Barbie Through the Decades: A 67-Year Evolution

Barbie has maintained her status as the largest selling toy ever produced since first hitting shelves in 1959. Now 67 years old in 2026, the iconic doll has witnessed and reflected dramatic social, cultural, and political changes across nearly seven decades.

From her initial release at the American Toy Fair in New York City to modern collaborations with the National Down Syndrome Society and Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Barbie continues to evolve. The brand's staying power is evident in its 2024 net sales of $5.3 billion, proving that despite shifting toy trends, Barbie remains a cultural phenomenon.

Barbie's journey began with a striped swimsuit, blonde ponytail, and red lipstick in 1959. This original look became so iconic that decades later, Margot Robbie would channel it for press events promoting the 2023 film.

The 1960s saw rapid expansion of Barbie's world and capabilities:

• 1960: Barbie got her first career as a Fashion Designer
• 1961: Ken was introduced as Barbie's fictional counterpart
• 1963: Midge joined as Barbie's freckled best friend
• 1968: Talking Barbie said 'Let's go shopping!'
• 1969: Christie debuted as the first African American doll

These early innovations established Barbie as more than a fashion doll—she was becoming a reflection of the era's aspirations and changing social landscape.

The 1970s brought pop culture icons and California cool to the Barbie line. The Cher Barbie doll captured the singer's 'Half Breed' music video aesthetic, while Malibu Barbie epitomized the laid-back West Coast vibe. By 1974, Barbie moved into her three-story Town House with retro decor.

The 1980s and 1990s marked Barbie's technological and global expansion:

• 1986: Barbie became an astronaut, landing on the moon
• 1989: Spanish designer Paco Rabanne created metal mail outfits for Barbie's 30th anniversary
• 1997: Barbie learned to use the computer with CD-ROM technology
• 1999: Generation Girl Barbie reflected Y2K fashion sensibilities

Throughout these decades, Barbie's career options multiplied, from Olympic skier in 1975 to Air Force pilot in 1991, while her Dreamhouse evolved into the iconic pink structure recognized worldwide.

The new millennium accelerated Barbie's commitment to broader representations of race, body type, and careers. The Fashionista line became the flagship for diversity, introducing dolls that reflected the true diversity of Barbie's global audience.

Key milestones in representation included:

• 2010: Barbie became a computer engineer
• 2015: Made To Move Barbie introduced flexible joints
• 2016: Curvy body types debuted
• 2017: First Barbie with a hijab, modeled after Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad
• 2019: Fashionista collection featured 6 body types, 9 skin tones, 6 eye colors, 11 hair colors, and 10 hairstyles

This period also saw Barbie celebrating real-world achievements, from commemorating frontline workers in 2021 to honoring LGBTQ+ activist Laverne Cox with a Tribute Collection doll in 2022.

The 2020s represent Barbie's most inclusive era yet. The 2020 Fashionista line introduced dolls with vitiligo, prosthetic limbs, and no hair. In 2023, Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to release the first Barbie with Down syndrome, featuring a rounder face shape, almond-shaped eyes, and pink orthotics.

The cultural impact reached new heights with Greta Gerwig's 2023 Oscar-winning film, which sparked the Barbiecore aesthetic renaissance—characterized by vibrant pink shades, chunky heels, and kitschy accessories.

Recent innovations continue pushing boundaries:

• 2024: Limited-edition Lunar New Year doll in traditional xifu opera costume
• 2025: First Barbie with type 1 diabetes, featuring glucose monitor and insulin pump
• 2026: First autistic doll with sensory-friendly outfit and communication aids

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

Barbie's 67-year evolution from a single fashion doll to a platform for global representation demonstrates remarkable adaptability. The brand has successfully navigated changing cultural values while maintaining its core identity as a symbol of possibility.

With net sales of $5.3 billion in 2024 and continued innovation in inclusive design, Barbie remains positioned to reflect future generations. The 2026 autistic doll represents Mattel's ongoing commitment to ensuring every child can see themselves in the Barbie universe, proving that after nearly seven decades, the brand continues to evolve with purpose.