Mattel has launched its first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes, marking a major step in inclusive toy design. The doll comes equipped with an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), reflecting the daily life of many children managing this condition.
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease. It causes the body to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This means people with type 1 diabetes must check their blood sugar and take insulin every day. The new Barbie doll helps children with this condition see themselves in their toys.
The design was created in partnership with Breakthrough T1D, a global non-profit supporting those with type 1 diabetes. The doll wears a CGM on her arm, held in place with pink heart-shaped medical tape. She also carries a mobile phone showing a CGM app to track glucose levels. An insulin pump provides automated insulin delivery, and the doll carries a bag for essentials like snacks.
Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls, said this doll shows Mattel’s ongoing commitment to diversity. She explained that Barbie shapes how children see the world. “By including medical conditions like type 1 diabetes, we make sure more kids can see themselves in the stories they create and the dolls they love,” Berger said.
Karen Addington, CEO of Breakthrough T1D UK, praised the new doll for its role as a positive symbol. She said, “For children with type 1 diabetes, who rarely see themselves represented, this Barbie will celebrate their strength. It brings recognition, inclusion, and joy to their play.”
Barbie has a history of expanding representation. The first black Barbie dolls appeared in the 1960s, followed by Hispanic dolls in the 1980s. Dolls portraying women in various careers became common in the 1990s and 2000s. However, dolls with disabilities only started appearing six years ago.
Today, Barbie’s fashionistas range includes over 175 different looks. These vary by skin tone, eye and hair color, body types, and disabilities. The collection features a blind Barbie, a black Barbie with Down’s syndrome, and dolls with hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, and vitiligo.
Other toy brands also embrace diversity. Lottie offers dolls with Down’s syndrome and autism. Lego includes minifigures with visible and invisible disabilities.
Arjun Panesar, founding CEO of diabetes.co.uk, welcomed the new Barbie. He said, “Representation matters, especially in childhood. A Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes helps normalize the condition and reduces stigma. It shows children they are not alone.”
This latest Barbie aims to build confidence and promote inclusion. By reflecting real-life experiences, it helps children with type 1 diabetes feel seen and understood.