Is the Creator of Barbie Dead? Who was Barbie Creator Ruth Handler?
by Rubaditsha
Updated Jul 24, 2023
Is the Creator of Barbie Dead?
Yes, the creator of Barbie, Ruth Handler, passed away at the age of 85. She died at a hospital in Los Angeles, where she lived. The cause of her death was complications following colon surgery that she had undergone several months before her passing.
Ruth Handler was the visionary behind Barbie, one of the world's best-selling toys and a cultural icon in American popular culture. In 1959, she introduced the Barbie doll, which was the first mass-marketed adult-looking doll for girls. With its busty figure, platinum-blond hair, and piercing blue eyes, Barbie became an instant success, transforming Mattel Inc., the company that sold the doll, into a postwar success story.
Despite facing criticism from feminists who saw Barbie as a symbol of objectification and unrealistic beauty standards, Ruth Handler remained steadfast in her belief in the doll's potential to empower girls and allow them to envision various career possibilities. Barbie's outfits and career choices evolved over time to include doctors, astronauts, and veterinarians, among others, reflecting changing societal attitudes.
In addition to her contributions to the toy industry, Ruth Handler also had a significant impact in other areas. She was a founder of Mattel and played a pivotal role in running the company for 30 years until she and her husband resigned in 1975 amid a scandal. Afterward, she started a company that produced prosthetic breasts for cancer survivors, becoming an advocate for early detection of breast cancer and women's health.
Ruth Handler's legacy extended far beyond Barbie, as she became a symbol of entrepreneurship, innovation, and advocacy. Her passing marked the end of a remarkable life filled with groundbreaking achievements and a profound impact on popular culture. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, a daughter, a brother, five grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
Who was Barbie Creator Ruth Handler?
Ruth Marianna Handler (née Mosko) was an American businesswoman and inventor, best known as the creator of the iconic Barbie doll. She was born on November 4, 1916, in Denver, Colorado, to Polish-Jewish immigrants, Jacob Moskowicz (a blacksmith), and Ida Moskowicz (née Rubenstein).
Ruth's journey as an entrepreneur began when she co-founded the toy manufacturing company Mattel with her husband, Elliot Handler, in 1945. Together, they embarked on a path that would change the toy industry forever. Ruth played a pivotal role in the company's early success and continued to be actively involved as its first president until 1975.
However, her most significant achievement and enduring legacy lie in the creation of the Barbie doll. In 1959, Ruth had the groundbreaking idea to develop a doll that represented an adult-like figure for young girls. Until then, baby dolls with cherubic features dominated the toy market. Ruth recognized the need for dolls that allowed girls to project themselves into their dreams of the future, encompassing various career possibilities.
Inspired by her daughter Barbara's fascination with teenage paper dolls, Ruth sought to create a three-dimensional fashion doll. She named the doll "Barbie," after her daughter, and introduced her to the world with a glamorous appearance, including a busty figure, platinum-blond hair, and piercing blue eyes. The doll's debut at the American Toy Fair in New York was a resounding success, and Barbie quickly became a cultural icon and a symbol of American popular culture.
Despite facing criticism from feminists who viewed Barbie as promoting unrealistic beauty standards and gender stereotypes, Ruth Handler defended her creation, believing that Barbie empowered girls to explore their potential and career aspirations. As societal attitudes evolved, Barbie's character also evolved to reflect a more diverse range of professions and interests.
In 1975, Ruth and Elliot Handler were forced to resign from Mattel after the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated the company for financial misconduct. Despite this setback, Ruth remained an influential figure and later embarked on a second career. She started a company called Ruthton Corporation, which produced prosthetic breasts for cancer survivors. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Ruth became an advocate for early detection and breast cancer awareness.
Throughout her life, Ruth Marianna Handler exemplified innovation, determination, and entrepreneurship. Her contributions to the toy industry and her creation of the Barbie doll had a profound and lasting impact on generations of children and popular culture. She passed away on April 27, 2002, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate with people worldwide.
Ruth Handler Net Worth at Death
Ruth Handler, an American businesswoman and inventor, had a net worth of $100 million at the time of her passing. She was born in November 1916 in Denver, Colorado, and passed away in April 2002. Ruth became widely recognized as the president of Mattel Inc., a renowned toy company, and is most celebrated for her groundbreaking creation of the Barbie doll.
Before delving into the toy industry, Ruth, along with her husband Elliot Handler, ventured into a furniture business. Subsequently, they co-founded Mattel with Harold "Matt" Matson, initially manufacturing picture frames. Over time, the company expanded its product line to include dollhouse furniture and toys.
The turning point for Mattel came when they introduced the "Uke-a-doodle," a toy ukulele that became a significant success. However, Ruth's inspiration for the iconic Barbie doll came from her daughter, Barbara, who played with paper dolls but found their options limited. Upon discovering a German Bild Lilli doll, originally intended as an adult gag gift, Ruth reimagined its design and transformed it into the iconic Barbie doll.
In 1959, Barbie made her debut at the New York toy fair, captivating the world and becoming a cultural phenomenon. Ruth's visionary creation empowered young girls to dream big and explore various career possibilities through their play.
Ruth Handler's contributions to the toy industry extended beyond Barbie's creation. She also earned writing credits for the 1987 film "Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World."
Tragically, Ruth Handler passed away at the age of 85 due to complications arising from surgery for colon cancer on April 27, 2002. Her legacy continues to live on, as Barbie remains an enduring symbol of empowerment and imagination for generations of children worldwide.
Who was the Inspiration For Barbie?
The inspiration for Barbie was Ruth Handler's 15-year-old daughter, Barbara Handler. Ruth Handler, along with her husband Elliot and Harold "Matt" Matson, co-founded the toy company Mattel in 1945. They initially produced picture frames and dollhouse furniture before venturing into the toy industry.
In 1956, during a trip to Switzerland with her daughter Barbara, Ruth Handler encountered a German gag gift doll named Bild Lilli. Unlike the paper dolls that Barbara loved playing with, Lilli was a three-dimensional doll with adult-like features and came with a variety of clothing. Barbara became enamored with the doll, but there was a problem – the clothes were not sold separately. To change outfits, one had to buy an entirely new doll.
Barbara's frustration with the limited wardrobe options of the Bild Lilli doll caught Ruth Handler's attention. She noticed how passionate her daughter was about the doll and decided to buy a few Lilli dolls during their trip. Back home, Ruth and her team at Mattel disassembled and researched the Lilli dolls, leading to the idea of creating a doll with interchangeable clothes.
Ruth Handler's insight and creativity were instrumental in designing the Barbie doll. She wanted to develop a doll that represented choice and possibilities for young girls, allowing them to imagine diverse career paths and aspirations. Barbara Handler's enthusiasm for Lilli played a crucial role in inspiring her mother to create a doll that would empower girls to dream big and explore various roles and identities.
When Mattel debuted the Barbie doll at the American Toy Fair in New York in March 1959, it quickly became a tremendous success. Ruth Handler affectionately named the doll after her daughter, Barbara, who had various nicknames, including "Barbie." The doll's popularity soared, and it went on to become one of the most beloved and iconic toys of all time.
Barbie's enduring message of "you can be anything" and the inspiration behind her creation continue to resonate with generations of children, making her a timeless and empowering figure in popular culture.
Who was Barbie Based On?
Barbie was based on a German gag gift doll named Bild Lilli, which Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, encountered during a trip to Switzerland in 1956. Ruth's 15-year-old daughter, Barbara Handler, accompanied her on this trip. Ruth noticed how captivated Barbara was by the Bild Lilli doll, which had a three-dimensional design and came with various outfits.
Unlike the paper dolls that Barbara had been playing with, Lilli's adult-like features and wardrobe intrigued her. However, there was a significant limitation with Lilli – her clothes were not sold separately. To change outfits, one had to purchase an entirely new doll.
Barbara's frustration with the lack of separate clothing options for Lilli sparked Ruth Handler's creativity. Recognizing her daughter's passion for the doll and the desire for more clothing choices, Ruth decided to buy a few Lilli dolls during their trip. Upon returning home, Ruth and her team at Mattel carefully examined and researched the Lilli dolls.
Ruth Handler was inspired by the concept of a doll with interchangeable clothes, which would allow girls to have greater imaginative play and explore various career possibilities. This led her to the idea of creating a fashion doll named Barbie, named affectionately after her daughter Barbara, who had various nicknames, including "Barbie."
In March 1959, Mattel introduced the Barbie doll at the American Toy Fair in New York. The doll's debut was an instant success, with more than 300,000 dolls sold in the first year. Barbie quickly became a cultural icon and a symbol of empowerment for generations of young girls.
While Barbie's appearance and design were influenced by the Bild Lilli doll, Ruth Handler infused the doll with her own vision and purpose. She wanted Barbie to represent choice and possibilities for girls, allowing them to imagine themselves as anything they wanted to be. Barbie's enduring message of "you can be anything" and the inspiration behind her creation continue to resonate with children worldwide, making her an iconic and empowering figure in popular culture.
Is the Creator of Barbie Dead:FAQs
The inspiration for Barbie was Ruth Handler's 15-year-old daughter, Barbara Handler. Ruth encountered a German gag gift doll named Bild Lilli during a trip to Switzerland in 1956. Barbara's fascination with Lilli's adult-like features and clothing options inspired Ruth to create a doll with interchangeable outfits, leading to the creation of Barbie.
Bild Lilli, a German gag gift doll, served as a significant influence in the creation of Barbie. Ruth Handler noticed her daughter Barbara's fascination with Lilli's three-dimensional design and various outfits. However, Lilli's limitation of not selling clothes separately sparked Ruth's idea of developing a doll with interchangeable clothing, which led to the creation of Barbie.
Barbie became a cultural icon due to her immediate popularity and the visionary approach of her creator, Ruth Handler. When Barbie debuted at the American Toy Fair in 1959, it captured the imagination of children and parents alike. Ruth designed Barbie to represent choice and possibilities for girls, empowering them to imagine diverse career paths and aspirations. Barbie's message of "you can be anything" resonated with generations, making her one of the most beloved and iconic toys of all time.
Mattel was co-founded by Ruth Handler and her husband, Elliot Handler, along with their business partner Harold "Matt" Matson. The company started as a startup in a garage in 1945, producing picture frames and dollhouse furniture before transitioning into the toy industry.
The first successful product by Mattel before Barbie was the Uke-A-Doodle, a ukulele-type instrument. The trio of founders, Ruth and Elliot Handler and Harold Matson, had a string of other hit toys as well, which contributed to Mattel's growth as a global corporation.