From the archives: Barbie creator Ruth Handler on her life before and after the doll

[@phoenixrising2268]

I met Ruth Handler on two separate occasions in the 1990's. She was charming and affable and generous with her time and we immediately struck up a kinship over Barbie. I think she truly loved the connection she had to Barbie fans all over the world. Her life was complicated and controversial - nevertheless she was the honorable force behind a true American icon.

[@angelsunlight]

A true American icon

[@therockbottom5256]

I’d love to know your opinion of Rhea Perlmans depiction of her in the new movie

[@calistafalcontail]

What is honorable about a thief? She stole the entire Barbie idea from Germany. The original is the german Lilli doll. Look it up. She went to Germany and saw the doll and then copied it. Nothing genius about it. Americans, especially jewish americans, love to take credit for other peoples stuff.

[@phoenixrising2268]

@@calistafalcontail Your disgusting anti-Semitic comment doesn't deserve a response, however, you are correct that the original Barbie was based on the German Bild Lilli doll. I was well aware of this fact. The company that owned the rights to it sued Mattel; the case was dismissed and Mattel bought the copyright for $21, 600. I also noted in my comment that Ruth Handler's life was complicated and controversial; I was mostly commenting on my fond memories of my personal interactions with her.

[@itsyaboibiggusdiggus420]

​​@@phoenixrising2268she's an American jew? I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or not but the name "barbie" if one dug deep into the French resistance's history in ww2 is the family name of an SS officer stationed in German-occupied France who is most infamous for personally torturing 14000 people whether be it a jew, a french resistance member, or a deserter with ruthless methods earning him the nickname of "the butcher of Lyon" his name is Klaus Barbie. P.s: I'm not sure if this is pure coincidence or if the creator used klaus's family name for the doll so feel free to correct me

[@wuilmarksalcedo2018]

Wow I can't believe I didn't see this before, such a great story, thank you Ruth Handler for creating such an iconic doll who is love by many people around the world. Your name will always be remembered in history.

[@calistafalcontail]

She stole the idea from Germany. There was a doll called Lilli in Germany before Barbie and it looked like the first Barbie. She went to Germany and after she came back, she made Barbie. Not enough people know that and celebrate her iconic idea even though credit goes to Germany...like for so many things.

[@thelostandlonelysoul7973]

Echosero, dami mong ebas!

[@lancer717]

@@calistafalcontailno wonder why Barbie looks german

[@RealTalkWithRickyPaquiot]

*Oh, so that's the creator of Barbie dolls! Ruth Handler looks so marvelous for her age back then!*

[@Mrs.Milkins23]

😢

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

My Mother had a mastectomy in her early 50's. Although she never had reconstructive surgery, she did wear the breast molds placed into a bra that Ruth Handler demonstrates here. I never knew that Handler helped to pioneer this for women. My Mom lived 30 more years (cancer free!) but since passed at age 80. On behalf of her, I thank you, Ruth Handler, for helping to ease the challenge of her breast cancer, surgery, and recovery to a life beyond cancer. 💝

[@DaniellaCartwright]

My mom wears them too

[@Mademoiselle_Opossum]

👍💖💖💖

[@missmustache4207]

She is a woman’s haunted by the mistakes she made in life or the ways she wasn’t like other mothers and it keeps her from enjoying what she created. A true complicated story. I wonder if she hadn’t of come across such adversity as a women in business , how her story would of gone.

[@Gigiwalters]

I had no idea the struggles Ruth went through, she is a true legend

[@calistafalcontail]

You also have no idea that Barbie is a stolen idea. Its just a copy of the german Lilli doll that came first. Nobody acknowledges this enough but you can look it up.

[@simpysompywomb5470]

@@calistafalcontailwelp too bad they weren’t good at marketing, it’s all business baby

[@Mademoiselle_Opossum]

​@@calistafalcontail, жаль, что немецкая фирма не смогла развить и расширить эту идею! ☹️ У меня до сих пор цела немецкая кукла (не Лилли, другая), подаренная мне моим отцом в 1969 году! 💖

[@tdbarton7712]

Such a fascinating story of a remarkable woman. I am many decades past my first Barbie, a hand-me-down from older sisters and never knew she was designed by this lovely lady.

[@sharonkaysnowton]

I am glad Ruth Handler decided to create "Barbies". I am an old lady and Barbies have given me great comfort- they make me smile.

[@ShellyBomb]

I love how Ruth Handler was remembered and acknowledged in the 2023 💖 "BARBIE" 💖 movie; what a remarkable woman!

[@angelab9819]

She is such an inspiration to women

[@fiend_gaming]

My mom loved Barbie, so by proxy ive always enjoyed them for what they are. Also love her response to the set up questions lol

[@DenverEight]

It's fascinating that the life of Barbie it's mother was one full of struggle and an attempt to stand in dignity with what they were and who the represented.

[@serenat2411]

What are you talking about - she literally plagiarized the concept from a German doll

[@MeowMeow_95_]

And she was caught embezzling money and was later kicked out of the company…

[@calistafalcontail]

A woman who steals ideas and designs has no dignity. She straight up copied the german Lilli doll and named it Barbie.

[@princesssadieloo]

She stole Bild Lilli and the original maker received close to nothing and had to shut down! Fraud!

[@59Alaskan]

​​@@calistafalcontail I am 64 yrs old, born the same year that Barbie came out. (When did YOU find out and how?) Don't be getting on people who love the Barbie ideal, and the woman behind it!! Until a couple of weeks ago, I never heard about that!! 🤨😂 Now, that being said, I looked the doll up..I was going to say, that doll was dressed a little risque' and not suitable for kids! Then after doing a bit more searching, found out the following...(and to add, it was said; Barbie WAS modeled after Lili! So...?) "What was the purpose of the Bild Lilli doll?" "First created as a comic-strip character in the Hamburg newspaper Bild-Zeitung, the Bild Lilli doll became so popular that she was immortalized in plastic - and sold as an adult novelty"!!

[@annanyavijay1628]

No matter what who do there will always be people who will remain unsatisfied and unhappy. The most beautiful thing about Barbie is that she is so unique in herself and yet so inclusive of everything and everyone. Growing up I don't remember learning anything bad but only good from Barbie, especially the fact that anything is possible and you can be anything is you dream and work for is. She gives idea of the limitless possibilities and opportunities. I think her contribution in people's childhood is much positive (directly or indirectly). No child would compare herself to Barbie (at least not me) rather a friend. I have a lot of different kinds of barbies with different names personalities, backgrounds. Its something way beyond the adults can imagine because they have boundaries and differences. They are always concluding stuff. Kids don't think that way. They just play with their imagination without differences.

[@patriciacrowley1103]

It's so amazing that she and her husband are a stable couple after all those years, they're truly example of stable couple who wasn't show of and also of a stable family even without loss of one of the members. Best wishes, they're awesome

[@mikem3789]

Ruth (and Elliot/team) deserves 👏👏👏, for being a part of creating a childhood doll/toy/play land experience.

[@rainerpierre]

I’m 42 and a half years old and an avid Barbie collector. I still have them in my collection. If I go to the thrift store and look for them.

[@GO-oi6pc]

The only toy I loved was Barbies… It helped my troubled childhood and it gave me a possibility of what it could be, a career woman

[@F0rev3r.B0red]

She is a very outspoken woman and her husband was also very loving as he never discouraged her hard work and loves her

[@NancyHanson3472]

Good to see Connie Chung again. I remember way back when she was the local news anchor on the CBS affiliate station in Los Angeles, and then when she got to be the national CBS anchor. She was great.

[@michaelclark3667]

I’m loving all the Barbie history I’ve been seeing lately!!!

[@calistafalcontail]

Dig deeper and you will find out that Ruth stole that doll idea from Germany.

[@zinkadu]

The original Barbie doll was a German concept, and copied by Ruth Handler and Matell. The German company sued Matell and Matell ended up buying the rights to the doll.

[@amyt2400]

@zinkadu You are correct that the doll that would later become known as “Barbie” was originally a doll fashioned from a popular West German cartoon. Handler modified it and it took of due to her adeptness at marketing. Some say her late son Ken (RIP) didn’t die from brain cancer but rather from AIDS related complications though many people diagnosed with it and their families, would not often speak about it in public. It was a very difficult and tragic time in NYC when so many people were dying, there was much stigma attached and few fully understood the disease. From what I read, Handler, who had been married with children at one point, came out to his parents upon his AIDS diagnosis in 1990. He died in 1994. He owned a historic wooden home on Grove Street in NYC’s West Village. I recall many friends telling me: “That’s the Ken Doll House”. RIP to him and his Mother. ✡️✡️

[@angelsunlight]

This is so awesome! I was born in 1995 and grew up with both the early 90’s and early 2000s Barbies ❤ I even had a couple mod ones from the late 1960s. What a powerful woman. Thank you for gifting me such a happy memory of my childhood

[@soniaalvarado5372]

What an incredible life! Great story from the archives. Thank you for Barbie, Ruth!

[@DebSherr]

Thank you Ruth Handler for inadvertently making the world a better place for women. ❤ I have a collection of hundreds of Barbie dolls, Ken, Midge, Alan, Francie, Theresa, Tommy, Chelsea, Skipper and so many Hollywood and Rock Stars. I also own a 2009 Barbie Dream house, never opened the box! You are an inspiration to both women and men! We 🩷 Ruth 💃

[@FarewellAphrodite]

I ❤ Barbie too❣️

[@lovestruckcow]

Whoa her story is even more incredible than what was portrayed in the movie!

[@peeweepixie3655]

What a wonderful person. God bless her and her legacy!

[@jlongino51823]

Men have a problem with the law and they are praised. Women do it and her life is over. Ruth lit up the world and didn’t stay unhappy at home. Women aren’t just for cooking, cleaning and children. I’m proud of her. An incredible life.

[@RapidObsessor]

connie is a great, hard hitting interviewer, but ruth certainly hits back with great answers.

[@glenngatlin8475]

She's a strong intelligent woman. Inspiration.

[@KyleGravesLive]

Wow. This woman made a huge impact so cool . I need to invent something

[@vickiemerton4049]

Thank You Ruth I Love Barbie Dolls & Collect Them, Through My Collection I Find My Barbie’s bring Happiness & a Piece of History That No one can ever Take Away from me ❤️💃

[@patriciacrowley1103]

Barbie doll is far from being a superficial doll,she inspired many girls and adults to admire her and of course Barbie shouldn't exist if it weren't for brilliant genious mind behind the most famous doll and marketing worldwide. Ruth Handler forever ♾️🌠

[@missmorris625]

Wow what an incredible woman 🩷 the world is a better place because of her

[@Nicolas-uu3jr]

what a woman... 🕯❤

[@01maggie]

She made my childhood full if fun and happiness. I dreamed of who I could become. I did it too!!❤

[@moniquemonique7543]

What a great American business women ❤

[@jjhbjhbhjgjhgfjhghjg]

Thank you Ruth for giving us Barbie !

[@juanalvarado4723]

The Barbie movie did Ruth and her impact on the world justice

[@kobie1585]

Wonderful story...... Greetings from Ghana 🇬🇭, West Africa

[@liviecarter1854]

Wow what a truly remarkable woman she’s such a inspiration to everyone! It’s a shame that her own children didn’t like Barbie if I was them I’ve would have been honored! She would had been so proud of the new Barbie movie! 😊❤️

[@ILvIsekai]

I highly doubt it. Try to be in their shoes.

[@codymerrell5387]

Thank You Ruth Handler for Barbie 🩷😎👍⭐

[@alanesmith3053]

An admirable woman!! 💖

[@Katwoman4318]

I loved my Barbie’s. Wish I kept them all. Ken was teased by us as well. Loved my Cop Barbie, because I was once one. 💙

[@deborahbaker4770]

THAT’S WRONG MY AUNT WAS THE FIRST WOMAN DOCTOR AT OAK PARK HOSPITAL IN OAK PARK ILLINOIS ‼️👍🏻😊💕💕 SHE DELIVERED MY SISTER AND I IN 1958 & 1959 AND 👍🏻 SHE LIVED IN LYONS ILLINOIS AND HER VERY FIRST PATIENT’S WERE SO POOR THAT THEY PAID HER WITH CHICKEN’S AND OTHER ITEM’S LIKE THAT. SHE NEVER ASKED THEM FOR MONEY BECAUSE SHE KNEW THEY COULDN’T AFFORD TO SEE A DOCTOR THIS WAS IN THE AL CAPONE ERA SHE WAS A GREAT DOCTOR AND I’M SO PROUD THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO PROVE THAT WOMAN CAN BE DOCTOR’S ‼️💯👍🏻💕💕💕💕💕

[@AshaA2]

This is crazy and so interesting to read this comment since I live in Oak Park. Kudos to your aunt that is such an amazing story.

[@sissysovereign1294]

I really don't know how to feel about her..Had I never heard of the story behind the real German creator of the original Lili(or Barbie as the world now know her) I probably wouldn't be looking at her in such a questionable light. Sure Handler made Barbie popular but I really can't help but feel for the toymaker who got shafted in the process of having his love child taken from under his nose. Props to her beating breast cancer and making the best out of a bad situation though

[@evasdorling7555]

Yeah, I cannot see her as the creator of barbie or a true American icon like the people in the comments are claiming she is, nor an inspiration. Knowing how the person behind the concept and doll died sad and broke for the injustice and greed of this woman and husband.

[@princessadora]

thanks for sharing i didn't know she was plagiarised.

[@ruthosornio7779]

​...the German doll was a German sex doll though...

[@CCAnne]

@@evasdorling7555right?! Why is this not being shared and discussed?

[@sissysovereign1294]

@Millicent90 Sex doll is a little inaccurate since she was still blank down there and had no artificial genitalia/flesh light/anus to mess with. She was more so one of the first waifu/pinup figurines for men to perch on their shelves somewhere in their houses for decoration. And even if Lili/Barbie didn't have the most purest beginnings, you have to admit the designs are nearly identical. Ruth didn't even try to make her look different aside from updating her clothes and ponytail into the iconic swimsuit and curly bangs we know now. Had I never heard of the original German concept and somebody showed me a surviving picture of Lili's model standing next to Barbie's with no context whatsoever? I would have assumed that they were the same dolls but styled differently.

[@zenamorgan1754]

I have been a Barbie fan since the age of 10. She was my favorite doll. I got my first A-frame orange Barbie dream house. I played with it up until August 15. I need to buy purchased for myself Barbie magical mansion. For me personally Barbie has been a friend, someone who stood by me when things were rough, someone who never judged me, someone who thought I was great just the way I was. She’s the ultimate friend now as a grown adult I have at least 500 of friends. Like her.

[@mattinaruita3488]

Thank u Ruth Handler for making Barbie❤❤❤

[@kitteekittee4010]

Shes absolutely amazing

[@thatgardeninggirl2864]

I never liked barbie dolls, but i loved my baby dolls man I wish i had kept the barbies i had from the 80s

[@OmaticayaWarrior]

I was as tomboyish as they came but I always hated people being mean to Barbie or hating on pink. Girls rock

[@nakeyagore8356]

I thoroughly enjoyed playing with Barbies as a little girl. Miss my dolls and have thought about collecting a few as an adult (but I hear that's how it starts!) Love that my mom sought out black Barbies 🤎 so I could see myself in play. When I was older, she told me that was intentional. We added all the Barbies of the rainbow, too. Fun, sweet memories.

[@edwardnashen5960]

Handler was Amazing!!!✨Bravo Ruth!🌹🌹🌹

[@patriciacrowley1103]

Barbie is also a symbol for women fighting cancer because she had to fight against breast cancer herself and she designed breast protesis for women who dealt with this illness as well.

[@GorgieClarissa]

it was so great to see barbara handler in the new barbie movie. full circle

[@tasneembakhit]

It's good you've brought this interview forward

[@nikkomerriweather4165]

Totally loved Ruth for this because she went through so much and also going through cancer was very challenging and scary. She never gave up.❤️. Thank you Ruth for making Barbie because she is everything and we are just like her just like she is one of us❤❤❤❤. What a legend you really are. Rest well dear legend.🥹❤️

[@CoolKid-ye1kq]

She is so amazing I look up to her so much ❤ I just love her❤

[@Sarah-kq3tr]

What an interesting woman who seems to have stayed pretty true to herself.

[@CharoArtundo1]

THANK YOU! I was looking for this interview everywhere and couldn't find it!

[@kennethdrake7686]

Wow this was a great interview.

[@KingNate03]

Connie Chung is such a badass!

[@nostalgia545]

She was rude. Why point out the irony of the breast cancer?

[@skyewindsor9418]

^100%, that was such a callous remark by Connie

[@l.c.7507]

She is looking for validation from her daughter... ironic. You a legend ❤ thank you

[@Gigi_19_75]

Would love to see Ruth's story on the Big Screen

[@chandhand6539]

the barbie movie has very impactful scenes with Ruth

[@evasdorling7555]

It would need to actually tell how everything started, and that is admitting how the stole Barbie from a German creator.

[@marysorocko5256]

Thank you Ruth!!

[@Hannah-y2z]

This is quite inspiring

[@doublebanana-de3dt]

Wow. I'm so grateful CBS has put this out there again. I would have never learned about Ruth's story if I hadn't watched the Barbie movie this week. This video is not the conventional profile, the very good interviewing and the questions really do pack emotional punch, later on!

[@BananaKing274]

Thank you for sharing this archival video.

[@nikeprojock]

we need a biopic of this female

[@isabelcabanas7964]

I’ve always loved Barbie, thank you Ruth

[@PreciousPayne-i5k]

Same here

[@salvambala7779]

She really is a legend 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@46st]

God Bless her family

[@jeepgirljody]

Wow Connie Chung 1994! High fives from a Denver native to Ruth.

[@jae6506]

What a ground breaking woman👏🏽

[@calistafalcontail]

No she wasnt. She stole that idea from germans. Look up Lilli-doll Germany and you will see what I mean. You can even find articles about the stolen legacy of Barbie. Ruth copied the Lilli doll and named it Barbie.

[@xiovega7204]

Ruth Handler may you be proud in heaven of the amazing work you did here on earth because truly we are. Thank you. 🤍

[@nspencer77]

That was a great interview! ❤❤❤

[@youmademyday4870]

Not to disrespect her but the whole design of Barbie IS basically Bild Lilli,a German doll. She basically bought It and made It more glam and kids appropiate.

[@elizabethchint2391]

Everything since the beginning of time started with inspiration.

[@X3000Chan]

True, Bild Lilli was the doll incarnation of a cartoon strip which was modeled after a beautiful and idealistically proportioned German young adult woman. Handler had the idea for an adult-looking doll for her daughter because her daughter didn't like baby dolls. She brought up the idea to Mattel executives, and they weren't at all interested. When Habdler and her daughter were on a trip to Germany they saw the Bild Lilli doll in a window and were "transfixed" and bought two and took them home to America. The Lilli doll, based on a comic strip about a sexy and sassy secretary, was created as a toy of sorts, for men, as something of a gag gift that men might be given as a joke or at a bachelor party. And she eventually came as a brunette too. The line between "inspiration" and "plagiarism" can be a fine one, but the first Barbie was nearly identical to the Bild Lilli doll, and the bathing suit she wore was identical to the one the brunette Lilli doll wore, but black and white instead of red and white). Companies or people can be sued and have to pay up when their product or song or whatever it is, is clearly the same as the one from the company suing. And so that's what happened, and Mattel had to settle with the German Company that produced the Lilli doll. Mattel later bought the rights to the Lilli doll and put it out of production to obviously ensure they were the only ones making it, but if they had been ethical and moral, they would have just done all of that from the start. This is very much a case of the idea of "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission", although in their case, in my opinion, it was better to settle a lawsuit than take a chance on a doll and buy the rights to it before they knew how popular it would be. You can find all of this out if you look up the Bild Lilli doll. Handler did take what was essentially a mildly popular gag gift for adult men, and turn it into an empire and a beloved toy for children, and she did have an idea to create an adult doll (so I've read) so in that sense, I do think she was extremely creative and obviously such a great entrepreneur. The Lilli doll may have died out in Germany, but we've had Barbie for decades now and will probably for decades to come, do to her brilliant marketing (and the new Barbie movie is a part of it. Did you know that Mattel has a film division dedicated to finding ways to bring their toys to the big screen? She also really changes with the times too, and that's a big part of her lasting success) and love from millions of fans worldwide.

[@princessadora]

@@elizabethchint2391 that's a blatant copy

[@adiroseschierbaum6445]

Omg Ruth is the original Barbie beautiful, independent, and knows what she wants! Props to her

[@kaylavarela7215]

She handled this interview very well.

[@ryanwalsh467]

The irony in how attacked she was in this interview

[@oceanblueheart1472]

Bild Lill doll was made for men only sold in Tobacco Shops & Adult bookshops. Ruth did not copycat but coincidentally she just made a near similar of her own making. At the time the World is not like today's fast informative high tech. Even tho the German Bild Lill sued, Barbie earned the Rights to Exist as a Product aimed for children girls & later expanded to the more divert present all gender. Ruth Handler was a true legend.

[@ILvIsekai]

People complaining don't know what inspiration works. Lego wat inspired from another toy the founder saw. Ut sucks but that's how the world was

[@anthonysport63]

I was lucky enough to have a Matel building right by my house and growing up in the late 90s early 2000s me and my sister were toy testers for them. we got play with and see new toys before they even hit the market. what a fun time it was. after every toy testing we got pick out a toy to keep. Matel back then was every kids dream making some of the best toys.

[@christinal3041]

She is very wonderful lady god bless her

[@bonnie3937]

I grew up in the 1950's. I think it is ridiculous to project so much social and body image problems on Barbie.

[@Couffaine1902]

Ruth Handler was so sweet and she reminds me of my grandma 🥹 Also, to clarify things a bit more, Barbie and Ken were *not* inspired by Barbara and Kenneth Handler, the Barbie doll was inspired by the Bild Lilli doll, and the Ken doll was inspired by heartthrobs of the late 1950s like the actor Troy Donahue, and their full names are Barbara Millicent Roberts and Kenneth Sean Carson, but I would like if Mattel would change the name Kenneth to something else to avoid awkwardness 😅 They could go for Kent maybe I mean they changed Kelly/Shelly’s name to Chelsea so

[@EnglishOnly-q9w]

You can stick whatever story on it you want and add all the anecdotes you can find. She named the dolls after her kids give your head a shake. Do you think it's just a coincidence that the dolls are named "Barbie & Ken" and her kids are "Barbra and Kenneth".

[@ruzzelladrian907]

This woman is a survivor.

[@cristinebriones20]

SHE'S AN AMAZING WOMAN RUTH HANDLER❤

[@mzurilovebeautyfragranceslove]

I need a biopic ASAP

[@herlifemusings23]

Not with me crying after watching this 😭

[@nallelyxo444]

such a classy and intelligent legend & beautiful 😢🩷✨

[@foxygrandpa864]

Interviewer: "You are successful." Ruth: "I know that." So Barbie!

[@SleepyT23]

I busted up at the tax evasion line in the movie. They really did such a great job.

[@websurfer8670]

She need a movie

[@compactgirl]

The actual autograph is worth more at auction than the product it was written on..... hope someone got an autograph that read with love ruth instead of a personalized one like to Ken from ruth...

[@leannestrong1000]

They should really have a "Grandma Barbie."

[@Gancanna]

They had a grandma doll in the Happy Family doll series about 1990. I think she got overlooked thanks to the fuss over the pregnant Midge doll in the same doll line.

[@PhimbleG-d]

Thank you Ruth ❤️

[@alextroy9202]

I never know that she created Barbie, or named them after he children

[@Satanna.avemaria]

My godmother hated the idea of her daughter playing with barbie. So what transpired was her daughter fought another girl who had a barbie and my godmother bought her barbie ever since 💖🌸

[@barbarjinks8170]

What a cool lady!!

[@kevinkylietolibas9071]

What amazing woman ❤❤

[@CraigStanley]

Great story!!!!!