Who would think that our favorite doll, the ever youthful-looking Barbie, (full name - Barbara Millicent Roberts), is turning 50, on Monday, March 9th. In true Barbie style, she will celebrate her birthday at her dream house - a 3,500 sq. ft. mansion in Malibu, California.
The rented home has been given a full-makeover for Monday night's party and includes everything Barbie would have liked in her dream home. Her bedroom is lined with plush pink carpet, with her initial embedded on it, while her closet has been filled with 50-pairs of high-heeled pink shoes. Parked in her garage, is her signature pink Volkswagen Beetle. The kitchen is equipped with ingredients to make cupcakes and in the fridge, chilling for Monday's big party is - you guessed it - pink champagne!
The guests will sip the champagne, while sitting on strait-laced Barbie chairs, under a custom chandelier made from 60 blond Barbie wigs. While there, they will be able to browse through a museum that holds 25 vintage Barbie dolls and admire an original Andy Warhol painting of the icon herself, estimated to be worth about $200,000 USD. The guest list comprises of many celebrities, including 90-year old Elliot Handler, the co-creator of the doll and his daughter, Barbara, Barbie's namesake, and the reason for her existence.
For those of us not invited to this big shingdig, there is a consolation prize. Mattel, the company that makes Barbie is releasing a replica of the first Barbie doll that was ever made. It will be available for just one week and at the 1959 price of $3USD - so be sure to get your collector's doll as soon as possible.
Ruth and her husband Elliot created Barbie in 1959, after realizing that there were no 'big' girl dolls available for their daughter Barbara to play with. Launched on the Mickey Mouse Club, Barbie immediately became a huge hit, with 350,000 dolls sold in the first year.
Fifty years later, she remains as popular with three Barbie's being sold in the world every second. It is estimated that 90 percent of American girls between the ages of 3-10 own a Barbie doll, even today. To read about this and other celebrations planned for Barbie's big day check out: http://barbiestyle.barbie.com/events.html. Happy Birthday Barbie!
Source: The Independent, nytimes.com,lasnark.com, xinhuanet
