Happy 55th birthday, Barbie! I knew you when you were just a teenage fashion model and I was a nine-year-old girl. That's when I got my first Barbie doll, and I was so excited! She was the favorite toy of my childhood and preteens, and when she disappeared from the home place after my mother died, I mourned her like an old friend. She wasn't the elusive original #1 Barbie doll, but she was a beautiful blonde #4 Barbie, soon followed by Skipper, Ken, homely Midge as well as cousing Francie, Todd, Tutti and a host of other dolls. Barbie doll has been the subject of praise, an object of ridicule, and the center of controversy , but no matter how many issues adults try to blame on Barbie , most little girls still love her. Now the pink plastic princess, who was first sold in 1959, is turning 55! It seems like we just celebrated her 50th birthday , but that was back in 2009. Now the pink plastic princess has added another half decade. Click on this link to find out