Not only is Barbie 50 years old but she looks every bit as gorgeous as the days she was ah … made. Pretty soon she’s going to be too old to even be in the demographics pool at all.
Barbie Millicent Roberts 1959
I’m sure I had at least 10 dolls from the Barbie family. I wonder why I didn’t keep any of them though. I wish I had. Last time I heard the highest price on a vintage Barbie circa 1960 was more than $27,000 at an antique auction.
Do you know what she was wearing when she made her debut in 1959? She was sold wearing the by-now-famous black-and-white striped strapless swimsuit, open-toed heels, sporty white sunglasses and gold hoop earrings. Her hair? Blonde of course, and it was styled in that perky little ponytail with bangs.
There have been so many Barbie dolls it’s just amazing. From haute couture with real designers making Barbie fashions to fantasy Barbies, real-life celebrity Barbies, philanthropy Barbies … you name it there is Barbie for everyone and everything.
50th Anniversary Barbie
Here are some fast facts from the Barbie website.
* Barbie’s real name is Barbie Millicent Roberts
* Barbie is from Willows, Wisconsin. She attended Willows High School
* Barbie has four sisters: Skipper (1964), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995) and Krissy (1995)
* The first Barbie doll sold for $3.00 (1959)
* Barbie’s signature color is Barbie pink: PMS 219
* Barbie’s first boyfriend, Ken, debuted two years after Barbie in 1961
* Ken and Barbie broke up on Valentine’s Day in 2004 after being together more than 43 years
* The best-selling Barbie doll ever was 1992 Totally Hair Barbie, with hair from the top of her head to her toes
* Barbie has been outfitted by more than 70 famous couturiers
* Barbie has had more than 108 inspirational careers – including four campaigns for the American presidency.
So Happy Anniversary my dear. Hope the next 50 are just as generous to your looks. But I’m still waiting for Menopause Barbie, Divorced Barbie, Pregnant Barbie, Depressed Barbie … you know. Look for the next post for my take on those Barbies. They’re much more fun!
And check out some of the other Barbie photos from the ’80s.
1980 Royal UK Barbie
Scottish Barbie
India Barbie
Spanish Barbie
Swedish Barbie
Shop on!
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Barbie still looks pretty fit and trim for a fifty year old