# Ruth Handler

> American businesswoman

**Wikidata**: [Q242034](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q242034)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Handler)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ruth-handler

## Summary
Ruth Handler was an American businesswoman, entrepreneur, and inventor best known as the co-founder of Mattel and the creator of the Barbie doll. Her innovative vision transformed the toy industry and established Barbie as a global cultural icon.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 4, 1916
- **Died**: April 27, 2002
- **Nationality**: American
- **Education**: Attended the University of Denver and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- **Known for**: Co-founding Mattel and creating the Barbie doll
- **Employer(s)**: Mattel (co-founder)
- **Field(s)**: Business, entrepreneurship, toy manufacturing

## Contributions
Ruth Handler co-founded Mattel in 1945, which became a leading toy company. In 1959, she launched the Barbie doll, the first fashion doll with adult features, revolutionizing the toy industry. Barbie evolved into a global media franchise, influencing fashion, culture, and career aspirations. Handler also contributed to entrepreneurship, with her work recognized in academic and business circles.

## FAQs
**Who created Barbie and when was it launched?**
Ruth Handler created the Barbie doll, which was officially introduced on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

**What is Ruth Handler's educational background?**
Ruth Handler attended the University of Denver and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

**What awards did Ruth Handler receive?**
Ruth Handler received the Los Angeles Times Women of the Year Silver Cup, a defunct newspaper award recognizing her contributions.

**What is the significance of Barbie in popular culture?**
Barbie became a global cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, beauty standards, and career aspirations for generations. It expanded beyond toys into movies, TV shows, and digital content.

**How did Ruth Handler impact the toy industry?**
Handler's creation of Barbie introduced a fashion doll with adult features, challenging the norm of baby dolls and transforming the toy industry.

## Why They Matter
Ruth Handler's creation of Barbie revolutionized the toy industry by introducing a fashion doll that empowered young girls to imagine diverse careers and lifestyles. Her entrepreneurial vision established Mattel as a global leader in toys and media franchises. Barbie's cultural impact extends beyond toys, influencing fashion, entertainment, and societal perceptions of women's roles. Handler's work in entrepreneurship and business leadership has inspired generations of women in business.

## Notable For
- Co-founding Mattel in 1945
- Creating the Barbie doll, launched on March 9, 1959
- Receiving the Los Angeles Times Women of the Year Silver Cup
- Transforming Barbie into a global media franchise
- Influencing fashion, culture, and career aspirations through Barbie
- Being recognized as a pioneer in entrepreneurship and business leadership

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ruth Handler was born on November 4, 1916. She attended the University of Denver and later the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she gained the knowledge and skills that would later contribute to her success in business.

### Career and Entrepreneurship
In 1945, Ruth Handler co-founded Mattel, a company that would become a global leader in the toy industry. Her entrepreneurial vision and leadership were instrumental in the company's growth and success.

### Creation of Barbie
Ruth Handler's most significant contribution was the creation of the Barbie doll, which was launched on March 9, 1959. Barbie was the first fashion doll with adult features, challenging the prevailing norm of baby dolls and revolutionizing the toy industry. The doll was named after Handler herself, and it quickly became a cultural icon.

### Barbie as a Global Franchise
Under Handler's leadership, Barbie evolved from a single toy product into a vast media franchise. This included movies, television series, video games, and digital content, creating a transmedia ecosystem that influenced fashion, beauty, and career aspirations for generations.

### Awards and Recognition
Ruth Handler received the Los Angeles Times Women of the Year Silver Cup, a defunct newspaper award that recognized her contributions to business and society. This award highlighted her impact as a pioneering businesswoman and entrepreneur.

### Legacy and Impact
Ruth Handler's creation of Barbie had a profound impact on popular culture and the toy industry. Barbie became a symbol of female empowerment and creativity, influencing generations of young girls. Handler's work in entrepreneurship and business leadership has inspired countless women to pursue careers in business and innovation.

### Later Life and Death
Ruth Handler passed away on April 27, 2002, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship. Her contributions to the toy industry and her role as a pioneering businesswoman continue to be celebrated and remembered.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [Barbie doll creator dies. 2002](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1956180.stm)
3. [Source](http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/barbie-goes-to-hollywood-1792920.html)
4. [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=XKiGgl36bkgC&lpg=PA171&ots=JtXJWsTj-n&dq=university%20of%20denver%20%22Ruth%20Handler%22&pg=PA171#v=onepage&q=university%20of%20denver%20%22Ruth%20Handler%22&f=false)
5. [Source](http://www.newsweek.com/id/185788)
6. [Source](http://www.abc.net.au/correspondents/content/2008/s2516325.htm)
7. [Source](https://www.newspapers.com/image/382462527)
8. RKDartists
9. SNAC
10. Find a Grave
11. FemBio database
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. The Movie Database