Is Ruth Handler dead? Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie, has died at 85. The creator of the iconic doll left a lasting legacy.
Is Ruth Handler dead?
Yes, according to the information mentioned in the previous paragraph, Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, has passed away. The passage states that she died on Saturday at the age of 85 due to complications after colon surgery. However, it is important to note that the attached text does not specify the exact date of her death.
Ruth Handler’s legacy is significant because she was the mastermind behind the creation of Barbie, one of the world’s most famous dolls and a cultural icon. Despite initial resistance to the concept of a doll with a feminine figure, Handler persisted and successfully launched Barbie into production in 1959.
The doll became an instant hit and has since sold more than a billion copies in 150 countries. In addition to her contribution to the toy industry, Ruth Handler’s life had its fair share of challenges and accomplishments.
She co-founded Mattel, the company responsible for the production of Barbie, along with her husband Elliot. She faced a difficult period in the 1970s when she left Mattel after she and other company executives were accused of concealing losses.
Despite this difficult phase, Handler showed resilience and later started a successful business manufacturing prosthetic breasts for mastectomy patients. Her influence extended beyond the world of toys, and her entrepreneurial and marketing skills left a lasting impression.
Although Ruth Handler is no longer with us, her legacy lives on through Barbie, a toy that inspired and entertained generations of children and continues to evolve to reflect changing times and social norms.
What happened to Ruth Handler?
Ruth Handler, the entrepreneur and marketing genius who co-founded Mattel and created the iconic Barbie doll, died on April 27 at the age of 85. She died in a Southern California hospital due to complications from colon surgery she had undergone three months before her death.
Ruth Handler’s life was marked by revolutionary achievements and significant contributions to the toy industry and women’s health. Together with her husband, Elliot Handler, she founded Mattel, which initially began as a gift business in their garage, making objects such as bowls, mirrors and clocks out of plastic.
The company later expanded into toy manufacturing, and in 1959 Handler’s visionary creation, the Barbie doll, made its debut at the American Toy Fair in New York. Barbie, named after Handler’s daughter Barbara, revolutionized the toy market, introducing a teenage doll with a more mature and feminine figure than the typical flat-chested baby dolls available at the time.
Barbie’s success grew, becoming one of the best-selling toys of all time, with more than one billion dolls sold in 150 countries. The appeal of the doll was not just a toy; he became a cultural icon and faced both praise and criticism. Scholars have analyzed its impact, while feminists have expressed concern about the unrealistic beauty standards it might promote for young girls.
In the 1970s, Ruth Handler faced personal and professional challenges. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy, an experience that would later shape her second career. As Mattel went through corporate changes and diversification away from toys, Handler and her husband were forced out of the company they founded.
Undeterred, Ruth Handler founded Ruthton Corp. and embarked on a new venture that addressed the needs of mastectomy patients. She created Nearly Me, a lifelike prosthetic breast made of liquid silicone encased in polyurethane, with a rigid foam backing.
As a breast cancer survivor herself, she was deeply committed to helping other women regain their confidence and appearance after undergoing a mastectomy. Through her personal experience and determination, Ruth Handler successfully marketed Nearly Me, selling artificial breasts in left and right bra size variations.
Her sales team, which is made up of breast cancer survivors, fitted women and trained department store sales staff. She even outfitted former First Lady Betty Ford after her mastectomy.
Ruth Handler’s marketing skills and passion for helping mastectomy patients led to significant success for Nearly Me, with sales exceeding $1 million by 1980. She eventually sold the company to a division of Kimberly-Clark Corp. in 1991.
Who was Ruth Handler?
Ruth Marianna Handler was an American businesswoman and inventor known for her role in the invention of the iconic Barbie doll in 1959.
Along with her husband Elliot Handler, she co-founded the toy company Mattel and served as its first president from 1945 to 1975. However, in 1975, the Handlers were forced to resign from Mattel due to a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into the falsification of the company’s financial documents.
Born Ruth Marianna Mosko in Denver, Colorado to Polish-Jewish immigrants Jacob Moskowicz and Ida Moskowicz (née Rubenstein), she later married her high school sweetheart, Elliot Handler.
In 1938, they moved to Los Angeles, where Ruth found a job at Paramount. The idea for Mattel came when Elliot was making furniture as a hobby, using innovative materials such as Lucite and Plexiglas. At Ruth’s suggestion, they turned this hobby into a commercial venture, establishing a furniture business. She played a key role as a sales force, securing contracts with well-known clients such as the Douglas Aircraft Company.
How did Ruth Handler pass away?
Ruth Handler passed away on April 27, 2002. However, the exact cause of her death was not mentioned. Therefore, no specific details are known about how Ruth Handler died.
As mentioned earlier, Ruth Handler is a breast cancer survivor and underwent a mastectomy due to her battle with the disease. Despite her accomplishments, Ruth Handler faced challenges and controversies throughout her life.
She resigned from Mattel in 1975 amid a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into falsifying financial documents. She was subsequently charged with tax fraud and false reporting, which resulted in a fine and community service.
She passed away on April 27, 2002 at the age of 85, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as an entrepreneur, innovator and creative force behind one of the most legendary toys in history.
Death of Ruth Handler
Ruth Handler is no longer alive. She died on April 27, 2002 at the age of 85. The cause of death is unknown. Ruth Handler’s life is marked by her significant contributions as an American businesswoman and inventor, most notably the creation of the iconic Barbie doll and the co-founding of Mattel with her husband. Despite her death, her legacy lives on through Barbie’s lasting influence and her pioneering role in the toy industry.
Ruth Handler, an American businesswoman and inventor, was a pioneer who left a lasting impact on the toy industry. She is best known for her creation of the iconic Barbie doll in 1959, which became a global sensation and an enduring symbol of femininity and empowerment. Together with her husband Elliot Handler, she co-founded Mattel, a well-known toy company. As the company’s first president from 1945 to 1975, Ruth played a key role in shaping its success and growth.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education