Ken turns 65: Barbie’s boyfriend announces a major life change

As the world prepares to celebrate his 65th birthday this March, Kenneth Sean Carson—better known as Ken—is embarking on a surprising new chapter.

The iconic doll, who first hit shelves in 1961 as Barbie’s "dream guy," has officially announced he is ready for a change.

In a Monday Instagram update from Mattel, Ken revealed he "needs to see what else is out there," vowing to try 65 new things to mark his milestone anniversary.

Named after Kenneth Handler, the son of Mattel’s founders, the doll has always been the beach-loving counterpart to Barbara Millicent Roberts (Barbie).

However, the real Kenneth Handler once admitted he was quite different from his plastic namesake, describing himself as a "nerd" who preferred subtitled films to surfing.

The couple’s long-standing romance hasn’t been without drama; they famously split in 2004—Barbie briefly moved on with an Australian surfer named Blaine—before reuniting on the set of Toy Story 3 in 2011.

Now, in a dramatic video, Ken has bid a temporary farewell to the Malibu waves, telling himself, "Don’t look back," as he seeks a fresh identity.

This evolution follows Mattel's recent efforts toward inclusivity, including the launch of the first Barbie with autism.

As Ken steps out of the surf and into the unknown, the toy giant is asking fans for suggestions on where his new journey should lead.

It’s a bold move for a figure who has spent six decades as the world’s most famous "plus-one."