Ruth Marianna Mosko, better known as Ruth Handler, was an American business magnate and inventor, best known for her groundbreaking creation of the Barbie doll in 1959.
She co-founded the famous toy manufacturer Mattel with her husband Elliot and served as the company’s first president from 1945 to 1975.
File
- Full Name: Ruth Marianna Mosko
- Stage Name: Ruth Handler
- Date of birth: November 4, 1916
- Date of death: April 27, 2002
- Age: 85 years old
- Place of birth: Denver, Colorado, United States.
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former President of Mattel
- Height: Unknown
- Parents: Jacob Moskowicz, Ida Moskowicz
- Siblings: Sarah Greenwald, Joe Mosko, Aaron Mosko
- Spouse: Elliot Handler (married 1938–2002)
- Children: Barbara Handler, Kenneth Handler
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $100 million
Early life and education
Ruth Marianna Mosko was born on November 4, 1916 in Denver, Colorado, USA.
She was raised by her parents, Jacob Moskowicz, a blacksmith, and Ida Moskowicz, nee Rubenstein. Ruth was the youngest of ten children, with siblings including Sarah Greenwald, Joe Mosko, and Aaron Mosko. The names of her other siblings are unknown.
Ruth attended Denver East High School and the University of Denver. She is of Russian Jewish descent and is Catholic.
Career
Ruth Handler was a pioneering businesswoman and inventor, best known as the creator of the iconic Barbie doll and co-founder of Mattel, Inc.
Handler, along with her husband Elliot, founded Mattel in 1945. Initially, the company focused on picture frames, but their entrepreneurial spirit soon led them to expand into the toy industry.
As Mattel’s first president from 1945 to 1975, Ruth Handler demonstrated leadership and business acumen. Her marketing strategies played a key role in Barbie’s success.
Handler understood the importance of targeting children directly and creating a world of accessories and careers for the doll. Under her direction, Barbie became a cultural phenomenon, empowering girls to imagine themselves in a variety of roles.
Despite her enormous success, Handler faced challenges later in her career. In 1975, she resigned from Mattel amid financial irregularities and was later convicted of fraud.
This tarnished her legacy but did not diminish her profound impact on the toy industry and the lives of countless children.
Social media
Ruth Handler does not have any social media accounts.
Personal life
Ruth Handler married Elliot Handler in 1938. They were high school sweethearts and founded the famous toy company Mattel, where Ruth served as its first president.
Their partnership played a key role in the creation of the world-famous Barbie doll. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Barbara Handler and Kenneth Handler.
Ruth Handler died of complications following colon surgery. She died on April 27, 2002, at the age of 85.
Net worth
Ruth Handler, co-founder and chairwoman of Mattel, had an estimated net worth of around $100 million at the time of her death in 2002.
Her considerable wealth comes primarily from her role at Mattel, the toy company responsible for producing the iconic Barbie doll.
The huge success of the Barbie doll contributed significantly to Ruth Handler’s enormous fortune.
