Barbie truly is an icon of our time. Even if you did not play much with her as a kid, we have been shown her image on TV, online, and in stores constantly. Her face is everywhere, a classic symbol of children’s toys and female childhood. Of co🌠urse, anyone of any gender can play with Barbies and other dolls, but I’m talking stereotypes here. With her fashionable clothes, often progressive messages, and often ‘perfect’ image, many people wanted to grow up to be like Barbie. More than just a doll, she represents many things to many people. She is a role model, a friend, a toy, a good memory, a symbol, an icon, a piece of art; all of these labels and more can be applied to the blonde doll. Not only is she a🎀 symbol she is also a simple toy, something we impress labels and items onto.

A big player in pop culture, Barbie has evolved over the years. Her appearanc🍬e has changed, her careers have changed, her style has changed, but she remains a pillar of Western culture. Nowadays, alongside appearing in films, tv shows, and commercials, she is also a YouTuber in a recent career change. Barbie has had a long life and, like a vampire, has remained a teenager all this time. Her achievements over the years have been simultaneously scrutinized and praised for its messages to young people. She has had a surprisingly multi-faceted life for a children’s doll. Let’s check it out.

23 Barbie Is Older T🌄han Ken ♏

While the fashionista and career woman that we all know and love was released in March 1959, Ken was released two years later in March 1961🌳. This makes Barbie two years older than Ken in terms of release, although there is little known about their official ages besides the fact that they are teenagers or young people. It’s amazing that the young lovers stayed together for so long (even if they did take a break for a bit).

22 Barbie Has Never Had Children ✅

Being a busy career woman her entire life means that Barbie has never had much time for herself. Sure, she has Ken but even they have had an on-off relationship in the past. Because Barbie has an image to maintain, she has not had any children of her own. She has babysat for her siblings and friends but never gotten around to carr🐎ying on her fashionable name. I totally support Barbie’s decision to refrain from having kids and am glad she supports her sister’s and friends’ children where she can.

21 She Was ‘Born’🙈 On March 9, 1959 ๊

Barbie is an old girl despite her looks. Born in March 1959, she was ‘born’ and put on our shelves. I say ‘born’ as she is a teenage doll rather than a child, an🌌d there are no teenage babies. That makes Barbie 59 years old, which is impressive. How she can still walk effortlessly in heels at her age is beyond me. Barbie is a classic that seems as though it will never go out of style, but only time will tell. Even if she does decline in popularity, 60 years is an impressive amount of time.

20 She Got A Belly Button Piercing ꩵ

Barbie has been around for decades, so a little teenage rebellion was long overdue. That is, until 2000 when she got a belly button piercing. Unexpected as it may be, Barbie showed us that even older girls can have a little fun if they want. She ♏is the queen of fashion and belly button piercings were on trend back in the day (though some would argue that piercings never go out of style). Good for you Barbie, you work that agency.

19 ✃ Barbie Was Based On ✃A German Toy

While Barbie seems like the biggest doll in the world, even she got her roots somewhere. When thinking of a new design for a doll, Ruth Handler found inspiration during her travels to Germany. She came across Lilli, the toy for grown-ups who was ♓a high-class girl. Lilli was sold in shops and other places tailored to grown-ups. Handler⛄ liked the idea of a grown-up doll and pitched it to Jack Ryan, the ‘father of Barbie’ and eventually convinced him.

18 She Has Changed Appearaꦅnce Twice

Barbie hasn’t always looked as we see her now. When she first came onto our shelves, she had a different art style and looked sideways wiꦓthout smiling. In 1971, she finally faced forwards and then in 1977, she got that small toothy smile we all know and love. Her looking sideways without smiling gives her a sophisticated air that is desirable in a grown-up doll. While this is great, I think that Barbie is more approachable now than her initial design

17 🍸 Permanently 17 ꧃

Barbie’s age has been hotly debated and, like many women, she is loath to disclose it. Many put her between 17 and 22, with most people leaning towards 17. Being around since 1🅷959 put her in league with Emma Thompson, Marie Osmond, and Sarah Ferguson. Her birthdate makes her a baby boomerඣ who has lived through the Space Race, the disco era, the rise of technology, and many other wild events. Talk about aging with grace – she’s got grace in spades.

16 There Is An IRL Barbie 🌼

Some people really love Barbie. I mean, they really love Barbie. ꦜSo much so that they want to be as like Barbie as possible. Through the use of exe♑rcise, plastic surgery, and other cosmetic enhancements, certain women have achieved what was thought to be impossible and became Barbie. Valeria Lukyanova, in particular, bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic doll. Looking at her makes me feels uncomfortable in an uncanny valley way, to be honest.

15 She’s A Southe🔯rn Girl

A charming and hospitable woman, Barbie’s stellar personality is famous across the world. I mean, there is a reason that she has so many friends. Now we know why; she’s a Southern belle🦩. Barbie was born in the fictional town of Willow, W𝔍isconsin and has been putting that Southern friendliness to good use while building her empire. Starting out as a country girl turned teen model, now she has a highly successful legacy for other young people to aspire to.

14 Long Hair🍷, Do Care 🌟

Barbie has experimented a lot over the years. Trying to keep up with trends is her thing, along with t💎rying new careers and loving a whole zoo full of animals. While Barbie is losing her high-heeled footing a litt▨le in the toy world, she is known as a frontrunner. However, sales were never higher for Barbie than when she tried out a particular trend: hyper long hair. During the 90s, Barbie began her Totally Hair phase and it was a huge hit with kids.