Barbie began a relationship with Ken which lasted until 2004, when their separation was announced. Barbie and Ken were back together two years later.
The Handler Family
Ken was named after Handler’s son Ken who allegedly "grew up embarrassed and humiliated by having an anatomically incorrect boy doll named after him with no hint of genitalia."[1] Jerry Oppenheimer’s recently published book, Toy Monster: The Big, Bad World of Mattel, alleged Ken was married with three children, but he also led the life of a closet gay, and died from AIDS in 1994. Other sources claimed the cause of death was a brain tumour[2] or encephalitis after a trip to Africa[3].
Handler knew what children wanted but she faced difficult relationships with both her children who resented her frequent absences during their childhood. Handler was president of Mattel until she was forced to resign after fraud charges in 1978.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer and developed a suitable prosthesis for women after a mastectomy.
Handler died in Los Angeles on 27 April 2002 from complications during surgery for colon cancer.
More Barbie Merchandise
Mattel products expanded to include Barbie’s dream house; furniture; a variety of vehicles including several pink Corvette convertibles, trailers and jeeps; a menagerie of pets.
Recent merchandise includes Barbie-branded books, fashion and video games.
Barbies retelling of classic tales such as The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Nutcracker, Rapunzel and Swan Lake have sold millions in DVD sales.
She scored a cameo role in Toy Story 2 in 1999.
The Barbie empire has expanded into retail, a signature perfume, apparel and accessories and make-up. Barbie became the face of MAC Cosmetics’ Spring Collection in 2007.
Competition From Sindy And Bratz
Barbie faced serious competition when Britain’s Pedigree Dolls and Toys launched the Sindy fashion doll in 1963 as her rival. Sindy’s wholesome look and fashion range made her more popular in the UK. Sindy’s demise began with a lawsuit and she was eventually delisted in 1997.
Barbie’s popularity continued to grow during the 1990s. Over a billion dolls are now sold worldwide in 150 countries.
The Bratz dolls outsold Barbie in the UK since 2001 and they still remain Barbie’s biggest competition.
However, Saudi Arabia outlawed Barbie doll sales in September 2003 because she did not conform to Islam’s ideals. The “Jewish Barbie dolls” were deemed decadent and “offensive to Islam” with their “revealing clothes” and “shameful postures”.
Some Middle Eastern countries have adopted their own version of Barbie—an alternative called Fulla—more acceptable to a Muslim market. Sara and Dara dolls are alternatives to Barbie in Iran.
A new book, Barbie and Ruth: The Story of the World's Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her, by Robin Gerber (Collins) is due for release.
Back to Barbie Celebrates 50 Years
[1] Daily Mail, Man who created Barbie and Ken dolls was 'kinky swinger with manic need for sexual gratification', 8 January 2009
[2] Los Angeles Times, Ruth Handler, Inventor of Barbie Doll, Dies at 85, 28 April 2002
[3] Ken 101, The Real Ken®...Ken Handler
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