Since her 1959 debut, Mattel's most famous creation has become a global cultural icon, with the blockbuster 2023 movie cementing her appeal for a new generation. Yet some versions are far more than mere playthings. Scarce early editions, celebrity incarnations and unique creations dripping in diamonds have fetched or been valued at extraordinary sums.

Read on to discover the most valuable Barbies ever made... 

Sale prices and valuations adjusted for inflation. All dollar amounts in US dollars.

One of the standout rarities from the early days, Barbie in Midnight Pink, which dates from 1965, is an exceptionally scarce pink version of the better-known No. 1617 Midnight Blue outfit.

The sought-after specimen came from a remarkable private collection of around 4,000 Barbie family dolls assembled over decades by Dutch collector Ietje Raebel and her daughter Marina. When Christie's auctioned the collection in London in 2006, Midnight Pink sold for $9,500, 10 times its estimate, and the equivalent of $15,900 (£11,785) today.

The handiwork of fashion duo Phillipe and David Blond, in collaboration with Mattel designer Bill Greening, this one-of-a-kind doll debuted during New York Fashion Week in 2012. An all-pink take on the designers' earlier Blond Diamond Barbie, she wows in a corseted mini dress and heels hand-encrusted with fuchsia and rose gems, plus a faux-fur coat, stud earrings and a blingy ring.

Mattel donated the doll to a Charitybuzz auction benefiting the MAC AIDS Fund, with the doll valued at $15,000, around $21,900 (£16,350) in today's money.

Another highlight of the 2006 Christie's sale, this 1965 rarity pairs a Japanese-market high-colour doll with the elegant No. 1677 Gala Abend outfit, which was available only in Europe. Christie's expected the elegant creation to fetch around $670, but bidding sent the price soaring to $13,700. That sale price translates to $22,700 (£16,950) today.

Incidentally, the same woman who bought the Midnight Pink on behalf of a mystery collector also secured the Gala Abend.

Created in 2010 as a likeness of Janet Jackson, Divinely Janet recreates the singer's glam American Idol look down to the smallest details. Mattel designer Jackeline Gonzalez copied Jackson's black gown and body-hugging catsuit, while countless hand-placed Swarovski crystals cover the outfit and even the miniature microphone.

Mattel donated the doll to a Charitybuzz auction benefiting Project Angel Food. Divinely Janet was valued at $15,000, and it reportedly sold for around that sum, which equates to about $23,000 (£17,180) today.

Sharon Stone also had her own one-off version of the famous toy. The Barbie was auctioned at the 13th annual Dream Halloween fundraiser in California in 2006, which raised money for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation. The doll fetched $15,000, equivalent to around $24,900 (£18,600) today.

Intriguingly, Stone later revealed that she had pitched a Barbie movie in the 1990s, only to be laughed out of the studio.

The star of the 2006 Christie's sale, the 1965 Barbie in Midnight Red is a very rare red version of the No. 1617 Midnight Blue outfit.

Massively surpassing expectations, the doll went under the hammer for $17,000, setting a new world auction record for a Barbie at the time. The winning bid was placed by the woman acting on behalf of the anonymous collector who also bought Gala Abend and Midnight Pink. The sale price comes in at $28,400 (£21,210) in today's money.

The doll that started it all remains one of the most coveted Barbies ever produced. Launched in 1959, the original No. 1 came in blonde and brunette versions, wearing her now-iconic black-and-white striped swimsuit.

In 2023, an exceptional No. 1 sold at Washington auction house Theriault's for $48,000, around $52,800 (£39,430) today, setting a new record for an OG Barbie. The suitably museum-quality doll was acquired by Virginia's Barry Art Museum.

To mark Barbie's 50th birthday in 2009, Mattel created an extraordinarily lavish version inspired by the original No. 1 doll. Covered in 34 carats of white and black diamonds, she even sported a 24-karat-gold chain bracelet. TIME reported that the sensational creation was valued at $50,000, equivalent to $78,000 (£58,260) in today's money.

Curiously, despite being displayed during Barbie's highly publicised anniversary celebrations, no verified photograph of this particular diamond-encrusted doll appears to be available online.

Created in 2008 to promote the Barbie & the Diamond Castle movie, this one-off was never intended for sale. Instead, its staggering value came from the real gems covering its outfit.

Unveiled in Mexico City, the stunning doll features 318 diamonds totalling 20.66 carats set into the dress, along with white-gold accessories. At the time, it was valued at $94,800, which is $147,000 (£110,800) today.

For Barbie's 40th birthday in 1999, Mattel teamed up with De Beers to create a bespoke doll wearing a gown set with 160 diamonds, valued at $80,000 at the time, and around $160,900 (£120,180) in today's money. At its London unveiling, the precious creation was pictured in the arms of a burly security guard.

Many websites mistakenly show a dark-haired Barbie in a triangular bikini-style top instead. That image is actually of a different De Beers charity doll from 2003.

Topping the list is this one-off Barbie designed by Australian jeweller Stefano Canturi in 2010. Underpinning the fabulous doll's value is her showpiece necklace. It dazzles with a rare one-carat pink diamond from Australia's Argyle mine, surrounded by three carats of white diamonds.

Christie's auctioned the doll in New York for $302,500, setting a world record for the most expensive Barbie ever sold, with the proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. That sky-high price is equivalent to $464,700 (£347,095) today.

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