Sasha & Malia Dolls Renamed
Ty Inc has ditched a pair of plushies named after the President’s tween daughters from its Ty Girlz Collection after receiving a verbal tongue lashing from the First Lady.
In a statement released Tuesday, Ty Inc. said the names “Marvelous Malia” and “Sweet Sasha” dolls were inspired by what he calls “this historic time in our nation’s history,” but weren’t intended to bear the likeness of President Barack Obama’s daughters, Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7.
At the time the original dolls were released, Michelle Obama’s press secretary, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, said in a statement, “We feel it is inappropriate to use young, private citizens for marketing purposes.”
Ty has renamed the dolls “Marvelous Mariah” and “Sweet Sydney.” Profits from sales of the original dolls, priced at $9.95, will be donated to charity.

