How old is Barbie, when was the doll launched by Ruth Handler, what’s her surname and are there any real-life Barbies and Kens?
BARBIE is one of the most well-known household toys for children around the world.
But how old is the popular doll and what is her full name? Here’s what we know…
How old is Barbie?
It’s been 58 years since Barbie first hit the shelves, and hasn't she aged well?
Looking back at Barbie in the 60s, she looks fit to be the First Lady of the United States.
Through the 70s and 80s, Barbie's face grows rounder and friendlier - cracking a smile for the first time in 1976.
Her eyes also gets bigger, as do her eye lashes, and gone are the stern heavy lids of the 60s.
The 90s and 00s becomes all about the pink lip.
Barbie starts looking less childish as her face is made less round again.
What is Barbie’s real name?
Many people think that Barbie is a one-name wonder, like Cher, or Madonna, but it turns out everyone's favourite, pink-wearing doll actually has a middle AND a last name.
That's right, Barbie's full title is actually Barbara Millicent 'Barbie' Roberts.
Her real name actually emerged back in the 1960s, when Random House published several books about her life.
It was revealed her parents - George (an engineer) and Margaret (a housewife) - live in the fictional town of Willows in Wisconsin, US.
She also has three younger siblings - a sister called Skipper and twins Tutti and Todd.
What is Ken’s real name?
It's not just Barbie who was given a proper title and a family history - her boyfriend got in on the action too.
His full name is Kenneth Carson, and according to the Barbie myth, the couple met on the set of a TV commercial in 1961.
Ken's parents are called Dr. Carl and Edna Carson, and he also has a younger brother - Tommy.
When was Barbie launched?
Barbie was launched in March 1959 by American businesswoman Ruth Handler.
She is said to have used a German doll called Bild Lillias her inspiration.
American toy company Mattel has sold over a billion Barbie dolls since she was launched, making it most profitable line in the company.
Are there any real life Barbies and Kens?
Rodrigo Alves, 34, is known as the “Human Ken Doll” thanks to his love of cosmetic surgery and he has spent over £373,000 on various procedures.
So far, the surgery addict has had 51 plastic surgeries and 103 cosmetic procedures - leading to his nickname "The Human Ken Doll".
Currently, Rodrigo is said to be filming his very own reality TV show in the UK and was featured on Botched!.
Rachel Evans has spent £20,000 on plastic surgery to become a real-life Barbie doll.
Rachel has spent £20,000 on plastic surgery - including a boob job (taking her from a 32AA to a 32D), nose job, lip fillers, jaw tightening, Botox, cheek augmentation and eye lift - to make her look like Barbie.
She is especially a fan of Barbie's "frozen" look, saying: “Every woman should be like Barbie and if they don’t they’re doing something wrong.
“When girls judge me it’s because they can’t look like me”.
Kerry Miles is another surgery-obsessed “Barbie” who has spent £100,000 on her quest to look like a human doll.
The beauty therapist, who was bullied for her flat chest at school, first started fashioning herself on plastic idol Barbie in 2010.
She has since spent tens of thousands of pounds on make-up, fake tan, hair extensions, teeth whitening, manicures, pedicures, fake eyelashes and expensive designer clothes.
Valeria Lukyanova is also known for doing everything she could to look like a doll.
The Ukrainian blonde famously spent five years crafting her body into a life-size version of the children's doll.
Breast implants and over-the-top make-up helped, and she made sure her legs stayed slim thanks to her regular workouts.
Earlier this year two Russian pop stars with Barbie obsession faced off in court in bizarre copying row.
