American Girl Turns 40 in 2026: Why the Dolls Still Matter to Grown Women Today

On a recent bus commute into New York City, I met a woman from my neighborhood who runs a small side hustle restoring American Girl dolls. She described repairing frayed hair, sourcing garments, and cleaning dolls that had been passed down or rediscovered long after their original purchase. Her clients, she told me, are almost entirely adults. The conversation was a reminder that American Girl dolls are not just for kids. As we approach its 40th anniversary in 2026, the brand’s most passionate fans are all grown up...