19 Facts About Ruth Handler

Ruth Marianna Handler was an American business magnate and inventor.

Ruth Handler is best known for inventing the Barbie doll in 1959 and being co-founder of toy manufacturer Mattel with her husband Elliot, as well as serving as the company's first president from 1945 to 1975.

Ruth Handler Marianna Mosko was born on November 4,1916 in Denver, Colorado, to Polish-Jewish immigrants Jacob Moskowicz, a blacksmith and Ida Moskowicz.

In 1932, Ruth fell in love with Izzy Handler, an art student.

Ruth Handler returned to work at Paramount and Elliot was employed as a lighting fixture designer.

However, the book points out that on other occasions Ruth Handler said that she saw it in Zurich or Vienna.

The adult-figured doll was exactly what Ruth Handler had in mind.

Ruth Handler purchased three, gave one to her daughter, and took the others to Mattel.

On return to the US, Ruth Handler redesigned the doll with help from local inventor-designer Jack Ryan.

Ruth Handler named the doll Barbie after her daughter Barbara, and said that Barbie was from Willows, Wisconsin.

Ruth Handler had a modified radical mastectomy, which was often done at the time to combat the disease.

Ruth Handler spent less time at Mattel to focus on improving her health.

Ruth Handler received various awards for her philanthropy and business activities.

Ruth Handler was chosen Woman of the Year in Business by the Los Angeles Times, inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame by the Toy Manufacturers of America, received the Volunteer Achievement Award from the American Cancer Society and was the inaugural Woman of Distinction of the United Jewish Appeal.

Ruth Handler pleaded no contest and was fined $57,000 and sentenced to 2,500 hours of community service.

Ruth Handler blamed her illness for making her "unfocused" on her business.

Ruth Handler died on April 27,2002 in California from complications during surgery for colon cancer.

Ruth Handler is portrayed in the 2023 film Barbie by actress Rhea Perlman.

Later, while advising Barbie, Ruth Handler tells her about her creation and how it related to her daughter, Barbara.