Ruth Handler
Ruth Handler, known as 'Barbie's mom', co-founded Mattel and invented the Barbie doll, one of the most famous and recognizable toys in the world.
Entrepreneur
November 4, 1916
April 27, 2002
85
Ruth Marianna Handler (1916-2002) was the co-founder of Mattel, Inc., and the inventor of the iconic Barbie doll. With over a billion Barbie dolls sold, it has become one of the most famous toys globally. Alongside her husband Elliot, Handler co-founded Mattel and served as the company’s first president, where she developed popular toys such as Hot Wheels and Chatty Cathy. In addition to her contributions to the toy industry, Handler was a philanthropist and advocate for breast cancer awareness, establishing the Ruth Handler Foundation to support research and education efforts.