Following Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking new movie, Barbie has been the only thing running around my brain (and my FY page!) as America’s sweetheart makes a blockbuster comeback. As well as reviving Barbie and her plethora of iterations, much to my pleasure, it has also brought back our favorite couple. Barbie and Ken are finally back in the limelight as people reminisce on their relationship over the years.
Barbie and Ken are the original it-couple, and no one can tell me otherwise. Even Beyoncé and Jay-Z are no match for their romance. Though just 12 inches tall, these dolls have had the world in a chokehold with their iconic relationship, which spans over generations and half a century!
As we all know, Barbie is a jack of all trades and has dabbled into every career possible over the years, from a fireman to a physicist. Throughout her inspirational career, Ken has always been by her side, with just a few bumps along the way.
Let’s ride a wave of nostalgia and take a look at our perfect plastic’s relationship history.
When did Barbie and Ken’s relationship start?
1961 – Sparks fly!
It was love at first sight for Barbie and Ken. They met on the set of a television commercial and have been inseparable ever since! With a canary yellow towel to share, their relationship began.
Since being created in 1959, Barbie had remained a stand-alone powerhouse. It wasn’t until Mattel introduced Ken onto the scene that our favorite childhood doll had someone to spend time with. Named after the creator’s son and a Pisces by birth/release date, Ken was:
“loyal, supportive, compassionate and a dreamer.”
1960’s – The honeymoon phase
Fictional novels documented the first few years of Barbie and Ken’s blossoming romance, as the world feasted on their detailed backstories and gritty details of their personal lives; we all loved our first ever it-couple. They were as famous as every other celebrity, the only difference being that they could be bought from most department stores around the world.
According to ThoughtCo, Ken was originally designed to always be her on-again, off-again boyfriend. A rather progressive approach to dating then, Barbie would always put her autonomy first as she remained as busy and as iconic as ever. Ken’s chilled, surfer vibe never seemed to mind.
1974 – We’re moving! Barbie and Ken get serious after taking it slow
Barbie and Ken were in no rush with their romance, and it wasn’t until 13 years after they met that they moved into their first home together. A lavish, 3-story townhouse remained the couple’s dream house for the next few years.
In true Barbie fashion, their house couldn’t be complete without the most iconic amenities; a jacuzzi and an elevator will give you a good idea!
1978 – Hopelessly devoted to disco! Barbie and Ken hit the red carpet
Barbie’s best-selling career as a fashion model boomed during the late 70s to early 80s. Barbie and Ken both bathed in stardom as they frequently made grand appearances at movie premieres and photoshoots. Probably their most fashionable era, Barbie and Ken rocked the world in daring outfits and colorful ensembles.
1979 – Summer Lovin’! Beach babes Barbie and Ken catch the vibe
Barbie and Ken are renowned beach lovers, and they blessed the world with fresh tans and matching swimsuits in 1979. Monogrammed no less!
Going back to their roots and back to the waves, Barbie and Ken reminded each other of their shared love of the sun and the sea, and why they were the perfect pairing.
1984 – Barbie and Ken take prom night!
The pair set the world alight at their first prom. Barbie went all out, covered head-to-toe in a timeless pink satin dress adorned with matching sequins and purple piping. Ken coordinated as always, in a black suit with a pink rose and sash.
1992 – Friday I’m in Love…with the ’90s!
Barbie and Ken kept up with the trends as always. And in true 90’s fashion, their hair grew dramatically long and voluminous. Totally Hair Barbie’s hair was flowing at a record-breaking 10.5 inches! Both of them donned groovy neon prints to complete their blinding new looks.
1998 – Dawn of the Deluxe Dreamhouse
1998 marked the year that Barbie and Ken moved out of their townhouse and into a spectacular Victorian-style Manor House, their most luxe home yet! Fitted with a turret, a swing, and stained glass windows, the Deluxe Dreamhouse was the dream, even for us non-plastics!
2004 – Barbie and Ken break up! It-couple hit the rocks after 43 years
In February 2004, Mattel confirmed that our favorite couple were not so fantastic in plastic and that they had parted ways.
Many different hypotheses circulated as the reason behind their split but none have ever been confirmed. Were Ken and Barbie married? No one knows. Barbie was often featured in elaborate wedding dresses, although never alongside Ken. Was Barbie hinting at her desire for marriage? This leads many people to believe Ken was hesitant to commit and they split over their clash in desires to settle down.
In the biography written by Mattel to document the goings-on in Barbie Dreamworld, she did try dating other people. She embarked on a brief fling with radio DJ and surfer Blaine but remained single thereafter.
2010 – Barbie and Ken co-star on the big screen
Barbie and Ken appeared in the highly anticipated Toy Story 3 together after being separated for 6 years. Barbie and Ken starred in a ‘love at first sight’ scene which was the replica of their meet-cute back in 1961.*Awkward!*
2011 – A reunion for the books!
After 7 years apart, Barbie and Ken finally reunited. It looks as though Toy Story re-jigged Ken’s mindset and feelings towards Barbie. And after numerous grand gestures, Ken finally won Barbie back! All it took was personalized cupcakes, billboards, and the utmost effort – Barbie wasn’t going to let him up that easy!
2018 – Keeping things low-profile
Cooking is more fun with friends! What are some of your favorite recipes to whip up with your little ones in the kitchen? 👩🍳
Shop the Barbie and Ken Cooking & Baking dolls now! https://t.co/AxuQcST9nZ #YouCanBeAnything pic.twitter.com/he6AfrRCoq
— Barbie (@Barbie) March 29, 2018
From when they reunited in 2011, Barbie and Ken kept to themselves and focused on their separate careers. Their love story still seemed far away from the romance that began in the 60s. With no marriage and no children, Barbie and Ken as always were models of a modern, successful, dual-income household. With no rush in conforming to societal standards, the couple was praised for being so forward-thinking.
However, others worried whether their love was still as abundant as it had been before.
Barbie and Ken’s relationship evolved into a see-saw – focusing on their separate careers vs. being one of the world’s most influential couples around.
Present – Are Barbie and Ken together?
Now we have finally caught up with half a century! It brings us to the present status of Barbie and Ken’s relationship.
By now I am hoping you have all watched or at least have some idea about the star-studded Barbie movie that has quite literally taken over the world.
In the beginning, Barbie and Ken are portrayed as ‘girlfriend and boyfriend’, as we might expect. However, their relationship is not what we might expect or had imagined. As always, Barbie has been at the forefront of her relationship with Ken. She is always in the limelight and Ken is always there to support her. As the movie tagline suggests:
“She’s everything. He’s just Ken.”
‘Just Ken’, unfortunately, foreshadows the breakdown of their romantic relationship.
Barbie and Ken go through a role reversal. Ken begins to gain a newfound hyper-masculine power that goes against their relationship values, and Barbie becomes a weak, hopeless shell of her previous self. Ken becomes sour and resentful towards the autonomy that Barbie previously had and wishes it for himself – he no longer wants to be ‘just Ken’.
Barbie and Ken’s relationship is unsalvageable; Ken’s behavior becomes unrecognizable, and Barbie is crushed. Ken creates a toxic patriarchy to overthrow the previous Matriarch of Barbie Land.
Luckily, Barbie and her friends manage to restore Barbie Land to what it once was before.
But where does that leave Barbie and Ken?
By the end of the film, Ken explains to Barbie that all he ever wanted was to be with her in her Dreamhouse.
“I always thought it was our Dreamhouse.”
He adds:
“It’s Barbie and Ken, not just Ken.”
The breakdown of their relationship was due to their communication breaking down, not because Ken was jealous, not because Ken wanted to overthrow Barbie and her well-earned fame. But because Ken and Barbie weren’t partners like they used to be.
6/15 The theme – that both Barbies and Kens need to decide what they want to be and given room to find that – is good. You wouldn't make this film in 2023 and have Barbie and Ken end up together – they both need to be defined by more than just girlfriend/boyfriend pic.twitter.com/XYOVJxOpTB
— Howard Carter (still holding on here) 🟦 (@HowardRCarter) July 26, 2023
Barbie has always been independent and powerful, she can stand alone, just like she did when she was first created. However, Mattel created Ken to be ‘loyal and supportive’, and help her achieve her dreams. They left out the part where Ken was able to have goals and aspirations outside of his relationship with Barbie.
After years, Barbie and Ken finally realized why their relationship had never been more serious and why they could never quite commit:
“Maybe it’s not Barbie and Ken. Maybe it’s Barbie and it’s Ken.”
Are Barbie and Ken in love? Maybe, yes. But after over 50 years, they seem to be better off as friends, living their best lives.