Top 10 Facts About Barbie That Will Ruin Your Childhood

We know; we’re shocked too. Growing up, there’s nothing we wanted more than Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse and all the accessories that came with it. With her enviable tan, long blonde hair, and sweet smile, Barbie was made for riding the waves in a sunny beach city. However, her fair complexion—minus the tan—might be more indicative of her real hometown. This doll actually hails from the fictional town of Willows in Wisconsin. It was only in 1971 that Barbie moved to Malibu with a new look that was more reflective of the times. Even though Willows doesn’t exist, Wisconsin decided to lean into Barbie’s origins, and you can find one of the OG dolls in the Wisconsin Historical Museum.

Barbie’s long blonde hair has become a defining feature of this iconic toy. However, when she was first sold in 1959, customers had a choice between a fair-haired or brunette doll. Both wore zebra print swimwear for their world debut and first profession as teen models. However, there was a considerable sway toward the blonde option, so Mattel presumaby followed demand and brunette Barbie became nothing but a distant memory… Luckily, Mattel eventually realized that representation matters, and started branching out in many respects including hair color, skin tone, and body size. We don’t know if blondes really have more fun, but kids in the 60s certainly seemed to think so.

Life in plastic might be fantastic, but even Barbie hasn’t managed to evade controversy. Over the years, we’ve seen some ill-thought-out ideas appear on toy store shelves only to be quickly removed following public outcry. For instance, who okayed Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Barbie? Why does Slumber Party Barbie need scales and a book on “How to Lose Weight”? And how about Teen Talk Barbie? More like Sexist Talk Barbie! Also, we still can’t believe someone actually approved this! Just a lot of bad stuff all around. It didn’t end there though. Anyone remember Midge? The pregnant doll with a removable stomach? Some were concerned that she promoted teen pregnancy but even if that wasn’t the case, it’s just a really disturbing design.

Speaking of dolls that faced backlash, in 1993, Mattel released a new Ken doll as part of their Earring Magic collection. He now had blonde highlights, wore a purple mesh top and vest, and accessorized with a ring pendant necklace and an earring in his left ear. We think you know where this is headed. Some wondered if Mattel was outing Barbie’s on-again-off-again boyfriend. However, it was his necklace that invited the biggest uproar. Some thought it represented a ring you might place in a more intimate location. Mattel refuted these ridiculous claims, saying they’re “not in the business” of introducing those kinds of accessories to their young audience.

While we’re on the topic of Barbie’s beau, on Valentine’s Day in 2004, Mattel announced that this power couple had called it quits. The pair’s business manager, Russell Arons, denied that the break-up was staged to promote their latest release, the Cali Girl Barbie. Apparently, Barbie wanted a further commitment, but Ken wasn’t ready. Soon after, the blonde bombshell was reportedly spotted with an Australian surfer named Blaine. At first, Blaine was super popular, even beating out Ken in an online popularity poll on the Barbie website. However, after almost two years, Mattel’s new “it” couple split. In 2006, Ken received a makeover, and he and Barbie got back together. Meanwhile, Blaine has pretty much disappeared.

You might’ve heard the name Ruth Handler in association with Barbie. Indeed, she’s the creative mind behind the iconic doll and co-founder of Mattel. However, you might not have heard of Jack Ryan, the missile designer who helped bring her vision to life. The pair were embroiled in a bitter battle over who deserved credit for the famous toy and her name. Ryan claimed he’d been short-changed on royalties by almost $24 million and sued Mattel. After nearly a decade, Ryan won $10 million supposedly in an out-of-court settlement. These were far from the only controversies caused by the creators. Handler was charged with fraud and false reporting, and Ryan’s troublesome and sordid lifestyle raised some eyebrows too.

Mattel has repeatedly come under fire for designing a doll with unrealistic measurements. Studies have even shown that she would be considered dangerously underweight in real life. However, that hasn’t stopped some people from undergoing various procedures to look just like her. Sure, Barbie’s often considered a role model but couldn’t we take inspiration from her countless careers rather than her unattainable body design? Some of the results are freaky and nightmarish. If you think that’s bad, an overzealous Barbie fan by the name of Blondie Bennett took things to a whole other level by going under hypnotherapy to become more airheaded like the doll. Barbie might’ve had some boneheaded moments, but with jobs across STEM, business, politics, and the arts, we don’t think brainless was the right idea.

In 2015, to keep up with the tech-savvy age, Mattel released an interactive talking doll called “Hello Barbie.” She used voice recognition to chat with kids and could be connected to WiFi so parents could monitor conversations via an app. Of course, Mattel was also keeping tabs on their users, raising concerns about privacy. Another doll from 2010 called “Video Girl Barbie” featured a camera cleverly disguised as a necklace and a small monitor on Barbie’s back. Both dolls sound like the premise for a Sci-fi movie about an AI doll uprising. Even authorities were concerned about hackers and other potential dangers, although customers were reassured that no breaches had occurred. Unsurprisingly, both were discontinued.

Since 1961, Barbie and Ken have been the universal “It” couple. Yet, you might not find them quite as cute once you learn about their real-life counterparts. Handler decided to immortalize her beloved children as these soon-to-be-famous dolls. Barbie got her name from Handler’s daughter Barbara, while Ken was named after her son Kenneth. Sure, on the one hand, it’s super sweet that she chose to honor her children in this way. However, it also begs the question, why on earth would you then make Barbie and Ken a couple? Why not keep them as brother and sister? It’s so weird and disturbing and makes us see our childhood in a whole new light.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

It Took Barbie 12 Years to Smile
Her Side Eye Was on Point, but That All Changed in 1971 with Malibu Barbie

Share a Smile Becky, The First Wheelchair-Using Doll
This Was Huge for Representation... Only Her Chair Didn’t Fit In Barbie’s Elevator

The Original Ken
He Came with a Beach Towel, Sandals & Swimming Trunks, A Far Cry from his Fashionista Girlfriend

Barbie’s Huge Family
Over the Years, an Array of Siblings Have Come & Gone, Never to Be Seen Again

She’s Forever a Teen
Despite Dating Back to 1959, This Doll Is Still Living Her Teen Years

One story behind this groundbreaking toy suggests that the creator was moved to invent a 3D fashion doll after watching her daughter play with paper dolls. Another story explains how she took inspiration from the audacious German Lili doll. Until then, dolls taught girls to be caregivers, but Lili was fashionable, bold, and scandalous. She was based on a sassy cartoon called Bild Lili, known to seduce rich men. Lili was marketed to adults and typically given to men as a gag gift at bachelor parties and things like that. Handler took the concept of a fashion-forward character and made her more child-friendly. You can wave goodbye to your Barbiecore-tinted view of this iconic toy. Who knew Barbie’s origin story had such a wild side?