barbie Doll during an announcement ceremony on Aug. 24, 1999, at Mattel headquarters in El Segundo, Calif. One of 15 postage stamps chosen by the public to commemorate the 1960s, the stamp’s unveiling coincided with the toy manufacturer’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of the world-renowned doll.
Before Hillary Clinton ran, Barbie had campaigned to become the First Female (Doll) President. The President Barbie was launched in April of 2000 and featured a blue campaign suit, red ball gown, campaign material and an Internet website.
New Millenium Barbie, decked out in gold and ivory finery, was the first collectible doll of the new millennium.
A Barbie doll created in the likeness of actress Elizabeth Taylor was released in fall 2000, a collaboration between the Taylor’s White Dimonds fragrance and Mattel.
Mattel released numerous editions of the India Barbie Doll as part of its Dolls of the World collection, which also included Morocco Barbie, Italian Barbie, Kwanzaa Barbie and Philippines Barbie.
Barbie dolls dressed to the nines for the 2000 Olympics are displayed by Mattel at the American International Toy Fair in New York on Feb. 14, 2000. Each country’s doll was only on sale in that country.
American Sign Language (ASL) Barbie was introduced in 2000. Mattel worked with the National Center on Deafness at California State University in Northridge to ensure the accuracy of the doll’s hand signs. The doll was available exclusively at Toys “R” Us and on their website.
Jewel Girl Barbie is displayed by Mattel at the American International Toy Fair in New York on Feb. 14, 2000. The doll came with a flexible waist area allowing it to bend in any direction.
In 2014, after receiving a petition from a cancer patient’s mother, Ella was introduced. The doll was introduced to help young girls with cancer and was distributed directly to hospitals.
Ella comes with two wigs and headscarves. The support for the doll was been so vast that Mattel decided to produce more of the chemotherapy Barbie doll.
Singer and actress Zendaya got her own Barbie doll to honor her 2015 Oscar look. At the time, Zendaya was criticized by televison anchor Giuliana Rancic, who said she looked like she smelled like “patchouli oil, or maybe weed” because of her locks. Mattel came out with the doll to support Zendaya.
The 2016 Barbie Fashionistas are what many consider to be Mattel’s most progressive collection of dolls, which includes different body types, skin tones, eye color and hairstyles. Mattel has faced criticism over the years for not creating Barbie dolls that represent the diversity of modern-day women.
Plus-sized model Ashley Graham received her own Barbie doll, which was debuted at the Glamour Women of the Year 2016 LIVE Summit on Nov. 14, 2016.
The model and activist is known for her efforts to breakdown barriers for women who do not have the stereotypical model figure.
Mattel introduced the Misty Copeland Barbie in 2016 in hopes of empowering young women across the world. Copeland is the first black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre.
Mattel released the first female President and Vice President Barbie dolls on July 13, 2016. Nearly two weeks after the debut, Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential nominee of a major party.
Barbie said bye-bye to the blond haired, blue eyed Ken doll in 2017 in a push toward a new era for her longtime boyfriend. On June 20, 2017, Mattel, the company behind Barbie and Ken, announced that it was debuting 15 new looks for Ken, including new hairstyles (like man buns and cornrows), body shapes, skin tones, and clothing options, like skinny jeans and graphic tee shirts.
Barbie is honored 17 female role models from the past and present with a doll of their likeness in time for International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018. Icons from the past including artist Frida Kahlo (C), aviator Amelia Earhart (L), and NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson were included in the “Global Sheroes” line, whereas icons from the present day included Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder Chloe Kim, “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins and boxing champ Nicola Adams. The decision came after Mattel conducted a survey of 8,000 moms and 86% were concerned about what kind of role models their daughters are exposed to.
The “Shero” collection also included Australian conservationist Bindi Irwin, actress and philanthropist Xiaotong Guan and Italian soccer player Sara Gama, along with many others. Mattel sought for their line to encourage empowering female role models.
A female U.S. Navy aviator Barbie doll of the character Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, played by actress Monica Barbaro in the upcoming movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” is posed in Teterboro, New Jersey, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. Mattel has released the toy play doll ahead of the film’s release next summer.
For International Women’s Day 2022, Mattel introduced a new line of Barbie’s celebrating female entrepreneurs and role models, including Shonda Rhimes, Pat McGrath, Lena Mahfouf and more.
Barbie introduced its newest collection of Fashion Dolls in May 2022, including an inclusive variety of skin tones, eye colors, hairstyles, body types, disabilities and more.
Barbie honors Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, with a collectible doll made from recycled plastic. Released on July 11, 2022, the Goodall doll, wearing field attire, is joined by chimpanzee David Greybeard and comes equipped with a pair of binoculars and a notebook.
Mattel’s first Barbie doll for preschool children, second from left, called My First Barbie, sits with a collection of Barbie Extra dolls in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2022. The preschool Barbie is taller and softer than regular Barbies, with long rooted hair, younger features and more flexible hands and legs. The Barbie Extra dolls are curvier and come with pets and other accessories.
Mattel
To celebrate the 65th anniversary on March 9, 2024, Barbie debuted a new signature doll. These anniversary dolls are dressed in a classic black and white stripped couture gown, inspired by the original 1959 Barbie.
Mattel
While these dolls won’t be for sale, Barbie is honoring International Women’s Day with a line-up of women who embody the brand’s mission to inspire and shape the future. These dolls include actress Viola Davis, singer Shania Twain, Dame Helen Mirren and more.
Mattel
For the 65th anniversary, Barbie will offer 2024 Career Dolls, including a Farm Vet, Pop Star and Astronaut, which are three of the most popular careers held by Barbie since its creation.
