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Biography: Barbie, 50 years on

Article published on the 2009-03-09 Latest update 2009-03-09 16:14 TU

Barbie as Angela Merkel in Hamburg
(Photo: Reuters)

Barbara Millicent Roberts, or Barbie as she is more affectionately known, celebrates her fiftieth birthday on Monday. She was born on 9 March 1959, and was conceived by American businesswomen Ruth Handler, before being adopted by Mattel in 1964.

Hailing from Willows in Wisconsin, Barbie attended Willows High School and has four sisters: Skipper, Stacie, Kelly and Krissy.

She’s a keen horse rider and has a pet horse called Dancer, as well as numerous other animals.

Barbie and Ken in the 1960s
(Photo: Reuters)

The blonde-bombshell has had more than one hundred different jobs, including work as an astronaut, and as White House candidate, although she has never been sacked.

She fell in love with her childhood sweetheart, Ken, in 1961, although the couple endured a difficult breakup on Valentines Day in 2004.

After more than 43 years together, the couple found it hard to live separate lives, and Barbie gave Ken another chance in 2006, once he cleaned up his act.

Barbie has always been immensely popular in the fashion world, and has had outfits created by more than 70 famous designers.

While, her talents extend beyond horse riding and modelling. She has an abundance of musical talent, and has featured in two bands: Barbie and the Rockers, and Barbie and the Sensations.

Pop-group, Aqua, also exclusively paid homage to her in their 1997 hit, Barbie Girl, which enjoyed worldwide success. Although, she took exception to the line, “you can brush my hair, undress me everywhere.”

She also courted controversy in 2003, after Saudi Arabia would not grant her a visa to the country, saying she did not conform to the ideals of Islam.

As part of her birthday celebrations Barbie has unrolled the pink carpet to a brand-new Malibu Dream House. She also be joined by celebrities for an exclusive party at her Californian beachside pad.