Barbie

Barbie Today: The New “Barbie” Movie

Directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written with Noah Baumbach, the latest film inspired by Barbie’s life stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Now showing in theaters, the film explores the complexities of Barbie’s character. Robbie reflects on her role, stating, “She is so iconic, but she’s also so complicated. There have been real issues with Barbie over the years, and there’s been real love. The conversation has kept evolving.”

Who Is Barbie?

Barbie, a 64-year-old fashion model and cultural icon, has been a significant figure in American pop culture for decades. Renowned for her fashion sense, Barbie has embraced a multitude of styles and has held an astonishing variety of careers, having worked in over 250 different professions. Her roles include surgeon, airplane pilot, astronaut, military officer, Olympic athlete, and rock musician. Notably, Barbie has run for the presidency of the United States seven times, though she has never secured her party’s nomination. She is also famously known for her highly publicized, tumultuous relationship with Ken.

Early Life

Barbara “Barbie” Millicent Roberts was born on March 9, 1959, to George and Margaret Roberts in the town of Willows, Wisconsin. She was named after Barbara Handler, the daughter of Ruth and Elliot Handler, the co-founders of Mattel.

George was an engineer, while Margaret was a dedicated stay-at-home mother to their large family. Barbie is the eldest of eight siblings, which includes Skipper, Stacie, Chelsea, Krissy, Kelly, and twins Tutti and Todd. Some aspects of her family history remain mysterious, particularly the sudden disappearance of Tutti, who has not been seen since 1971. Additionally, Stacie has been publicly referred to as Todd’s twin, with no explanation regarding Tutti’s absence.

Barbie attended Willows High School in Wisconsin and briefly studied at the Manhattan International High School in New York City. According to the film Barbie and the Secret Door, she inherited a love for reading from her maternal grandmother. However, she struggled with mathematics in her early years, a topic that later became controversial. Following high school, Barbie enrolled at Illinois State University, where she explored various subjects, including history, English, astronomy, economics, Mayan civilizations, and landscape painting. Ultimately, she obtained a college degree, although her specific major remains unclear.

Barbie’s first residence was a chic studio apartment styled in the 1960s, but she is most recognized for her iconic Barbie Dreamhouse—a multistory townhouse featuring a pink slide, elevator, and several fashionable rooms. Remarkably, Barbie purchased her Dreamhouse at the tender age of 3 in 1962, a time when many women faced challenges in buying homes independently. At that time, it was common for women to require a male co-signer for a mortgage, a situation that evolved with the passage of the Equal Opportunity Credit Act in 1974. Despite its glamour, the Barbie Dreamhouse is relatively small, estimated at just 78 square feet, compared to the average home size of approximately 1,900 square feet. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, Barbie appears to navigate her unique living space comfortably.

While she later became known for her pink Corvette convertibles, Barbie’s first vehicle was a 1962 Austin Healey. An avid animal lover, she has had over 50 pets throughout her life, including dogs, cats, ponies, a parrot, a chimpanzee, a panda, a lion cub, a giraffe, and a zebra. Her first pet was a horse named Dancer.

Barbie: A Timeless Fashion Icon and Trailblazer in Careers

Barbie, the iconic doll, has captivated the public since her debut in 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. Her first television appearance came shortly after, during a commercial on the Mickey Mouse Club. Initially launched as a fashion model, Barbie has since embodied a staggering array of roles and careers, showcasing her versatility and adaptability throughout the decades.

Over the years, Barbie has collaborated with an impressive roster of top fashion designers, makeup artists, and elite couturiers, contributing to her status as a fashion icon. Her first outfit—a classic one-piece black and white striped bathing suit—sparked controversy due to its resemblance to a style worn by a high-end German call girl named Lilli. Nevertheless, Barbie quickly became synonymous with fashion excellence, particularly in the 1960s, when she experimented with various wigs and hairstyles, including a notable Bobblecut inspired by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Barbie’s style has evolved significantly over the years. She embraced the mod era with the “Twist ’n’ Turn Barbie” in 1967, ventured into the counterculture with “Hippie Barbie” in 1971, and epitomized the California girl aesthetic with “Sunset Malibu Barbie” in the late 1970s. The 1990s saw her don the extravagant “Totally Hair Barbie,” featuring long, frizzy hair that reached her ankles—a reflection of the decade’s big hair craze.

Throughout her 60-year career, Barbie has inspired countless designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Stefano Canturi, and Bob Mackie, who created a breathtaking gold gown adorned with 5,000 hand-sewn sequins. Renowned fashion houses such as Gucci, Versace, and Vera Wang have also contributed to her extensive wardrobe. Beyond her role in fashion, Barbie has emerged as a cultural icon, with her influence extending to social media, where she boasts over 2.8 million followers on Instagram as of July 2024.

Despite her achievements, Barbie has faced criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, with some arguing that her anatomy defies the laws of physics. Critics have linked her image to body image issues and eating disorders, particularly following the release of a controversial diet book in 1963. In recent years, Barbie has sought to address these concerns by advocating for body positivity and diversity, promoting a range of body types, sizes, and styles.

A Multifaceted Career

While Barbie is primarily recognized for her fashion endeavors, her career portfolio is nothing short of extraordinary, encompassing over 250 professions. In 1961 alone, she held five distinct jobs, including fashion designer, flight attendant, and registered nurse. Notably, she pursued a medical career, becoming a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, and even a surgeon in 1973—an impressive feat at a time when few women were admitted to medical schools.

Barbie’s career has also ventured into aviation, transitioning from flight attendant to airplane pilot, even launching her own line of Barbie-branded commercial airliners. Her pioneering spirit extended to space exploration, as she became an astronaut in 1965, four years before Neil Armstrong’s historic moon landing. She returned to space in 1986 and 1994, also serving as a Space Camp instructor.

In the military realm, Barbie joined the U.S. Army as an officer in 1989, later becoming a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, where she led a squad in combat operations. Additionally, she utilized her piloting skills as a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird squadron leader.

Barbie’s impact on sports and entertainment is equally notable. She has represented the United States in the Olympics, winning gold medals in gymnastics, figure skating, and swimming. As a performer, she took on various roles, including NASCAR driver, Rockette dancer, and lead singer of a New Wave rock group in the 1980s. In 2005, she even auditioned for the popular television singing competition American Idol.

Throughout her career, Barbie has consistently shattered glass ceilings. In 1985, she became a corporate CEO at a time when few women held such positions. In the 2010s, she sought to inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM, taking on roles such as computer engineer, robotics engineer, and Mars explorer. However, her tenure as a video game developer sparked controversy, particularly after a statement indicating she would need help from male colleagues to create games. Additionally, her “Video Girl Barbie” persona, equipped with a recording device, raised privacy concerns.

Beyond these roles, Barbie has also explored careers as an entrepreneur, journalist, police officer, rapper, SCUBA diver, paleontologist, sign language teacher, and zoologist, showcasing her remarkable versatility and ongoing relevance in popular culture.

In summary, Barbie is not merely a doll; she is a symbol of empowerment and innovation, continuously evolving to inspire generations while challenging societal norms in fashion and professional aspirations.

Political Aspirations

Despite her impressive career history, one aspiration has consistently eluded Barbie: the presidency of the United States. From 1992 to 2020, Barbie sought the presidency seven times, yet she has never successfully secured her party’s nomination. In her most recent campaign, she adopted an unconventional strategy by employing only a two-person team consisting of a campaign manager and a fundraiser. Relying on her name recognition, fundraising capabilities, and diverse résumé, she aimed to compensate for the absence of a sophisticated political apparatus. Recently, Barbie has indicated to NPR that she does not plan to pursue another presidential run. Although she has not achieved the highest office, she has represented the United States as a UNICEF ambassador. Her ambition has occasionally led to international controversy, notably in 2003 when Saudi Arabia banned her from the country, labeling her a “symbol of decadence to the perverted West.”

Relationship with Ken

Barbie is well known for her highly publicized and tumultuous relationship with Kenneth “Ken” Sean Carson, who is two years her junior. Both hailing from Willows, Wisconsin, Ken first met Barbie while filming a television commercial in the 1960s. Like Barbie, Ken has explored various careers throughout his life, holding around 40 different jobs, including lifeguard, barista, surfer, and dentist. However, he is most frequently associated with a more laid-back lifestyle as a “beach bum,” which has led to speculation regarding his ambition compared to his accomplished girlfriend. Barbie and Ken have never married and do not have children.

Their relationship faced a significant challenge in February 2004 when they announced a breakup, citing the need to “spend some quality time apart.” Just four months later, Barbie was linked to an Australian surfer named Blaine, a development that garnered considerable media attention.

In 2006, Ken underwent a substantial makeover and committed to a rigorous exercise regimen in an effort to win Barbie back. According to a Hollywood stylist, he “revamped his life—mind, body, and soul.” Although his initial efforts were unsuccessful, it was announced on Valentine’s Day 2011 that Barbie and Ken had rekindled their romance. Barbie shared her feelings on Facebook, stating, “Yes, it’s true… after seven long years apart, Ken and I have decided to rekindle our romance. A doll knows when it’s love, and I’ve finally realized that my heart only beats for Ken.”

Famous Friends

Midge, Barbie’s best friend since 1963, married Ken’s best friend Allan in 1991, and they built a family together, with Midge’s highly publicized pregnancy attracting media scrutiny. Throughout her life, Barbie has formed several close friendships, including those with Teresa, Christie, Steven, and Kayla.

Beyond her personal relationships, Barbie has cultivated numerous high-profile friendships in the celebrity realm, beginning with supermodel Twiggy in 1967. Her illustrious circle of friends has included icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Ava DuVernay, Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Grace Kelly, J.K. Rowling, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, and Marilyn Monroe. Notably, Mila Kunis made one of her first acting appearances in a commercial alongside Barbie.

In Pop Culture

Barbie has been featured prominently in various films, songs, and other cultural works over the years. The dance-pop group Aqua released the hit single “Barbie Girl” in 1997, which both celebrated the lives of Barbie and Ken and critiqued commercialism, materialism, and gender roles. In response, toy company Mattel filed a lawsuit on Barbie’s behalf against Aqua, but the case was dismissed, with the judge advising both parties to “chill.”

Additionally, Barbie appeared in supporting roles in Pixar’s animated films Toy Story 2 (1999) and Toy Story 3 (2010), the latter of which also featured Ken.

In 2023, Greta Gerwig directed and co-wrote a film inspired by Barbie’s life, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. Robbie remarked on her portrayal of Barbie: “She is so iconic, but she’s also so complicated. There have been real issues with Barbie over the years, and there’s been real love. The conversation has kept evolving. I think ultimately it is a conversation we’re having about ourselves, but it’s easy to put it on Barbie.”