The Barbie movie has everyone from feminists to critics of woke culture talking. Here are a few things you may not have known about the world's most popular doll:
Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
She is the creation of Ruth Handler, co-founder of the toy manufacturer Mattel.
Barbie was “born" on 9 March 1959, when Handler showed her at the American International Toy Fair in New York.
Barbie's physical appearance was modelled on Bild Lilli, a German doll created in the early 1950s, which was in turn based on the comic strip Lilli that was published in the Hamburg tabloid Bild-Zeitung and aimed at adults. The Lilli character made a living by seducing rich men then swindling them out of their money.
Handler spotted Bild Lilli while in Europe on holiday, and later paid the original German manufacturer for the rights to produce a similar doll.
Barbie was born in the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin.
She has had seven siblings over the years: Skipper, twins Todd and Tutti, Stacie, Kelly, Chelsea and Krissy.
Barbie's boyfriend, Ken, was named after Handler's son, Kenneth.
Barbie has had more than 130 careers over the years, including nurse, rock singer, TV anchor and president of the US.
Barbie has never been married and has never been pregnant either — not as far as we know, anyway.
♦ VWB ♦
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