Barbie Launches First Doll with Type 1 Diabetes

Mattel has unveiled a groundbreaking addition to its iconic Barbie line: the first doll with type 1 diabetes.

Developed in partnership with Breakthrough T1D, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of the autoimmune disease, the new Barbie is equipped with realistic medical accessories. She wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with pink heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump on her waist, paired with a mobile phone app to track glucose levels, tools essential to real-life diabetes management. Her blue polka dot outfit also reflects global diabetes awareness symbols.

Krista Berger, Mattel’s senior vice president of Barbie, emphasized that the doll aims to foster empathy and inclusivity among children, allowing more kids to “see themselves in the stories they imagine.”

Alongside this model, a doll inspired by Lila Moss, daughter of supermodel Kate Moss and a person with T1D, was also released. This initiative builds on Mattel’s broader push for diverse representation, including dolls with disabilities, vitiligo, and hearing aids.