Barbie Doll Celebrates 60 Amazing Years: Facts about Mattel's Iconic Barbie Doll


March 9, 2020, marked the birthday of the iconic Barbie doll, one of the world's favorite children's toys and the most popular doll on the market. Barbie dolls are sold in 150 countries around the world.

The first Barbie doll was officially released by Mattel on March 9, 1959, at the New York Toy Fair at a cost of only $3. That first Barbie doll had side-glancing eyes with white irises, red lips and arched eyebrows. Her hair was styled in a ponytail with curly bangs. She had a very pale, ivory skin tone and came in blonde and brunette. 

Barbie Doll's 50th Anniversary

Barbie wore her famous black and white striped swimsuit and sported sunglasses and black heels. She came with either copper tubes in her feet for her first stand, or the black wire stand that lasted for much of the ponytale vintage era.

Sixty years later she's more popular than ever.  On average 58 million Barbie dolls are sold each year.

60th Anniversary Barbie Doll


Barbie has had well over 200 different careers throughout her time from astronaut to doctor to politician. She has even run for president. 

Creator Ruth Handler's philosophy of Barbie was that "through the doll the little girl could be anything she wanted to be." 

Barbie was named for creator Ruth Handler's daughter, and Ken, who entered Barbie's world in 1961, was named after Ruth's son. 

Let's hear it for Barbie, the world's most popular doll! Happy 60th birthday!

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