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Money & Company

Malia and Sasha Obama in doll form?

By Tiffany Hsu
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The First Daughters: Are they dolls or what?

The Web has been buzzing today about dolls called “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia,” the same names as the Obama girls.

Ty Inc., the company behind the Beanie Babies toys, released the 12-inch plush dolls in 2007 as part of the company’s “TyGirlz Collection.” The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeved shirt and Capri pants, while the Sasha doll sports pigtails, a white and pink dress and leggings.

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They appear to be the only African American dolls among the dozens in the collection.

But the Oak Brook, Illinois-based company chose the dolls’ names because ‘they are beautiful names,’ not because of any resemblance to President Obama’s daughters, spokeswoman Tania Lundeen told the Associated Press.

‘There’s nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls,’ Lundeen said. ‘It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not.’

A limited supply has been shipped to retailers, according to the Associated Press. The dolls retail for $9.99.

—Tiffany Hsu

Money & Company
Tiffany Hsu

Tiffany Hsu is a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she wrote about the California economy, fast food, restaurants, retail and alternative energy for the Business section. A Bay Area native, UC Berkeley graduate and eternal Nor-Cal fan, she once worked for the San Francisco Bay Guardian. She also did a stint at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where she developed a passion for sweet tea. She still has faith that someday she’ll find two economists who agree.

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