Xavier Roberts is an American businessman and entrepreneur who is best known for creating and manufacturing the Cabbage Patch Kids, one of the most popular children’s dolls of all time. But how much is he worth today? And how did he come up with the idea of the cuddly toys? In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Xavier Roberts’ net worth, career, and achievements.
Who is Xavier Roberts?
Cabbage Patch Kids, created and owned by Xavier Roberts, are a series of plush dolls that have made billions of dollars worldwide through sales in more than 100 countries. He was one of six siblings born to him and his mother on October 31, 1955, in Cleveland, Georgia.
He inherited his mother’s skill as a seamstress and quilter. He studied art and business at Truett McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia. He was also a tour guide at Babyland General Hospital, a historical site in the area that featured dolls and toys manufactured by local artisans.
What is Xavier Roberts Net Worth?
As of 2023, Xavier Roberts’ net worth is estimated to be between $50 million and $100 million, according to various online sources. He lives in a mansion in Georgia, where he has an extensive collection of art and antiques. He is also involved in philanthropic activities, such as donating dolls and money to various charities and causes.
How Did Xavier Roberts Create the Cabbage Patch Kids?
In the late 1970s, Roberts was inspired by the American folk art movement and started experimenting with making his dolls from various materials. He called his dolls “Little People” and sold them at folk art exhibitions across the southeastern United States. He also opened his store and workshop in Cleveland, Georgia, where he converted a former medical clinic into a new Babyland General Hospital.
Roberts’ dolls were unique and innovative, as they had soft, sculpted faces and bodies and came with adoption papers and birth certificates. Each doll was also given a name and a backstory, creating a sense of personality and individuality for the toys.
In 1982, Roberts signed an exclusive licensing deal with Coleco, a toy company that wanted to mass-produce and market his dolls. Roberts agreed to rename his dolls “Cabbage Patch Kids,” based on a story he created about how the dolls were born from cabbages in a magical garden.
Eye For Film shared a post on Twitter:
Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story Of The Cabbage Patch Kids explores a marketing phenomenon with a massive cultural impact https://t.co/WvAXodD7Ei pic.twitter.com/tbXjfdhtNW
— Eye For Film (@EyeForFilm) November 23, 2023
How Successful Were the Cabbage Patch Kids?
In the ’80s, the Cabbage Patch Kids were a cultural sensation thanks to their enormous success. Long lineups and even fights broke out at certain locations since they sold out so quickly due to their tremendous demand. Clothing, accessories, books, games, and cartoons are just some of the items that they gave rise to.
There were over 20 million Cabbage Patch Kids marketed globally by 1984, and by 1999, that figure had risen to 95 million. Toy of the Year in 1983 and 1984, Parents’ Choice in 1986, and National Toy Hall of Fame entry in 2010 were among the numerous accolades bestowed upon the Cabbage Patch Kids.
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What Did Xavier Roberts Do After the Cabbage Patch Kids?
After the peak of the Cabbage Patch Kids craze, Roberts continued to create and sell his original Little People dolls through his company, Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. He also launched a line of toy bears called Furskin Bears, which had some moderate success in the late 1980s.
Roberts also retained some creative control and royalties from the Cabbage Patch Kids, even though the license changed hands several times over the years. The current owner of the license is Wicked Cool Toys, which acquired it in 2015.