Ruth Handler

Born Ruth Mosko to Polish-Jewish immigrants in Denver, Colorado, Ruth Handler was the youngest of ten children. Her entrepreneurial spirit manifested early, working in her brother-in-law's store before marrying her high school sweetheart, Elliot Handler. Together, they would build an empire that started with picture frames and dollhouse furniture, leading to one of the most recognizable brands on the planet.

Handler's stroke of genius came from observing her daughter playing with paper dolls, imagining them as adults rather than babies. The market was flooded with infant dolls, but no adult-figured dolls existed. Thus, Barbie Millicent Roberts was born in 1959, named after Handler's own daughter. She later invented the "Nearly Me" prosthetic breast for women who had undergone mastectomies, after her own battle with breast cancer, demonstrating her continued commitment to innovation and empowering women.

Despite her immense success, Handler's career wasn't without its bumps. She was forced to resign from Mattel in 1974 amidst allegations of financial fraud, for which she was later indicted and pleaded no contest. Still, her legacy as the mother of Barbie and a pioneering businesswoman remains, ensuring her a permanent spot in the pantheon of figures who shaped modern culture, for better or worse.