Barbies have offered broader representations of race, body type, and careers since the first doll debuted 66 years ago in 1959.
Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Oscar-winning “Barbie” movie also sparked a renaissance of the doll-inspired Barbiecore aesthetic, which included vibrant shades of pink, chunky heels, and kitschy accessories.
Barbie dolls have exhibited strong staying power amid shifting toy trends, with net sales of $5.3 billion in 2024, according to Mattel.
Here’s a look at how Barbie dolls have evolved through the years.
1959
Barbie made her debut with a striped swimsuit, blonde ponytail, and red lipstick. Upon her release at the 1959 American Toy Fair in New York City, Barbie was an immediate hit.
“Barbie” star Margot Robbie channeled the look with a black-and-white striped, strapless dress at a press event for the film in 2023.
1960
Barbie got a job! Fashion designer Barbie sported a matching jacket and skirt set with a blouse and sketchbook in 1960.
1961
Barbie and Ken hit the beach (or pool) together. Ken was introduced as Barbie’s fictional counterpart in 1961.
1962
This “Red Flare” Barbie from 1962 features a voluminous red coat and matching hat, said to be inspired by ’60s style icon Jackie Kennedy.
1963
“Midge” was introduced in 1963 as Barbie’s best friend. She had freckles, a button nose, and dark curled hair.
1964
In 1964, Barbie’s “swirl ponytail” hairstyle replaced what until then had been her trademark bangs.
1965
Barbie’s bangs returned in 1965, along with a striped jumpsuit.
1966
“Color Magic Barbie” featured yellow hair and an equally vibrant outfit.
1967
“TwistNTurn Barbie” in 1967 featured bendable knees and a twistable waist.
1968
In 1968, “Talking Barbie” said things like “Let’s go shopping!”
1969
“Christie” was the first African American doll, and was marketed as Barbie’s friend. She debuted in 1968, but is pictured here in 1969.
1970
The Cher Barbie doll was peak ’70s, wearing a miniature version of the outfit the singer herself wore in the music video for “Half Breed.”
1971
“Malibu Barbie” epitomized the laid-back, West Coast vibe in 1971.
1972
The “Busy Barbie” featured hands that could hold items and flexible joints.
1973
“Malibu Christie” joined Barbie in California in 1973.
1974
Barbie’s Town House in 1974 featured three stories and retro decor.
1975
Barbie the Olympic skier was released in 1975, ahead of the 1976 Winter Olympics in Austria.
1976
Barbie stole the show as a ballerina in 1976.
1977
“Superstar” Barbie wore a glitzy pink gown with a sparkly boa.
1978
“Superstar” Barbie teamed up with a fabulously ’70s Ken in 1978.
1979
Barbie and Ken matched in monogrammed swimsuits in 1979.
1980
Teresa, the first Hispanic doll in the line, added more representation to Barbie doll collections.
1981
Barbie took up roller skating in 1981, complete with ’80s leg warmers.
1982
Barbie’s go-to aerobics outfit consisted of spandex and leg warmers.
1983
Barbie’s townhouse in 1983 had a whole new look and included a dining room, eat-in kitchen, living room, and bedroom.
1984
Barbie wore a sparkly dress resembling flower petals in 1984, with a dark-haired Ken by her side.
1985
“Day To Night Barbie” was ready for a day at work and a night on the town.
1986
Barbie landed on the moon as an astronaut in 1986.
1987
“Hot Rockin’ Fun” Barbie wore a pink sparkly outfit with blue eye shadow in 1987.
1988
In 1988, “Fashion Barbie” embodied ’80s styles from head to toe.
1989
Spanish fashion designer Paco Rabanne created a special collection of Barbie outfits for the doll’s 30th anniversary in 1989.
1990
Barbie’s Dreamhouse in 1990 was pink. Very, very pink.
1991
Barbie the Air Force pilot landed on toy store shelves in 1991.
1992
“Totally Hair Barbie” came with hair down to her ankles in 1992.
1993
“Native American Barbie” debuted in 1993.
1994
Barbie’s “Dolls of the World” collection included “Kenyan Barbie” in 1994.
1995
The Barbie Goes to Ascot line of dolls included bespoke millinery.
1996
The 1996 Happy Holidays Christmas Barbie wore a burgundy velvet gown.
1997
Barbie learned to use the computer in 1997.
1998
Barbie’s Deluxe Dream House, introduced in 1998, featured floral wallpaper with pink and green accents.
1999
In 1999, “Generation Girl” Barbie wore a blue dress and denim jacket paired with red heels.
2000
“Jewel Girl” Barbie sported a crop top and pink skirt with a grey jacket.
2001
Following the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Barbie released Olympic swimmers with gold medals in 2001.
2002
Barbie worked as an art teacher in 2002.
2003
Swan Lake Barbie debuted at the 2003 Toy Fair in New York City.
2004
The “Presidential Candidate” Barbie debuted in 2004, an election year.
2005
Destiny’s Child Barbies were all the rage in 2005.
2006
Barbie wore ballet shoes and a pink tutu as a ballerina in 2006.
2007
A “Hello Kitty” Barbie was decked out in themed accessories in 2007.
2008
Barbie hosted her own cooking show in 2008.
2009
Barbie sported a helmet and riding boots as an equestrian in 2009.
2010
Barbie learned to code and became a computer engineer in 2010.
2011
After occupying many different dream houses, Barbie the architect designed them herself in 2011.
2012
Barbie released commemorative Prince William and Kate Middleton dolls in 2012, the year after their royal wedding.
2013
“Raquelle” played Barbie’s nemesis in the animated web series “Life in the Dreamhouse” in 2013.
2014
In 2014, “Barbie Entrepreneur” had big plans — and a miniature smartphone.
2015
“Made To Move” Barbie had flexible joints.
2016
Barbie introduced “Curvy” body types in 2016.
2017
Barbie’s first doll with a hijab was modeled after US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.
2018
Barbies of Mindy Kaling, Oprah Winfrey, and Reese Witherspoon were based on the characters they played in “A Wrinkle In Time.”
2019
Barbie’s Fashionista collection included a Black woman in a wheelchair among six different body types, nine skin tones, six eye colors, 11 hair colors, and 10 hairstyles.
2020
New dolls in the 2020 Fashionista line include a doll with vitiligo, another with a prosthetic limb, and one without hair.
2021
In 2021, Mattel released a line of dolls commemorating frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including one modeled after Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford who co-created the AstraZeneca vaccine.
2022
Actress and LGBTQ+ activist Laverne Cox, the first transgender actor to be nominated for a Primetime acting Emmy Award, became the face of a Tribute Collection Barbie in 2022.
2023
Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to release the first Barbie with Down syndrome in 2023.
Mattel said the new Barbie’s face had a rounder shape, almond-shaped eyes, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge. The doll also wore pink orthotics.
2024
Mattel released a limited-edition 2024 Lunar New Year doll wearing a traditional Chinese opera costume called a xifu.
2025
The first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes came out in 2025. The doll wore a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump.
2026
Barbie introduced the first autistic doll in 2026 with a sensory-friendly outfit, a fidget spinner, headphones, and a tablet communication aid.
“The doll, designed with guidance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie,” Jamie Cygielman, Mattel’s global head of dolls, said in a statement.
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