A Brief History of Terri Lee - “Born to love and be loved.”

Those heartfelt words were written by Terri Lee’s founder and creator, Violet Lee Gradwohl – an innovative and creative mother with little business experience, and an entrepreneurial vision. The words ring as true today as they did in 1946, the year Terri Lee was created.

A true family venture, Terri Lee bore the name of Violet’s own daughter, while her cousin, noted artist Maxine Stevens, sculpted the original mold in the likeness of her daughter, Drienne.

Celebrated artist Lee Platt was one of the original painters of Terri Lee’s delicate features and distinctive eyelashes, capturing a signature style that collectors quickly grew to know and love.

Terri Lee was the world’s best dressed toddler in the 1940’s and 1950’s, and a fashion icon to thousands of little girls across the country. A hallmark of the Terri Lee story, her fashion wardrobe consisted of over 500 different costumes and accessories at the height of her popularity. Each and every one made with the strictest attention to detail and the highest quality fabrics.

Terri Lee was one of the first companies to promote diversity with an ethnic doll line in the 1940’s, Violet was certainly ahead of her time. With her business and marketing skills sharpened, she formed strategic partnerships with popular brands like the Girl Scouts, Peter Pan Peanut Butter, the Heart Fund Campaign and Steiff, bringing even more name recognition and popularity to the Terri Lee family of dolls.

The company survived two devastating and mysterious fires and the demise of two major companies - only to come back time and again. Sadly, production finally ended for the Terri Lee dolls in 1962 - but not for long.

Terri Lee Schrepel, Vi’s daughter and the doll’s namesake, retained the rights to the original doll’s molds and dyes. In 1997, Fritz Duda, Violet’s nephew, was instrumental in founding Terri Lee Associates; the company that today markets and produces the doll that has touched so many hearts for so long.

We welcome you to the Terri Lee family.

About Terri Lee Associates

Founded by members of the original Lee family, Terri Lee Associates was established in 1997, with the goal of keeping the Terri Lee doll in the hearts and minds of all who love her.

Terri Lee Schrepel, the doll’s namesake and daughter of creator Violet Gradwhol, was able to maintain the original dyes and molds of the Terri Lee doll. As one of the founding members of Terri Lee Associates, Terri assisted in the formulation of a new business strategy by assigning the use of her name and rights to the dyes and molds to Terri Lee Associates. Other members of the company include Maxine's daughter, Drienne Spencer, Connie Lynn Thyne, Terri's daughter and namesake for the Connie Lynn doll, and Fritz Duda, Violet’s nephew.
The dolls in the Terri Lee line are consolidated under the flagship of Terri Lee Associates. Today, Terri Lee Associates owns all of the intellectual property rights, trademarks and copyrights in connection with the Terri Lee line.
The company acquires and maintains a limited collection of Terri Lee dolls and licenses the manufacture, sale and distribution of the line, including the Terri Lee wardrobe, to qualified companies. Licensing arrangements are represented by Gretchen McGinnis. Worldwide sales managed by Allyson Kovaleski.

Born to Love and Be Loved – original words written by Terri Lee’s founder, Violet Gradwohl – words that epitomize the Terri Lee legacy. It’s our vow to you, our special friends, to keep this iconic doll in the hearts and minds of every girl – no matter what her age may be.