ADVERTISEMENT
Published: March 9, 2009
How much do you know about the world's most famous plastic princess? Which one, you ask sarcastically? The Barbie doll, of course:
-- Mattel sold 300,000 Barbie dolls in 1959, her inaugural year.
-- Barbie is from Willows, Wis., and attended Willows High School.
-- Barbie has four sisters: Skipper (1964), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995) and Krissy (1995).
-- The first Barbie with the blond or brunette ponytail and black-and-white striped bathing suit sold for $3. A mint-condition 1959 Barbie is worth an estimated $27,450 today.
-- Ken, Barbie's first boyfriend, debuted in 1961. Barbie and Ken broke up on Valentine's Day in 2004 after 43 years together. But they're still "friends."
-- The early Barbie's "real" measurements are 5 inches (bust), 3 1/4 inches (waist) and 5 3/16 inches (hips). Barbie was redesigned in 1997 to give her a thicker waist, slimmer hips and smaller chest.
-- Barbie has never been married or pregnant.
-- The best-selling Barbie — 10 million dolls — was the 1992 Totally Hair Barbie, with tresses from head to toe.
-- Barbie has had more than 108 careers.
-- Barbie has owned 50 pets, including dogs, horses, ponies, cats, a parrot, a chimpanzee, a panda, a lion cub, a giraffe and a zebra.
-- Barbie has worn costumes of 50 nationalities.
-- There wasn't an African-American or Hispanic Barbie until 1980.
-- During last month's Fashion Week in New York, 50 designers showcased Barbie-inspired looks. An official birthday party will be staged tomorrow at a real Malibu dream house styled by famed interior designer Jonathan Adler. Barbie boutiques will open in Paris and Shanghai. Barbie-themed candy, clothing and home décor will be sold during the year.
Source: Mattel Inc.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2009 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
| * To: | |
| Your Name: | |
| Your Email Address: | |
| Personal Message [optional]: | |