Midge Hadley

50 year annivisary reporduction — A 50 year anniversary reproduction set

Midge Hadley was released in 1963 and is one of Barbie's best friends. Midge dolls were made through 1963 to 1967, 1983 to 1998, 2003 and 2013-present.

Doll History[]

In 1963, Mattel introduced Midge onto the market, who had less makeup and a more friendly look than Barbie after Barbie was 'sexually intimating' looking more like an adult woman like Bild Lilli was, and Midge won the hearts of little girls everywhere, just like Barbie. Midge started dating Allan in 1964 when he was introduced as Ken's best friend. Midge, Barbie, Allan, and Ken would double-date.

Midge was discontinued in 1967 and was replaced by PJ, who used the same Midge face mold. PJ was freckle-less, very pale, and wore heavy makeup that accentuated her rooted eyelashes in the Mod era.

Midge came back in 1987, first being California Dream Midge, but her appearances continued to be spotty, next to being seen marrying Alan in the 1991 Wedding Day set, only to disappear again (aside from 35th anniversary Midge from 1997) until the Happy Family series, which was quick to retire after absurd accusations of it promoting teen pregnancy. Midge finally came back in 2013, though no longer married with children, as they and Alan no longer exist.

In the early years, Midge was a teenager, the same age as Barbie, but during her multiple comebacks, it was led to believe that she was more of a young adult, around twenty-five years old, when marrying Alan, then having children. The first was Ryan, who came as a small child in the Happy Family series. Later, she had a little girl, Nikki, named after her best friend.

Later, around Nikki's first birthday, Midge was "pregnant" again with another child. The baby had no name. It was a surprise whether the baby was a girl or a boy when the owner opened the doll's box. Midge has two known parents who are simply called "Robert" and "Ethel". At first, the grandparent dolls were sold together as part of a big set consisting of the dolls and a kitchen playset, but they were sold separately for Nikki's first birthday. They came in both Caucasian and African American versions. They use different body molds to reflect their age.

In 2023, a Midge doll was released for the National Barbie Doll Collector's Convention - the Modern & Marvelous Midge Barbie Doll. Also, Midge was featured in Barbie: The Movie, portrayed by Emerald Fennell.

Character History[]

She is from Willows, Wisconsin, where Barbie grew up. They were neighbors and their families were very close.

Appearance[]

Midge has red hair, blue eyes and freckles.

Dolls[]

1963 - Midge - #860 (straight leg). Variations: blonde, brunette, no freckles, titian, with teeth
1965 - Wig Wardrobe Molded #1009 (head only)
1965 - Midge #1080 (bendable leg). Variations: blonde, brownette
1988 - Cool Times Midge Doll #3216
1990 - The Beat Midge #2752 (Barbie & the Beat)
1994 - Hot Skatin' Midge
2003 -Midge and Baby

Family[]

Midge's children are not canon anymore due to Mattel's troubles in controversies around the various pregnant Midge dolls.

Lila (Little sister) (Seen in the Wee 3 Friends doll line)
Grandma Hadley (Mom)
Grandpa Hadley (Dad)
Allan Sherwood (Ex-husband)
Nikki Sherwood (Daughter)
Cassandra Sherwood (Daughter)
Ryan Sherwood (Son)

See more about the Happy Family doll line.

Friends[]

Personality[]

Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse[]

Midge is a quirky, nerdy, smart and socially-awkward friend of Barbie's. She dresses vintage and uses old-fashioned phrases, such as 'groovy,' 'what a bunch of cream puffs,' etc. She enjoys knitting, macro-may, jigsaw puzzles, tea parties and surfing.

Quotes[]

Midge's quotes from Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse[]

I'm testing the water balance to make sure it's alright for my complicated skin condition.
And in violation of several building and zoning laws!
I broke it!
Back in Wisconsin, there was hail, rain. And we never let it ruin our 4th of July!