Every Monday here on Guinnessworldrecords.com, we’ll be dipping into our extensive video library to bring you a classic piece of record-breaking.
 
This week, as Barbie celebrates her 56th birthday we take a look back at Bettina Dorfmann's extensive record-breaking collection of over 15,000 different Barbie dolls. 
Bettina received her first doll back in 1966, but has only been collecting seriously since 1993.
 
The iconic doll made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959.  Barbie was first released by US toy giants Mattel in 1959. Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, the name of the daughter of Mattel founders Elliot and Ruth Handler (USA).
 

 Bettina posed for a Guinness World Records photoshoot (see above and below) in October 2011, when her collection surpassed 15,000 dolls.  

She received her first doll when she was five years old – but it wasn’t Barbie, it was Midge, Barbie’s best friend. 

She’s now the proud owner of an original (and rare) 1959 Barbie. Bettina runs a doll hospital for broken Barbies, where she fixes broken legs, untangles matted hair and replaces missing limbs! 

According to Mattel, there are in excess of 100,000 collectors of Barbie dolls worldwide. 

But right now, Bettina reigns supreme! 

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Largest Barbie Collection 1

Largest Barbie Collection Guinness World Records 2

Largest Barbie Collection Guinness World Records 3