What a Doll: The 5 Most Expensive Barbie Dolls Ever Sold

Would you pay over $10,000 to own an iconic piece of childhood? Barbie dolls have been around since 1959, offering the opportunity for many collectible dolls.

What is the most expensive Barbie? Read on to find out about the five most expensive Barbies ever sold.

1. Barbie in Midnight Red

Barbie is the most popular fashion doll ever produced. Mattel created Barbie in 1959 in response to a need for little girls to dream of their future. Since then, Barbie has taken many different collectible forms.

The first on the list is the 1965 Barbie in Midnight Red.  It was originally part of a private collection, owned by a woman named Letje Raebel who began collecting in 1960.

The doll, unique because the original color of the dress was Midnight Blue, sold for an astounding $17,000 at auction, easily making it one of the world’s most expensive Barbie dolls.

2. The Original Barbie

The original Barbie was released in March of 1959, marketed as a teen model. The doll was eleven inches tall and the first doll to have adult features.  The co-founder of Mattel, Ruth Handler, saw a need for Barbie dolls after watching her daughter play with paper dolls.

A mint condition original Barbie doll was recently sold at auction for $27,450. There are several original Barbie dolls in circulation, but it is rare to find one that is in excellent condition.

3. De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie

Barbie certainly knows how to throw a birthday party! For the doll’s 40th anniversary, De Beers, a jeweler known for their luxurious creations, fashioned the doll that comes in at number three on the list.

The doll has dark brown hair and is wearing a diamond-studded bikini top with a flowing, sheer skirt. The De Beers Barbie sold at auction for an astounding $85,000. The Barbie doll is one of a kind making it one of the most collectible Barbie dolls on the market.

4. Barbie and the Diamond Castle

In 2008, Mattel released a special edition Barbie doll to coincide with the movie Barbie and the Diamond Castle. The doll was created as a publicity stunt and never sold. The value of the doll comes from the gold and diamonds that cover the doll.

The doll was created to mirror the character from the movie. The doll’s dress and jewelry – including a tiara – were covered in diamonds, making the rare Barbie worth over $94,000.

5. The Most Expensive Barbie

The number one most expensive Barbie is the doll created by Stefano Canturi. There is only one in existence. The Australian designer was tapped by Mattel to create what would be the world’s most expensive Barbie doll.

Canturi used a pink diamond from Australia to make a stunning necklace that took six months to create. The doll sold at auction for over $300,000 with all money benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Barbie Collectibles Around World

Barbie is an iconic children’s toy that has become quite a collector’s item over the years. The most expensive Barbies are those that are one of a kind, created by artists or designers for a special event or occasion. These dolls are rare and can bring thousands of dollars.

Would you be willing to purchase one of the rarest and most expensive Barbie dolls in the world? Check out our articles for more fun topics!