Ruth Handler

Ruth Handler
Handler in 1961
Born
Ruth Marianna Mosko

(1916-11-04)November 4, 1916
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
DiedApril 27, 2002(2002-04-27) (aged 85)[1]
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationPresident of Mattel (1945–1975)
Notable workBarbie
SuccessorRobert A. Eckert
Spouse
​
(m. 1938)​
Children2, including Kenneth

Ruth Marianna Handler (née Mosko; November 4, 1916 – April 27, 2002) was an American business magnate and inventor. She is best known for inventing the Barbie doll in 1959,[2] 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.[3]

The Handlers were forced to resign from Mattel in 1975 after the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated the company for falsifying financial documents.[3][4]

Handler was prominently characterized in the 2023 film Barbie.

  1. ^ Kershaw, Sarah (April 29, 2002). "Ruth Handler, Whose Barbie Gave Dolls Curves, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference FWI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference JWA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Castellitto, Linda M. (February 22, 2009). "Scandal tainted long career of Barbie's creator". ABC News. Retrieved July 6, 2023.