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Barbie has had over 80 careers

The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler (co-founder of Mattel), whose own daughter was called Barbara. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York city. The doll was intended to be a teenage fashion doll. The Ken doll was named after Ruth's son. Barbie had bendable legs in 1965.

Barbie has had more than 80 careers — from a rock star to a paleontologist to a presidential candidate. Barbie's first career was that of a teenage fashion model.

Barbie represented a candidate for President in 1992 and stood for it gain in 2000 with a platform of opportunities for girls, educational excellence and animal rights.

The military series of Barbie`D2 dolls, representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, went through approvals by the Pentagon to ensure the most realistic costumes.

Barbie was introduced in Europe in 1961.

Italian was the first nationality Barbie represented in the Dolls of the World Collection.

Barbie is currently marketed in more than 150 nations around the world.

Barbie has represented 45 different nationalities.

Barbie has had over 43 pets, including 21 dogs, 12 horses, 3 ponies, 6 cats, a parrot, a chimpanzee, a panda, a lion cub, a giraffe and a zebra.

The best-selling Barbie ever was Totally Hair Barbie`D2, with hair from the top of her head to her toes.

Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken`D2 doll, made his debut two years after Barbie, in 1961.

Ken`D2 doll was named after the son of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler.

The first Barbie sold for $3.

— Compiled by Gaurav Sood