This 'Barbie doctor' has a collection of 18,500 dolls
The release of the Barbie movie brought many fans to the front. One of them is Bettina Dorfmann from Germany, a self-proclaimed "Barbie doctor." Dorfmann holds a Guinness World Record (GWR) for having an impressive collection of 18,500 dolls. At 62, Dorfmann is renowned for her doll restoration skills, earning her the title of a Barbie doctor. She repairs Barbie dolls for others.
Dorfmann got her first doll in the year 1966
Dorfmann received her very first Barbie doll in 1966 when she was just five years old. However, she began her collection seriously in 1993. "I love Barbie dolls because I played with them in my childhood, and it was a very good time for me," she told GWR. Interestingly, she holds the record for the largest collection of Barbie dolls since 2005.
She has dolls of all sizes and shapes
Dorfmann has been collecting Barbies for over 30 years now. She has dolls in every shape and size. Barbies have been produced in a wide variety over the years since her introduction in 1959 by Mattel. This Barbie enthusiast is the proud owner of the rarest and priciest dolls in her collection. Dorfmann made her living showcasing her Barbies and writing books about Barbies.
From Barbie collector to renowned 'Barbie doctor'
Dorfmann started the repairing business when she began fixing her own dolls and buying replacement parts for them. Eventually, collectors at toy trade fairs started asking her to restore their dolls' accessories or parts. Currently, she charges anything between €5 (Rs. 450) for quick on-the-spot repairs up to about €300 (Rs. 27,000) for complex repairs that require more time and effort.
'Barbie is a mirror for our times'
The "Barbie doctor" continues to add to her collection. Reportedly, she has already acquired dolls released for the Greta Gerwig film Barbie. "Barbie is a mirror for our times. Through her, we can see how the world has changed - including women's careers from the 50s to today, " she told inews. The superfan continues to run her "doll hospital" even today.
