This article shows the complete fictional and non-fictional friends and family of Barbie, a fashion doll manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and launched on March 9, 1959.
Main characters Barbara Millicent "Barbie" Roberts (1959–present): A blonde-haired and blue-eyed doll who was born in the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin. She's a doll that has had every possible profession, from astronaut to F1 (Formula 1) driver. She currently lives in Malibu and is an important figure there. According to eponymous Random House books published in the 1960s, the character's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Barbie's age has fluctuated. She was originally a 19-year-old, but she is often shown as an older character in adult careers. The inaugural episode of Life in the Dreamhouse even jokes that she is over 40 years old. Barbie has three younger sisters: Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea. Mattel describes Barbie as strong, confident and always willing to help her siblings. In the live-action film version, She was portrayed by Australian actress Margot Robbie along versions played by diverse actresses.
Kenneth Sean "Ken" Carson (1961–1967, 1969–present): Barbie's male counterpart and boyfriend as well as the second character added to the line. Mattel announced a split between him and Barbie in 2004 and a reunion on Valentine's Day in 2011. According to books published by Random House in the 1960s, Ken's full name is Kenneth Sean Carson. Since Barbie Dolphin Magic, he is one of Barbie's best friends and next-door neighbor, although pre-2017 romantic aesthetic began to resurface between the two in the 2023 television series Barbie: A Touch of Magic.
Family members
Barbie's sisters Barbie has three younger sisters: Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea, who made their collective debuts in the 2011 Christmas film Barbie: A Perfect Christmas. Chelsea, previously known as Kelly, had a lead role in the 2002 syndicated television series, Kelly’s Dream Club, in which Barbie appeared in a supporting role. Since then, they appeared as main characters in media adaptations of the franchise, including Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse and the Barbie & Her Sisters in... film entries in the film series. Since Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures in 2018, they have become permanent main characters in the overall Barbie franchise makeup. Skipper Roberts (1964–2003, 2009–present): The teenage younger sister of Barbie and the first character added to Barbie's family. Originally released as an 8-year-old, she was changed to a 14-year-old later on. Mattel temporarily halted production of Skipper dolls between 2003 and 2009. When Skipper returned in 2009, she was redesigned to have brown hair with a purple (or sometimes blue) colored streak. Since the debut of Life in the Dreamhouse in 2012, Skipper has shown interest in technology, music and gadgets. Skipper had a lead role in the 2023 television film, Barbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure. Stacie Roberts (1990–present): Introduced as Kelly in the 1990 Wedding Day Midge gift set as the flower girl, this doll was renamed and re-introduced as Stacie shortly thereafter in 1992, and the Kelly name was instead used for her younger sister. Since her appearance in Life in the Dreamhouse, Stacie is 11 years old and shown to be a competitive, skilled athlete. She has her own line of sports-themed dolls called "Team Stacie". Stacie has her lead role in the 2024 television film Barbie and Stacie to the Rescue. Shelly/Kelly/Chelsea Roberts (1995–2010 as Shelly/Kelly, 2011–present as Chelsea): Barbie's youngest sister, approximately 6 years old, then later 7 years old. Since her name changed to Chelsea, she loves the color pink and has blonde hair and blue eyes like her older sister Barbie. Also, she is shown to be mutely arrogant in showing cleverness and brilliance at solving certain mysteries. She always tries to be creative and passionate. Chelsea is the star of her show format, Barbie Dreamtopia and the 2021 television film Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday.
Barbie's parents George Roberts (1960–present): George is the father of Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea. Originally just a book character, he had never been issued in doll form until 2018 with his debut animated appearance in Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures. Originally an engineer in the 1960s Barbie book series, his occupation was retooled as a documentary filmmaker beginning with Dreamhouse Adventures. Margaret Rawlins Roberts (1960–present): Margaret is the mother of Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea. Like George and also originally a book character, she had never been issued in doll form until 2018 with her debut appearance in Dreamhouse Adventures. Initially a homemaker, her occupation was retooled as a computer engineer, and the designer of the Roberts family dreamhouse since Dreamhouse Adventures. She has a sister named Millicent.
Discontinued characters Tutti and Todd (Tutti: 1966–1971, Todd: 1966–1971; 1991–2008): Twins, both Tutti and Todd were younger siblings of Barbie and Skipper and had seamless 'bendy' bodies with internal wires. The two were only sold together in one set. They debuted in 1966 and were available in the US until 1971, remaining on the European market until 1980. Todd was reintroduced in 1991 as part of the wedding party for Barbie's best friend Midge Hadley, but Tutti was not reintroduced, with new sisters Kelly/later Chelsea and Stacie taking her place. Mattel produced several more of the new Todd dolls over the next few years, but Todd was dropped from the Barbie line after 2008. The last version of Todd was the 2008 Todd and Stacie Mary Poppins boxed set, with a comment on the back that "Todd and Stacie are dressed as Michael and Jane from Disney's Mary Poppins". Francie Fairchild (1966–1977): Marketed as "Barbie's Modern Cousin," Francie paved the way for Barbie's transition into the MOD era. Francie appeared to be only slightly younger than Barbie, and had a straight and streamlined figure. The Francie doll was the first to feature rooted eyelashes. In the March 1966 issue of Barbie Magazine, she is the daughter of Claude and Lily Fairchild. Jazzie (1988–1992): Another cousin of Barbie and part of a small group of high school age dolls. She was taller than Francie, with Jazzie being almost the same height as Barbie. Kristine "Krissy" Roberts (1998–2001): This character is an infant and is only intermittently included in the Barbie sibling lineup. Blaine Gordon (2004): Barbie's Australian ex-boyfriend, whom she dated during her much-publicized "breakup" with Ken. Blaine is said to be the brother of Summer, one of Barbie's friends. Blaine does not show up in any of the Barbie series but was originally a character from Generation Girls and showed interest in Ana.
Extended Family Members Kristen (2013): A cousin of Barbie, appearing in the picture book, The Wedding Party where she marries Michael. It is never stated which side of the family she is on. She was never made into a doll.
Roberts Family Marlene Roberts (2015): Barbie's aunt, George's sister and Margaret's sister-in-law. She was never made into a doll. Max Roberts (2013): The son of Marlene Roberts, twin brother of Marie, cousin of Barbie and her sisters, and nephew of Margaret Roberts and George Roberts. He showed up in Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale. Marie Roberts (2013): The daughter of Marlene Roberts, twin sister of Max, cousin of Barbie and her sisters, and niece of Margaret Roberts and George Roberts. She showed up in Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale. Marie is shown to be an otaku. Lillian "Lily" Roberts Fairchild (1966): Francie's mother, Barbie's aunt, George's sister and Margaret's sister-in-law. She was never made into a doll. Claude Fairchild (1966): Francie's father, Barbie's uncle, and Margaret and George's brother-in-law. He was never made into a doll.
Rawlins Family Grandmother Rawlins (2015): Barbie's grandmother and Margaret Roberts' mother. She passed her love of reading onto Barbie and gave her a book that Barbie related to. She is encouraging and supportive of her granddaughter. She was first mentioned in the story "Barbie's Big Prom" in the 1962 Random House Novel Here's Barbie where she is implied to be living in New Orleans. Her first movie appearance is in Barbie and the Secret Door as Alexa's (Barbie) grandmother. She also appears in Barbie & Her Sisters in The Great Puppy Adventure as herself. She is living in Willows, WI. She was never made into a doll. Adele (2019–present): Barbie's aunt and the owner of the Windy Willows Inn in Barbie's hometown, Willows, Wisconsin. She first appeared in season 3, episode 3 of Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, "The Ballad of Windy Willows." Her most recent appearance was in season 5, episode 7, "The Curse of the Miner's Ghost." Her design is very similar to Margaret's, suggesting they are sisters. She was never made into a doll. Millicent Rawlins (2010): Barbie's aunt and Margaret's sister. Although never made into a doll, she first appeared media-wise as a fashion designer with an atelier in Paris in the 2010 film Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale. She also appeared towards the conclusion of the 2011 film, Barbie: A Perfect Christmas where she joined with Barbie and her sisters in celebrating the holiday. She has yet to appear in any form since 2012. Lulu Belle Rawlins (1962): Barbie's cousin who lives in New Orleans. She visits the Roberts family in the story "Barbie's Big Prom" in the 1962 Random House Novel Here's Barbie She was never made into a doll. Mr. & Mrs. Rawlins (1962): Lulu's parents who live in New Orleans. They are mentioned in the story "Barbie's Big Prom" in the 1962 Random House Novel Here's Barbie They were never made into dolls.
Barbie's friends
Female best friends Margaret "Midge" Hadley Sherwood (1963–1966, 1988–2004, 2013–2015): This character was Barbie's Irish-American best friend. She was the third character introduced to the Barbie line, following Barbie and Ken. In the Random House novels, her last name is Hadley. She was paired with Allan Sherwood, Ken's best friend, when Allan was introduced in 1964. After she married Allan/Alan in 1991, she became Midge Hadley Sherwood. In the 1990s Price Stern Sloan series Adventures with Barbie, she and Alan are married, and in book 5, "The Phantom of Shrinking Pond" by Suzanne Weyn (1992), it is implied that she is named after her Aunt Margaret. She is named Viky in Brazil (from the book Barbie Doll Around the World by J. Michael Augustyniak (2008, Collector Books)). In 2001 she was given her line named Happy Family. Midge was released with a magnetic belly and a baby. Also in the line was Alan and their son Ryan, and Midge's parents though they were not given real names. In 2013, she was brought back in the Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse web series where she undergoes a makeover to look more modern, though the character tends to act like she is still in the 1960s. There is no mention of Allan/Alan in the series. In 2024, Midge was brought back again in the Deluxe Style.