THE BIZARRE WORLD OF Barbie
Woman’s Day Magazine NZ|July 24, 2023
Scandal and tragedy were the backdrops for creating the famous doll
Emma Levett
THE BIZARRE WORLD OF Barbie

Financial scandals, wild parties and sordid rumours, the real-life story behind the world's best-known doll could be the subject of a Hollywood movie itself.

But Barbie's official origin story was at least a wholesome one - one of the co-founders of toy company Mattel, Ruth Handler, wanted to create a grown-up doll for American children at a time when only baby dolls were offered.

Apparently inspired by the German doll Bild Lilli, she worked to create a similar fashion doll with Mattel engineer Jack Ryan, who would later become renowned for a life that was far more X-rated than their innocent creation. Jack invented the joints that allowed Barbie to bend at the waist and the knee, but it was Ruth who insisted the doll have more adult curves, arguing that "little girls want to play at being big girls".

Debuting at the American Toy Fair in 1959, Barbie was available as a blonde or brunette and had outfits including a bathing suit, tennis gear, a negligee, a ballgown and a wedding dress. She was an instant hit, with 300,000 Barbies sold in the first year.

Ruth later claimed all the credit for Barbie's creation, saying the doll was named after her daughter Barbara, while Jack claimed the name was from his first wife, and his daughter still believes he was Barbie's true architect.

This story is from the July 24, 2023 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 24, 2023 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN’S DAY MAGAZINE NZView All
TREASURE & TRAUMA
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TREASURE & TRAUMA

The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

JUDGE JAY-JAY

Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'

The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO

The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!

Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR

The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay

time-read
2 mins  |
August 31, 2024
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'

The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
CARMEL SEPULONI  I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!

Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI

time-read
3 mins  |
August 31, 2024
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR

The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!

time-read
5 mins  |
August 31, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
August 31, 2024