The American company Mattel first presented a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes, informs Forbes. The novelty was presented during the Children’s Congress Breakthrough T1D 2025, where 170 young participants, who themselves live with this diagnosis, gathered. Work on the doll lasted a year, and women who have experience living with diabetes were actively involved in its creation.
What sets this Barbie apart is not only the presence of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system or an insulin pump, but also carefully thought out details. Her sensor is held in place with pink medical tape in the shape of a heart, Barbie style. In her hand, she holds a smartphone with an open CGM application that shows real-time readings.
Her blue polka dot top and ruffled skirt are no coincidence – they refer to the international symbols of diabetes awareness, because the circular print and the color blue have a corresponding meaning. A pastel blue handbag completes the look and fulfills a practical role – it can store everything necessary for people with type 1 diabetes: medicines and light snacks, which should always be at hand.
“We were thrilled when Mattel approached us about creating a Barbie with type 1 diabetes. This collaboration began over a year ago with the vision of a Barbie doll that truly represents the type 1 diabetes community and raises awareness of the condition in a meaningful way.” – said Breakthrough T1D marketing strategy director Emily Mazreku, who has been living with type 1 diabetes since childhood and played a key role in the project.
The blue color of the clothing symbolizes diabetes awareness, and the bag is designed to store medication and light snacks, important attributes for people with the disease. This doll became part of the inclusive Barbie Fashionistas series, which already includes models with Down syndrome, hearing aids, vitiligo, prosthetic limbs and in wheelchairs.
