1968 Talking Barbies

Back of Talking Barbie box

Updated July 2025:
​In 1968, Talking Barbie found her voice! New technology allowed her to talk with a pink flower pull-string behind her neck - although Barbie actually spoke through a voice box in her chest. She suggested fun things to do to inspire hours of play. Most of these dolls are mute today because of deteriorated rubber bands inside but they can be repaired to talk again.

​Barbie said things like, "Let's go shopping," "I have a date tonight," "What's playing at the cinema?" and more. She chats about fashion, prom, shopping, parties and dates. Collectors score when they find a vintage talker than can still speak! In the earlier models, Barbie mentioned Stacie ("Stacie and I are having a tea") but later she spoke to her bestie P.J. 

Talking Barbie was produced in a few versions from 1968 - 1972. All of the Talking Barbies have bendable legs and the same head mold as the Twist ‘n Turn Barbie. Early Barbies had divided fingers. After 1968, Barbie's fingers were not completely separated. Hands can vary from doll to doll, so look closely at how they were made and from what material.

I was five years old when I got my first Barbie and it was the 1968 Talking Barbie. I was mesmerized by her beauty. My first love! Well, there was Benjamin when I was 3 years old but that's another story, haha. 

The first Talking Barbie in 1968 is side-glancing with a side-parted, twisted pony with three pink ribbons and is available in blonde, light brown and dark brunette. She wears a two-piece pink swimsuit.

The 1969 Talking Barbie added a redhead to the other hair colors noted above. Her hairstyle changed to a side-parted bun at the nape of her neck with a pin curl at each ear and her forehead. She wears a coral two-piece swimsuit with a white cover-up that has a matching coral collar. 

In 1970, Talking Barbie wore a white two-piece swimsuit and a gold mesh knee-length cover-up. She's my favorite of all my Talking Barbies. And the only Barbie I haven't unboxed! (see side photo)

In 1971, Talking Barbie started appearing as a center-eyed doll. Same hair style and colors as the previous nape curls, though with more of a light coral lip shade.

In 1972, Talking Barbie came in a Baggie version and didn't speak.

Barbie's Talking Friends

​1968 Talking Barbie #1115 has two Talking friends who were introduced in 1968:
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1. Talking Stacey #1125 /  She is Barbie’s British chum and speaks with a British accent.
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2. Talking Christie #1126 / She is historically important because she is the first African-American friend of Barbie. She uses the Midge head mold. This is the best video I've ever seen on the history of Christie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eWMmXzIb1A.

In 1969, Talking Barbie, Talking Christie and Talking Stacey are identical to the 1968 editions but have a new color box. Also in 1969, three additional Talking dolls debuted:
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1. Talking Ken #1111 / He is the first new Ken doll, Barbie's boyfriend, issued since 1967 since Mattel didn't offer a Ken doll in 1968. 

2. New ‘N Groovy Talking P.J. #1113 / She is identified as Barbie's best friend. She uses the Midge face sculpt, has brown eyes, rooted eyelashes, and pale blond hair pulled into two sections tied with beads and worn with bangs. Oftentimes the cute beads are missing because children pulled them off. The beads are one of my favorite traits of P.J.'s! 

3. Talking Julia #1128 / She is a personality doll depicting Diahann Carroll, star of the NBC show Julia which aired from 1968 - 1971. I have this doll and just love her! She's wearing a groovy gold and silver jumpsuit. 

Talking Brad #1114 debuted in 1970 and is Christie's boyfriend. The only Talking Barbie produced in 1971 was Barbie herself and she now has side-glance eyes.

In 1968, a Spanish-speaking Talking Barbie debuted. Later Talking Barbies around the world could speak French, Dutch, British, German or Japanese.  

The last of the Talking dolls were produced in 1972; Talking Busy Barbie #1195, Talking Busy Steffie #1186 and Talking Busy Ken #1196.

Who’s your favorite Talking Barbie?!

​Click here to find your Talking Barbie on eBay!

1968 Talking Barbie - Values: $475 - $550 NRFB; $275 - $350 mint/no box
Values from "Vintage Barbie Dolls" by Hillary Shilkitus James (2011)

1968 - 1969 Wedding Wonder #1849 - Values: $400 NRFB
Values from Barbie Doll Fashion by Sarah Sink Eames (2001)

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