It 's Barbie 's 50th , and the iconic doll , unveiled today in her latest swimsuit , has plenty to celebrate . Barbie , originally based on a ' sexually - themed gag book for children , ' celebrates 50 years . 90 percent of American girls , ages 3 to 10 , own at least one , Mattel toy company dolls . Doll inspires with 108 careers and fosters 100 million collectors worldwide . One woman in London , England , had cosmetic surgery to look like Barbie .
Barbie , originally based on a ' sexually - themed gag book for children , ' celebrates 50 years . 90 percent of American girls , ages 3 to 10 , own at least one , Mattel toy company dolls . Doll inspires with 108 careers and fosters 100 million collectors worldwide . One woman in London , England , had cosmetic surgery to look like Barbie .