Hello Kitty Turns 50: A Look Back at the Beloved Icon

Hello Kitty, the beloved cartoon character that has charmed children and adults for generations, celebrates her 50th anniversary this year.

Created in 1974 by the Japanese company Sanrio, Hello Kitty was first introduced to the world in 1975. Her image, complete with her signature red bow, graced a small children's coin purse that sold for less than a dollar.

Since then, Hello Kitty's adorable, expressionless face has become a global phenomenon, appearing on toys, clothing, and a vast array of merchandise. Her universal appeal has even been the subject of doctoral dissertations. In the digital age, Hello Kitty has embraced the world of social media, becoming a popular TikTok star.

And, if plans for a hybrid animated/live-action feature film announced in 2019 continue to move forward, she may soon be gracing the silver screen.

Despite her widespread recognition, Hello Kitty remains shrouded in a certain mystery. Did you know her full name is actually Kitty White? And that she was born in London, England? Yes, this British kitty has a twin sister named Mimmy.

But perhaps the most surprising revelation about Hello Kitty is that she's not actually a cat. More on that later.

A Pop Culture Icon Since the 1970s

Before we celebrate Kitty White's 50th birthday, let's take a moment to revisit her journey through pop culture.

After Sanrio launched her in 1975, Hello Kitty quickly became a global merchandising superstar. Her image adorned kids' notebooks, lunchboxes, and clothing, and eventually found its way onto adult merchandise as well.

In 1987, she made her debut as an American cartoon star in the CBS animated series "Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater."

Despite her original fans growing up, Hello Kitty's eternally childlike charm continues to capture the hearts of young children and evoke nostalgic joy for their parents.

She has also maintained a cool factor, as pop star Lady Gaga demonstrated in 2009 when she wore a gown made entirely of plush Hello Kitty dolls to celebrate the character's 35th anniversary.

"Hello Kitty is not a cat"

In 2015, Hello Kitty became the subject of a retrospective exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, marking her first North American museum appearance.

The exhibition, titled "Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty," made headlines and sparked a few online meltdowns after its curator, Christine R. Yano, revealed that Hello Kitty is not a cat, but a little girl.

Yano, an anthropologist at the University of Hawaii, explained to the Los Angeles Times that Sanrio had firmly corrected her on the matter just before the exhibit opened.

"That's one correction Sanrio made for my script for the show. Hello Kitty is not a cat. She's a cartoon character. She is a little girl. She is a friend. But she is not a cat," Yano said. "She's never depicted on all fours. She walks and sits like a two-legged creature. She does have a pet cat of her own, however, and it's called Charmmy Kitty."

Many online fans expressed shock at this revelation, pointing out that Hello Kitty has whiskers and cat ears.

"Wait what my entire childhood was a lie?" one person tweeted in response to the news.

Pop star Katy Perry attempted to calm the critics, assuring them on Twitter that her own cat, aptly named Kitty Purry, "is a cat."

Who is Kitty White?

To celebrate Hello Kitty's 50th birthday, here are some verified facts about the character, as shared by Sanrio over the years:

Her full name is Kitty White.

She is a little girl (and not a cat).

She was born in the suburbs of London, England, where she still lives with her parents.

She has a twin sister named Mimmy, who wears a yellow bow on her right ear.

Kitty's hobbies are traveling, reading, and baking.

Her favorite food is her mother's apple pie.

She dreams of one day becoming a pianist or a poet.

Her birthday is November 1, 1974.

She has a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.

Kitty's boyfriend is her former childhood friend, Dear Daniel (or Daniel Starr), who was introduced to the public in 1999.

Daniel's hobbies are animal photography, dancing, and playing the piano.

Daniel wants to be a professional cameraman someday.

Kitty's best friend is Tiny Chum, a little teddy bear who wears a red bow that Kitty gave to him as a gift.

Hello Kitty, a symbol of cuteness and innocence, has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. As she enters her 50th year, her legacy as a pop culture icon and timeless symbol of joy continues to inspire and delight.