Ruth Handler: The Chaotic History Of Barbie's Creator

This video is made for ADULT doll collectors and gift givers. Viewer discretion is advised.
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[@onceuponamelody]

I never felt that Barbie pressured me to be thin and pretty as much as my own mother and bullies at school did. With Barbie, I could escape. I love Barbie. And I love that she's even more diverse nowadays.

[@beaumainz]

Same here!! It was always the bullies, & kids sitcoms making tons of fat jokes that made me feel bad about myself :(

[@niabelizaire3596]

Neither did I nor did Barbie make me feel that my blackness was inferior to her Eurocentric features. I had a bunch of white Barbies as well as black Barbies and other Barbies of different ethnic backgrounds growing up. Personally, I believe that some people are projecting their own insecurities onto Barbie.

[@LaBellesGrace]

Same!! Society's cruel and outlandish expectations is what destorys us. Not an 11 inch plastic toy that its sole purpose to exist was to inspire girls in particular.

[@tocabubble2039]

Same

[@evelyn2307]

Same, my cousin who was at that time 9 or 10yrs. Old told my aunt during dinner time she wanted to be Barbie for Halloween, my aunt told her absolutely not because of her weight. I was 8 yrs. Old at the time & I didn’t understand as I got older I realized that comment was absolutely horrible. I’m just glad she’s doing better now. ❤ Two quotes I like “Although a tongue has no bones, it has the ability to break a heart.” & My favorite quote “If you can’t say something nice don’t say nothing at all”. ✌🏻Bambi ❤️

[@debonairprincess4294]

Back in the 50s they made her clothes as glamorous and detailed as they could, now they dress them in PRINTED ON RAGS

[@julieletford5695]

Yes, Barbie went from buying designer to buying clothes at a place like Walmart.

[@feykingjulian]

it is so sad 😭

[@itsbritneybyotch7471]

It pains me to see how hard the quality dropped, we could be getting something better with more advanced technologies etc. and with access to the internet to do research about fashion and all that, the clothes, quality, makeup, hairdo etc. should be better, not worse

[@dani09eveline]

No different than the real life women of today

[@amybeal2507]

Barbie never made me feel bad about my body, magazines, media, and kids at school did that! I knew Barbie’s body was not real and as a kid it was not an issue. I feel like adults projected their mindset and insecurities on Barbie.

[@TheDevos1]

I find it so interesting that kids made fun of Kenneth for that and not for the fact that a doll named after him was dating the doll named after his sister 😭

[@tornadodee148]

because how it hangs down there has always been more important to boys and men than anything else, for some reason.

[@karencarter18042]

Kenneth had or issues besides the kids making fun of him for having a doll named after him. It is said he was the deep in the closet (he was married in 1963 until his death) and was in appropriate with the casting couch , he was a producer. Kenneth died in 1994 of a brain tumor, but it is said the tumor is a complication of a disease that associated with a certain group of men at that time.

[@erinaiwasaki502]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@circusitch]

Kind of like Marty McFly’s mother kissing him and saying it was like kissing her brother.

[@OrchidTingz]

Yeah that's insane and truly shows that it's so important to know your self-worth continue to build your self- esteem and learn how to defend and validate yourself when people try to challenge you and try to get you to question your own worth! 🤍 Especially in adolescent/teen years! I think it's super cool and remarkable she named the dolls after her kids ✨️🎉❤

[@TheLionPear]

She was way ahead of her time. "I wasn't suited to being a stay at home mom". That's a super common sentiment now (one that I share), but back then that must have been practically illegal to feel or say. Even now a lot of women get flack for not wanting to be home makers or around their children 100% of the time.

[@LuvBang28]

We need a Ruth Handler movie. I am sure something is in the works already whether it's a movie, mini series, or a documentary

[@chillkindaguy5]

god yes.

[@BrittnyShrub]

I was thinking that too. And she gives me Bette Davis vibes.

[@citriss]

After seeing Barbie the Movie, I’ve been saying WHEN IS GRETA GIVING US A RUTH HANDLER BIOPIC 🙌🏻

[@megdelaney3677]

I noticed in the Barbie movie, in the end she called herself Barbara Handler, but Barbie's real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

[@imaginefun13]

Well the character of Barbie is called that, but the whole point is that she didn't want to be Barbie anymore

[@niabelizaire3596]

@imaginefun13 Hence why she was ditching her nickname and referring to herself by her real name. Barbie ditching her nickname symbolizes a new chapter in her life and living as a human instead of a plastic doll.

[@TheAlexgallardo2000]

This was sadder then I expected …

[@emilyfoster6487]

When Connie told her "you are successful" and Ruth said I know" at 24:01 I wanted to cry. Like she needed to be told that after everything that happened she should still be proud of all her accomplishments

[@karenstimson2683]

There are a couple of factual errors in your video. One: the Miss Revlon doll DID have a bust--she came in a bra and girdle with stockings, and had an adult female figure, though not as busty as Barbie. There was also a Little Miss Revlon doll that was a 10 and a half inch version of the bigger doll, and who had a huge wardrobe of separately-sold fashions. I suspect that this was the inspiration for Barbie's large wardrobe. Two: Ruth Handler was not the only female toy executive in the industry. There were several others, of which the main one was Madame (Beatrice) Alexander, who ran a very successful company which is still around today. Other early female toy executives included Virginia Graves, founder of the Vogue doll company that made the popular 8-inch Ginny dolls, and Nancy Ann Abbott, founder of the Nancy Ann doll company.

[@sakunaruful]

Mj Tanner did a fabulous video on this topic. FunkyFrog Bait also did a video on this topic.

[@julieletford5695]

I had Ginny, too.

[@merrillyu-gi-ohfan01king]

I love this episode. In fact, Ruth Handler named Barbie after her daughter and Ken after her son.

[@ghitarakik8508]

Exactly . Barbie and ken are barbara and kenneth

[@CustardCream22]

Yes that was mentioned.

[@LaBellesGrace]

What a force Ruth Handler was to be reckoned with! 21 years onwards and I hope her spirit truly knows that she did succeed in life. Her creation has continued to aspire so many. Rest peacefully Ruth 💗

[@caitslovley]

people say that barbies “influence kids to be be skinny” but as a kid i never really thought of barbie like that. I almost cried while watching this too!

[@c.w.2000]

I didn’t know about Ruth’s second career making breast prosthetics. My grandmother had a mastectomy in 1980, and I can appreciate the courage it took Ruth to stand in front of a group in her bra with one fake breast. Her appearances would have also raised awareness for breast cancer, which was not spoken about as much at the time.

[@riven2715]

I like all your videos but I LOVE when you do these more "historic" ones, talking about the backstory of dolls, their evolution, basically giving us a lesson 😅😂 Thanks for another great video and keep it up!!!

[@danielleshinbine2076]

I second this! It's so interesting when he really delves into the history of the dolls. There's so much behind the scenes information that I love to learn about

[@hopelessromantic8682]

I would love to share my Barbie story. Don’t know if anyone cares but it is an important part of my life. I’m 37 now but when I was 6 I was given a Crystal Hearts Barbie by my brother and his friend (which was so sweet. They were just young teenagers at the time!) for my birthday. I remember being so in love with that doll. My family and I traveled to Central America where a missionary family gave my sister and I a large box of Barbies and a Barbie house. We cherished those dolls. We named them, they each had personalities. We made up stories for them all including a quacky old lady, a weird homeless guy, 😂 the perfect couple, the teenager and her brother who was trying to raise her, a professional baseball player and the list goes on. I can remember their voices, their faces and their stories. We spent hours and hours creating their world. Often times, when things got tough, we would play with the sound of our parents arguing in the background. We would play when things in real life didn’t make sense. When a massive hurricane wiped out all electricity and water and we were stuck on a mountain for days, we played. Those dolls were a comfort and a life anchor during a really dark and often dangerous part of our life in the late 90’s. If it hadn’t been for those dolls, we might have gone a little crazy. 😂

[@pinkarate1]

Thanks for sharing your story. I don't think I've ever read something so poignant and heartfelt about the impact Barbie had on one child's life. I hope Joey sees this, and I hope you share it on other Barbie channels. It's just beautiful! Would love to know if you still have any of the dolls, and are you a collector as an adult?

[@hopelessromantic8682]

@@pinkarate1 Thank you! Unfortunately when we moved back to America in 2000, we had to give most the dolls away because we just couldn’t fit them in luggage. I believe a couple of favorite dolls made their way into our carryon 😉 but I don’t have any of them anymore. Somewhere down the line they ended up in a charity or thrift store. Maybe some other child had just as much fun as we did with them. ❤️

[@arcticxabyss]

it's interesting to learn how mattel was founded as well as how much barbie has changed over the years.

[@Toywithme200]

Fun fact: ruth handlers husband elliot created HOT WHEELS.⭐

[@Lisafromel0dy]

That's so cool😮

[@MugshotMidge]

Bild Lilli is a secretary, not a prostitute or a racy character…

[@LaBellesGrace]

Love that Disney and Mattel's complicated history begin with the actual creators coworking together 😂 history made! Absolutely loved this video Joey. These type of doll history are my favourite from you.

[@emmeoliver5007]

Even though she had her troubles and wasn’t perfect I respect the hell out of Ruth Handler. She paved the way for so many women and helped so many women and girls feel better about themselves through Barbie and her breast cancer products. The constant need to prove herself and still desiring that even after you’ve achieved so much success is something I will always relate to. I’m so happy that the Barbie movie introduced me to her and thank you Joey for teaching me so much about this amazing woman!

[@brvndxxxn]

Great tale! “Who run the world? Ruth Handler”

[@Shift0231]

A true ‘boss lady’ and trail blazer, paving the way for career women and breaking the glass ceiling. She employed a number of capable women in her company and allowed them the freedom to wear pants and pantsuits at a time when it was frowned upon and considered unfeminine. I have a signed copy of her biography - Dream Doll: The Ruth Handler Story published in 1994 which I highly recommend. It’s quite the remarkable achievement to think she helped found a multi-billion dollar corporation that is still going strong more than half a century later and to create a doll that is easily the most recognisable and outsold every other around the world.

[@vandapereira895]

Ruth Handler, I can't help but admire her in every aspect, she was an amazing woman !!! Plus, Barbie is definitely one of my biggest passions !!!! I truly wish I met her so I could personally thank her ! She was everything Barbie stands for !

[@iamsoverybored878]

I met her at a doll show, and she signed one of my dolls. I still have that doll.

[@cance7984]

Barbie will be EVERYWHERE for the 2023 Halloween and holiday season.

[@clos4824]

This video was excellent! I already knew a few facts here and there, but I learned a lot more. It's cool that Disney and Mattel go WAY back. It would've been interesting if Mattel had produced Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora dolls back then. They would probably be worth a lot of money.

[@nataliekmaguire]

What an incredible story, and excellent storytelling from you! I'm now disappointed the Barbie movie showed her as little more than a sweet maternal old lady instead of the driven trailblazer she was.

[@kelseyd4196]

Oh my gosh! This video was so full of cool info about Ruth Handler. I loved all my Barbies growing up and had no idea how much history was behind their creation. I recently found your channel Joey and I'm so glad I did. I happily subscribed and am really enjoying your videos. Thanks for all your research, honesty and love that goes into them!

[@magdlynstrouble2036]

Having been a collector for 10 years i knew a lot of Ruth's Barbie history, but not the info about her son being gay and her having had breast cancer and designing a better prosthesis for survivors! How sad she died of yet one more cancer. Its a terrible way to go. 💖

[@rubyhay450]

Wish you did captions for it but love that you did a backstory of the creator of Barbie.

[@control4230]

Love me a good documentary style episode, very interesting and enjoyable :)

[@ChronoUchiha]

The story sounds similar to the lady who created Barney for her son. The child resented his mother for creating Barney and not being around.

[@chillkindaguy5]

Love how informative your videos are. Great collections too. Btw, that 50$ in 1945/46 for 6 months comes to about 125$ a month, so yes, incredibly cheap even for then.

[@julieletford5695]

I think you should do a video about Barbie's changes through the decades to keep up with the times.

[@xxxoGwen187]

I 💖 this video! Since you made videos of the evolution of Barbie’s house, car and pool. I hope you’ll make the evolution of Barbie’s little clothes and fashion packs. I remember the Barbie fashion greeting card and I think it was either a Barbie comic book or magazine that comes with a dress for the Barbie.

[@JingDalagan]

Halfway through the clip, I realized that this is Barbie's story in the film. And it's heartbreakingly beautiful.

[@benamisai-kham5892]

Genuinely, the only damaging thing barbie did to me was lead me to believe that every grown woman has a full bust. Because when mine never came, i never felt grown up for a good bit in my early teen years leading to my mid teens. My mom always tried to tell me "once youre pregnant...." but...waiting until pregnancy isnt something feasible at 12-14 😭 I wish there was smaller chested adult barbies when i was growing up, because i think it would have helped me accept not having a full bust being what made me a woman, a lot quicker. I always felt like i looked like a child or preteen because thats all the dolls that represented me for most of my early preteen into teen years (even at 26, there arent really adult woman dolls with A cups on the market that I've seen) Even other women ive met, that are small in frame and chest ive heard say things like "i know im built like a child, you can look at my ID im a full grown woman" I think its honestly a shame that even now, people cant look at smaller women and not infantilise them. I never had a great view of my body image, but the one thing that gave me the most body euphoria ever? Funny enough, sci-fi movie The Fifth Element. The perfect being is a small framed, small chested woman. Not a full curved, shaped, bodiced woman; the woman body type most people consider not a woman, but a little girl. (Please, please dont take this part as me saying that other body types arent beautiful, because i believe everyone is beautiful in their own right no matter who they are, no one singular thing dictates what is beautiful. Which is where the anger comes from, is the dictation of whats considered womanly or beautiful) Its genuinely so hurtful never being viewed as a woman because i wasn't gifted with a larger cup size. Even to this day, i constantly have people telling me that i look like a child, and its exhausting. I struggle to even date properly as to avoid people who specifically like me because i look young (it has been very reoccuring for years) or to avoid people judging my partner because they think im a child with an older man etc. Its honestly attributed to my agoraphobia quite a bit, because its genuinely embarrassing when you're carded and the person carding you brings over 3-7 people to come confirm you dont look your age. Its frustrating most of all--constantly affirming to others that I'm a woman, because theres been points where it feels more like im affirming it to myself, because i haven't figured out what makes me a woman since no one else sees it. It isnt even about the way i dress or carry myself; i dress in modest yet still elegant outfits (i tend to cover my skin as much as i can because i personally dont feel comfortable showing any majority of my skin around people who arent my partner due to personal morals and trauma, but also a bit of body dysmorphia) and carry myself with a lot of proper etiquette that was beat into my head as a child so i could present myself in the adult world without issue...well until the adult world decided that i will forever look like a child because i only developed an A cup. I myself, took probably until i was 22 to realize it wasn't ny chest that made me a woman, and even after that I struggled because i never fit any body standards to make me beautiful, only cute...like a child (see how it loops around in everything unfortunately.) Partners would like me because i looked so young (gag) but would treat me like i was too sometimes, and it was offensive. I was the same age and they looked down at me for not looking as 'adult' to them (treated my opinion as lesser, often tried to speak for me or over me, etc.) Also please note i said outfits. I did not specify any clothing because no clothing dictates your gender. I simply meant i dont wear young adult cuts of clothing (things that maybe someone in late high school or freshman in college may consider trendy) that might give someone the impression im younger. I dress to present myself but also to represent; a mixture of looking presentable in hospitable company and still showing who i am within my outfits. (I don't expect anyone to live within my confines of dressing like someone from the 1880s dont take it as me shaming clothes either please, as ive expressed i live by my own morals, that doesnt mean everyones are going to line up with mine, which is better because everyone deserves to be distinct.) i want to outwardly carry and present myself as the woman that I am and know i am, regardless of how others decide to view me; because there are plenty of lovely people who do see me as a woman, not a child. Which is the beautiful power of dressing yourself to present and represent :)

[@nessierey6721]

What a gem of a Video!!!! Thank you! I really wanted to know more about her 🎀💕 you are fantastic dude!!

[@Ladybug.123]

Thank you, Joey, for doing this video! I learned so much about the history of Barbie that I did NOT know!

[@kendn01]

I wish I could give this multiple thumbs up. Fascinating stuff very nicely done.

[@maddiejoy6619]

I understand that a parent would want to name their invention after their children... But it's always been incredibly bizarre to me that Barbie and Ken were named after a brother and sister 😬. I understand Barbie, but name another toy after your son. Not the boyfriend of the doll named after his sister...

[@Ashholey]

I am fascinated by Ruth and can relate she... is an inspiration..Thank you for this video

[@PandoraBoxPanda]

That was a brilliantly produced video by you Joey congratulations well done

[@mothermoogie4564]

Barbie was a beautiful doll who made me feel I could be beautiful too, when I grew up.

[@Antigonex]

i think the karens complaining about the dolls looks had kids who were not of the norm & or felt ugly comparing themselves to the doll

[@Paul_Denton]

By the way, Ruth's parents moved to the USA in 1907 from Warsaw - this city was a part of the Russian Empire at that time :)

[@sarastoychestsaralabadie5713]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this! 😁

[@monikaszymanska3843]

It's like it was said in the movie. People have one end ideas live forever

[@tinysoulwhispers4011]

Oh I found that so moving! Thank you so much. ❤

[@Laura.Gregori]

Great video, Joey! Loved it

[@sillypiratehooker]

Oh, this was good. So good. Thank you. I've been wanting a historical overview of Ruth Handler, and you provided it. Thank you!

[@rainfiredreaming]

Thank you for creating this; it is fascinating to watch.

[@darrellwallace4182]

Fantastic job, Joey! Very well done! I really enjoyed this!

[@matheresamontilla5012]

very touching and full of inspiration and source of motivation to keep going and fighting for our life and our families and love ones

[@pigeoness22]

This was such a great video, you covered everything and did it so well, very informative, thank you :)

[@parkiseul10]

Ah.. Joey! Amazing video as always! 💛 And ngl, I had to hold my tears a few times 🥲🥲

[@naynay-sophia]

Joey that was a fantastic video. I have read a lot about Ruth Handler but you put it all together so nicely. Great information and such fun and interesting clips. Thanks so much!❤

[@erinaiwasaki502]

Thank you for this video!! Your video telling the history of toys are always very fascinating and informative! One of my fav❤

[@laurenmarshall6318]

I’ve been collecting dolls for years and somehow never come across your videos. Love your Channel, thank you ❤

[@Toywithme200]

Wonderful video joey!👋👋👋 Ruth never lived to see the success of the barbie movie, but the m sure she be both amazed and proud of how far her little barbie has come.❤

[@Thatpinksopretty]

Such an amazing life to have lived!Rest in Peace Ruth Handler💗

[@dianewebster3763]

Joey thank you so much for making this video ❤ it really struck a chord with my heart and I will remember it always. I feel much more attached to Ruth now and appreciate her even more❤ Joey you truly are a trail blazer yourself in the doll community that’s for sure, and you should be so proud of yourself- I know Ruth would be proud of this video. You are amazing Joey ❤

[@arianafox365]

I learned so much!!! Loved this vid

[@antonmedvedev1128]

Oh my! What a video you've made! Incredible! Just all the right interview bits, all the right extracts put so delicately together, truly amazing ❤ This has turned out as the ultimate short documentary from you about Barbie and the depths of Ruth's life 👍✊ This is the documentary I'll be recommending to watch and will be watching it with my students 👩‍🎓❤ Thank you sooo much ✊🔥👍

[@Beautyymark]

Yayyy Joey posted❤❤❤

[@seanmathieson4655]

Really enjoyed this! What a wonderful woman ❤ rather touched by her story. Definitely worthy of her own movie!

[@jenm-h4901]

I really enjoyed this - thank you!

[@cutiepieray01]

I thought you were going to say the son didn’t like them Ken doll bc essentially he was then dating his sister

[@InkpadsPlaypad]

Bravo 👌👏 wonderful educational show!!

[@TheGreengirl7]

I love to see Greta Gerwig direct a movie about Ruth Handler's life. 🎬

[@KTtheTaNk7890]

Thank you for another amazing video

[@jeanettedand1698]

Thank you for doing this video

[@louisebrown3121]

I loved this video. Great job.

[@allexisberry7367]

My daughter and I were looking at barbie clothes in the store the other day . They’re so cheap looking . She grew up with lots of hand me downs of barbie dating to 1972 at least . Even she could see it .

[@anastasiaweatherspoon6111]

Barbie never made me feel bad about myself, barbie was my escape to happiness. Ruth was a trailblazer and still is in our hearts.

[@stevenward5909]

Hi there I love watching your videos and reviews you have a fabulous collection of dolls and I look forward to seeing your next video Best wishes from steven in London

[@luizneto1262]

Thank you Ruth

[@aslindehecate]

What a woman. Formidable, flawed, and 'ruthless' 😏 Amazing job as always Joey, I learn so much from your videos.

[@wiktorkaras2312]

I am so glad that you make a video about her, thank you! P.s. Every time you call us doll fans i can only think about dolphins. Actually i dont mind if you would call us dollphins. I like dolphins.

[@coffee1294]

Hi Joey, great video. I've read the book titled Barbie and Ruth and I think that Ruth is an inspiration. What a woman! I wish Mattel would make a doll of her within the Inspiring Women Series. I would rush to buy it. Also, as a woman myself I never thought that Barbie had any damaging influence on the way I looked at my body, it's absurd, right? What I did see through Barbie was my dreams of the future, Barbie could do everything I wanted to do and that was fun.

[@turnersgauge3430]

The only pain that Barbie ever inflicted on me was whenever my siblings and I would hit eachother with them when rough housing got too far lol. But in all seriousness no doll has ever made me question my appearance or make me feel bad about myself. I feel like people who don’t suffer from body dysmorphia or any sort of body image disorder don’t really understand that it’s not something that just a toy can cause.

[@GreenEyedBarbieGirl]

What a great informative video on Barbie. I have never heard the full story of Barbie. Do you have any other information on the doll by Bild (Lilli)? Thanks for sharing.

[@gio_ser5120]

Great video mister ❤

[@lorrainecurran9157]

Amazing video ❤

[@SalvageDolls]

You have the best videos! ❤

[@ingridokamura]

so cool know the history of Ruth and Mattel

[@karen4you]

So well done. I never cared about Barbie's figure. I had trouble with store clerks and mean spirited people. Used to build room boxes for her and my friends dolls came over to visit and we'd make believe all kinds of things not just going to a party.

[@aoarecruiter]

I want a Ruth Handler movie right now. The making of Barbie is so interesting. It's funny how feminists attacked Barbie's appearance however the doll and her creator are the most feminist of all. Ruth was indeed "RUTH" less; she was a smart savvy businesswoman, she was a cancer survivor, and preserved her femininity. Great video.

[@bestrnlynzeep]

Awesome "biography"! (or should I say, "Barbiography"? Thanks so much.

[@nicoletaab7437]

Wow im crying! Strongest woman of all time! Rest in Peace and power Ruth! We will never forget you! This was one of the greatest, saddest and more interesting story’s i have ever heard!! Thank you Ruth!! Thank your for Barbie and thank you for everything you have done!!! You will always be an icon!!!! Just like Barbie!!! You will live on!!! 😪🥹♥️

[@nicoletaab7437]

The Bild Lilli is from Hamburg Germany this is my hometown and I’m so proud I’m from the same city as the doll who was the inspiration for Barbie!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@user-we4nr2di3g]

I’m actually early on my fav KZbinrs vid!!🙈🙈

[@bobiharold8633]

I love and hate the fact that kids made fun of Kennedy for Ken not having anything between his legs and not for the doll being named after him

[@syndyannsulla5367]

love this eipisode

[@IsomerMashups]

Rumattel would have been fine.

[@emilyfoster6487]

😂

[@faeriefish5515]

A fluke is one of the most common fish in the sea. So if you go fishing for a fluke, chances are you just might catch one.

[@lynnedunigan-little908]

Barbies 1960 $3 cost is the equivalent $31.30 in 2023 money. Kind of expensive for the time.

[@carlpayne8008]

I knew about Ruth years before the movie 👍

[@Bionic_Webb]

That’s why Barbie will forever be that girl

[@MinisDunyasi5]

Barbie lore goes a long way