Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Barbie

Our calendar tells us that today is Commonwealth Day in the former British Empire, while Tasmania is celebrating Eight Hours Day. Sure, New Zealanders are observing something called Taranaki Anniversary Day and Purim begins at sundown, but the real star of this March 9 is, of course, Barbie Millicent Roberts. On this, her 50th birthday, we present ten fun facts about the world’s favorite plastic quinquagenarian:

10. Barbie is from Willows, Wisconsin and attended Willows High School.

9. Andy Warhol created a silkscreen portrait of Barbie in 1985. It is owned by Mattel and is currently hanging in the 3,500-square-foot “Malibu Dreamhouse” decorated by Jonathan Adler.

8. Barbie has four sisters: Skipper (1964), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995), and Krissy (1995).

7. Barbie’s first pet was a horse named Dancer. Her 49 other pets have included dogs, horses, ponies, cats, a parrot, a chimpanzee, a panda, a lion cub, a giraffe, and a zebra.

6. Barbie’s first boyfriend, Ken, debuted in 1961. He was named after the son of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler.

5. The first Barbie doll sold for $3.00.

4. Approximately 105 million yards of fabric have been used in making clothing for Barbie (and friends), making Mattel one the largest apparel manufacturers in the world.

3. Ken and Barbie broke up on Valentine’s Day in 2004 after being together for more than 43 years.

2. The best-selling Barbie doll ever was 1992 Totally Hair Barbie, with hair from the top of her head to her toes.

1. Barbie has had more than 108 careers, including astronaut and rock star in the same year (1986).

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