Ruth Handler: From Barbie’s Creator to Prosthesis Pioneer

Ruth Handler co-founded Mattel in 1945 and served as its first president until 1975. In 1959, she introduced the Barbie doll, forever changing the toy industry. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 1970, Handler channeled her experience into creating Nearly Me prostheses, helping women regain confidence. She partnered with Peyton Massey to launch the product through Ruthton Corp., and it gained wide adoption, even by first lady Betty Ford. Handler resigned from Mattel amid an SEC investigation in 1975 and faced charges of falsifying financial records. She paid a fine, performed community service, and later devoted herself to philanthropy. Handler died in 2002, and her legacy reentered the spotlight in the 2023 Barbie film.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.