Barbie's Careers Through the Years

Hard to believe, but Barbie is over 50 (and she still looks great)! Many of us have fond memories of dressing up our Barbie dolls and playing games limited only by our imagination. In honor of Barbie, we take a nostalgic look back at some of the many careers Barbie has held -- and remember how she helped us dream of the time when we would be "all grown up" and leading exciting lives of our own.

1959: Teenage Fashion Model
Barbie struts the sand as her teenage peers obsess over Frankie Avalon and Elvis Presley. An exciting, all-new kind of doll, she’s shapely and grown-up — she almost breathes and stands alone. Girls of all ages are delighted by her miniature wardrobe: tiny zippers that really zip, coats with luxuriously tailored linings, jeweled earrings, necklaces, and color-coordinated sunglasses!

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

1 of 24 1959: Teenage Fashion Model

1960: Fashion Designer
Barbie adds pink panache to the counterculture fashion revolution and takes her fashion experience off the runway into an executive role. With a red suit and portfolio in hand, she showcases true designer style wherever she goes.

2 of 24 1960: Fashion Designer

1961: Registered Nurse
Barbie brings the cat-eye glasses and peep-toe pump trends of the year to hospitals nationwide. She plays the classic nurse: crisp white uniform, cap, and shoes, navy cape, and eyeglasses, plus nursing accessories such as a medicine bottle, a spoon, and a hot-water bottle.

3 of 24 1961: Registered Nurse

1963: Executive (Career Girl)
After Congress passes the first Equal Pay Act, Barbie can rest assured she’ll remain a top-earning executive. With a two-piece tweed suit and matching hat, red sleeveless pullover with long black gloves, and black shoes, Barbie makes a statement that she is ready for any project her busy job throws her way.

4 of 24 1963: Executive (Career Girl)

1963: College Graduate
She may not be protesting on campus, but Barbie is progressive nonetheless. She sets the stage for women everywhere! In bouffant hair and a traditional cap and gown with white collar, tasseled mortarboard, and diploma, Barbie graduates with honors.

5 of 24 1963: College Graduate

1965: Astronaut
Barbie goes into space four years before astronauts set foot on the moon, and she's dressed in style, with a silver spacesuit, helmet, and boots. Barbie can even plant her American flag on the moon!

6 of 24 1965: Astronaut

1973: Surgeon
Decades before Grey’s Anatomy and ER, Barbie is booking surgeries and running the operating room in chic scrubs. Sanitized for surgery, she’s ready and willing to save lives in style.

7 of 24 1973: Surgeon

1974: Miss America
Barbie has a lot in common with Miss America 1974, Rebecca King, who balances beauty and brains as a lawyer and a philanthropist.

8 of 24 1974: Miss America

1976: Olympic Gold Medalist
Barbie joins the ranks of the world’s top competitors, as women now have the opportunity to compete in basketball, handball, and rowing at the Olympics. As a proud gymnast, Barbie takes the gold for the red, white, and blue.

9 of 24 1976: Olympic Gold Medalist

1977: Fashion Model
Barbie is bright, glittery, and groovy as she walks the runway. This year, Barbie has a glamorous new face and long, sun-streaked hair, plus chic touches like a "diamond" ring, necklace, earrings, a fabulous evening gown, and a silver-sparkle stole. For the first time, Barbie’s waist twists, and she’s got top-model-pose ability!

10 of 24 1977: Fashion Model

23 of 24 Good Housekeeping

Barbie's Careers Through the Years

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