As I flipped through a treasure trove of ancient snaps from 1950, one photo jumped out at me like a peacock in a chicken coop—it was the Roman Holiday of 1959!

I made my grand entrance on March 9, 1959, strutting my stuff at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, thanks to the creative genius of Mattel, Inc.’s Ruth Handler. Her eureka moment came from the German Lilli doll back in 1956, and voilà, the Barbie doll was born soon after!

Peeking back at my life’s adventure, my earlier self resembled a stone-faced time traveler from the early 1900s, a time when smiles were as scarce as unicorns with glittery horns—because jobs were practically mythical back then. It’s a bit of a bummer, showing how life’s financial rollercoaster can suck the joy right out of us like a giant fun-sponge!

As I’ve transformed into a multi-career, multi-talented wonder woman, one truth remains crystal clear: the money worries never truly vanish and will linger for many.

If you’re still tangled up in the “money’s a slippery fish” net and on the hunt for larger fishes, sneak a peek here!