KCCI archives: Barbie superfan from Iowa proves you're never too old to play with toys
Marian Welch of Knoxville, Iowa, collected over 1,000 Barbie dolls.
Marian Welch of Knoxville, Iowa, collected over 1,000 Barbie dolls.
Marian Welch of Knoxville, Iowa, collected over 1,000 Barbie dolls.
The recent “Barbie” movie has undoubtedly renewed interest in the pop icon, but the statuesque doll has had fans for decades.
Since the first Barbie doll was released in 1959, the toy has had a legion of followers. They admire her beauty, poise and propensity for holding down numerous jobs.
One Knoxville woman, in particular — Marian Welch — was a Barbie superfan. A KCCI reporter visited her home in 1987 to interview the enthusiast and take a look at her massive collection.
WATCH the video to discover just how many Barbie dolls Welch had and why she thinks you’re never too old to enjoy them.
If you enjoyed this video, here are a few more blasts from the past.
Jim Brown visits Iowa to promote movie in early 1990s
Iowa man converts silos into a home
Unlikely sight: A moose on the loose in an Iowa cornfield