9 Barbies That Are Worth a Fortune Today

Barbies have been a staple of childhood in America since the beloved doll made her debut in 1959. People everywhere adore Barbie for the glamor and sophistication she represents.

This is a doll with mad collector appeal, and the recent blockbuster film has only added to her popularity — and value — as a collectible.

If you are trying to build wealth, know that the dolls you played with as a child could be worth hundreds of dollars today — and possibly more. Here’s a fun look at 10 of the world’s most valuable Barbie dolls.

In 2009, Mattel invited jewelry designer Stefano Canturi to create a diamond necklace for a one-of-a-kind Barbie. This custom-made doll wears 3 carats of white diamonds around her neck and an additional square-cut pink diamond.

The doll stoked a bidding frenzy at a 2010 New York Christie’s auction before going for the staggering sum of $302,500. All sales proceeds went to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Mattel bobbled big in 1992 when it produced Teen Talk Barbie.

The doll could “talk” four different phrases from a random sound bank of 270 lines, including, “Math class is tough” and “Do you have a crush on anyone?”

Outraged consumers felt the doll’s phrases reinforced stereotypes about girls and young women. While the toymaker didn’t issue a full-out recall of the doll, it did offer to swap dolls.

A Teen Talk Barbie recently sold for $700 on Poshmark.

Mattel’s Millennium Princess Barbie was beautifully attired in a velvet gown and silver sparkles. One of these dolls that was still in its original packaging sold for $12,000 on eBay.

Original 1959 Barbie dolls are rare. If you have a vintage 1959 doll, it could be worth big bucks — especially if you have the original box or any of the original clothing and accessories.

A 1959 Barbie with her original vinyl case, shoes, and accessories recently sold for $16,500 on eBay.

This Barbie doll’s regal presence seems to silently proclaim, “Let them eat cake!”

Immaculately coiffed and styled, a stunning example of the 2003 Marie Antoinette Barbie sold for $1,500 on Mercari.

With Barbie, it’s not all bubblegum pink and sunshine and sparkles. A Haunted Beauty Vampire Barbie recently sold for $500 on Mercari.

If you love Cher and have a 2007 Cher Ringmaster Platinum Farewell Tour Barbie, it could be worth some big bucks.

A brand-new Cher Barbie — wearing an amazing replica of Cher’s concert costume — was listed for $3,000 on eBay and sold to someone who made a “best offer.”

It’s not just the iconic blonde-haired Barbie that commands high prices: Mattel’s 1983 release of an African-American Sun Gold Malibu Barbie sold recently for $10,000 on eBay.

Collectors love a good misprint: A 1997 Holiday Barbie with a misprint on the box sold for $6,000 on eBay. The box shows a photo of a blue-eyed Barbie, but the doll inside has green eyes.

If you're hoping to get ahead financially, perhaps a Mattel misprint will wind up making you a small windfall.

Your old Barbies could be major collectibles. It’s possible that selling an old Barbie could even boost your bank account.

And if you want to make a bet on the future, try buying a new Barbie and keeping it in mint condition without opening the packaging. With any luck, it will be worth a lot more money in a decade or so.