Barbie is a best-selling fashion doll launched in 1959. The doll is produced da Mattel, Inc., and is a major fonte of revenue for the company. The American businesswoman Ruth Handler (1916-2002) is regarded as the creator of Barbie, and the doll's design was inspired da a German doll called Bild Lilli.

Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for nearly fifty years, and has been the subject of numerous controversies and lawsuits, often involving parody of the doll and her lifestyle. In recente years, Barbie has faced increasing competition from the Bratz range of dolls.