Mattel has launched its first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes. The doll features a continuous glucose monitor on her arm and an insulin pump on her waist. She also has a mobile phone with a CGM app to track her blood sugar levels and a bag to carry snacks and supplies.
Mattel worked with Breakthrough T1D, formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to design the doll. It aims to represent the roughly 304,000 kids and teens in the United States who have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body doesn’t make enough insulin.
People with the condition have to take insulin by injection or through a pump to survive. It differs from type 2 diabetes, where the body still produces insulin but cells stop responding to it. Emily Mazreku, director of marketing and communications at Breakthrough T1D, lives with type 1 diabetes herself.
She worked with Mattel to design the doll, holding focus groups to get feedback and ensure it represents the entire type 1 diabetes community.
Barbie gets more inclusive representation
“Mattel approached us, and they wanted this to be a part of their Fashionista line,” Mazreku said.
“And we jumped on that opportunity right away.” The Fashionista line features dolls with over 175 different looks, including various skin tones, eye and hair colors, and representations of disabilities. Mattel spokesperson Devin Duff said, “We know that increasing the number of people who can see themselves in Barbie continues to resonate.” The company noted that the blind Barbie and the doll with Down syndrome were among the most popular Fashionista dolls globally in 2024. Experts say playing with dolls that have disabilities helps kids identify and understand the struggles of people with disabilities in real life.
It’s based on a theory that diverse characters help children from minority groups see themselves represented. It also gives kids a window into the lives of others, building empathy. Mazreku says it was “really special” for her 3-year-old daughter to play with the doll.
I brought Barbie home to her and gave her a chance to interact with her and see her things,” Mazreku said. “And she looked at me and she said, ‘She looks like Mommy.’ And that was so special for me.”
The new Barbie with type 1 diabetes made her debut at the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C. The event brings youth delegates living with the condition face-to-face with lawmakers to advocate for policy change and increased research funding. Her launch represents a historic moment for visibility, validation, and empowerment for the millions of people worldwide living with type 1 diabetes.
