Barbie introduces first doll with type 1 diabetes which includes a real glucose monitor and an insulin pump
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Barbie has taken on countless roles over the decades, but her latest transformation is striking a deeply personal chord.
The iconic doll now includes a version with Type 1 diabetes, equipped with realistic medical tools like a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump.
It’s part of the Fashionistas line, which focuses on diverse, inclusive representations of real-life experiences.
This release marks a new chapter in how toys can reflect children’s health journeys and lived realities.
The doll features a CGM secured with heart-shaped medical tape on her upper arm, a waist-worn insulin pump, and a smartphone showing a glucose-tracking app.
Her outfit—a blue polka dot top and ruffled skirt—subtly nods to the international symbol for diabetes awareness, the blue circle.
She carries a pastel blue purse, the kind someone with T1D might use for snacks or emergency supplies. Every detail was crafted to mirror what real people use and wear to manage their condition daily.
This project was developed through a collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, a leading diabetes research organization.
Mattel worked closely with the group to ensure the doll’s medical accessories were as accurate as they are meaningful.
The doll will also be donated to attendees of the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress in Washington, DC.
The event brings over a hundred kids with Type 1 diabetes to meet with lawmakers and advocate for continued research support.
For many children with diabetes, seeing their reality reflected in a Barbie doll offers much more than novelty—it’s a moment of validation.
Also read: Lower your risk of diabetes with this delicious daily snack!
According to Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, “Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.”
That message resonates especially with kids who often feel isolated by their condition. It can also help their peers better understand and accept medical differences.
To help launch this doll, Mattel is spotlighting two public figures who are living with T1D and have used their platforms to advocate for visibility.
Model Lila Moss and Peloton instructor Robin Arzón are both being honored as part of the campaign. Arzón shared that she hopes the doll "can help show kids that all types of challenges give us all the more reason to push forward and achieve our dreams.”
Moss said the recognition felt “both surreal and special,” underscoring how personal and symbolic this release can be.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that typically begins in childhood or adolescence and requires lifelong insulin therapy and glucose monitoring.
Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which is more common in adults and often influenced by lifestyle factors, T1D involves the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells.
It demands constant attention and management, often involving wearable technology like the CGM and pump featured on the new Barbie. These are tools real people rely on daily to stay safe and healthy.
Also read: You Won't Believe the Terrifying Hello Kitty Cake Mistake That's Taking the Internet by Storm!
The new Type 1 diabetes Barbie is available now for $10.99 at major retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Mattel’s official website.
At an accessible price point, it brings a meaningful story into playrooms across the country. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers alike now have a new way to teach kids about health, acceptance, and real-world challenges. For kids with diabetes, this Barbie sends one clear message: they belong.
Read next: Moms are standing by their dolls—and critics can’t stop talking
Do you or someone you love live with diabetes? How do you start conversations with your kids or grandkids about health and inclusion? Share your thoughts in the comments—and let’s talk about how toys like this can help reshape the world our children grow up in.
The iconic doll now includes a version with Type 1 diabetes, equipped with realistic medical tools like a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump.
It’s part of the Fashionistas line, which focuses on diverse, inclusive representations of real-life experiences.
This release marks a new chapter in how toys can reflect children’s health journeys and lived realities.
The doll features a CGM secured with heart-shaped medical tape on her upper arm, a waist-worn insulin pump, and a smartphone showing a glucose-tracking app.
Her outfit—a blue polka dot top and ruffled skirt—subtly nods to the international symbol for diabetes awareness, the blue circle.
She carries a pastel blue purse, the kind someone with T1D might use for snacks or emergency supplies. Every detail was crafted to mirror what real people use and wear to manage their condition daily.
This project was developed through a collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, a leading diabetes research organization.
Barbie introduces first doll with type 1 diabetes which includes a real glucose monitor and an insulin pump. Image source: barbie / Instagram
Mattel worked closely with the group to ensure the doll’s medical accessories were as accurate as they are meaningful.
The doll will also be donated to attendees of the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress in Washington, DC.
The event brings over a hundred kids with Type 1 diabetes to meet with lawmakers and advocate for continued research support.
For many children with diabetes, seeing their reality reflected in a Barbie doll offers much more than novelty—it’s a moment of validation.
Also read: Lower your risk of diabetes with this delicious daily snack!
According to Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, “Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.”
That message resonates especially with kids who often feel isolated by their condition. It can also help their peers better understand and accept medical differences.
To help launch this doll, Mattel is spotlighting two public figures who are living with T1D and have used their platforms to advocate for visibility.
Model Lila Moss and Peloton instructor Robin Arzón are both being honored as part of the campaign. Arzón shared that she hopes the doll "can help show kids that all types of challenges give us all the more reason to push forward and achieve our dreams.”
Moss said the recognition felt “both surreal and special,” underscoring how personal and symbolic this release can be.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that typically begins in childhood or adolescence and requires lifelong insulin therapy and glucose monitoring.
Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which is more common in adults and often influenced by lifestyle factors, T1D involves the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells.
It demands constant attention and management, often involving wearable technology like the CGM and pump featured on the new Barbie. These are tools real people rely on daily to stay safe and healthy.
Also read: You Won't Believe the Terrifying Hello Kitty Cake Mistake That's Taking the Internet by Storm!
The new Type 1 diabetes Barbie is available now for $10.99 at major retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Mattel’s official website.
At an accessible price point, it brings a meaningful story into playrooms across the country. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers alike now have a new way to teach kids about health, acceptance, and real-world challenges. For kids with diabetes, this Barbie sends one clear message: they belong.
Read next: Moms are standing by their dolls—and critics can’t stop talking
