Francie is a member of Barbie's large circle of family and friends who are partly responsible for her long-term success. Introduced in 1966, Francie is a cousin of Barbie. She is a mod doll produced with several different body types. The first Francie was straight legged, wore bangs and had eyelashes. Later versions of the doll went without eyelashes or bangs and included Barbie's trademark Twist 'N Turn waist. Cousin Francie was also released in an African-American version which is a highly valued collectible today.

Francie has a wide variety of clothing and accessories. The doll comes dressed in a two-piece bathing suit, but there are also one-piece alternatives. Francie's wardrobe is hardly limited to swimwear. She has clothing styles for all occasions. She wears groovy psychedelic mini skirts, mini dresses and long formal taffeta gowns. She even has a wedding dress, although the Barbie family tree does not indicate that she is married.

Vintage Francies can be quite valuable, with the black Francie doll being one of the priciest. A mint condition black Francie is extremely hard to find. Francies with movable parts can also be difficult to find in good condition. The Twist 'N Turn waist often gets jammed and limbs have a tendency to loosen and fall off. This is why the most valuable collectible Francies are those that are in mint condition in the box.

Francie is just one example of the Barbie extended collection. There are several more friends and family that have been introduced throughout Barbie's extensive 44 year history. The lasting appeal of Barbie's cousin, Francie, demonstrates that Barbie isn't the only doll with something to offer young girls. Today, collectors are drawn to Francie's unique period fashions that are unlike any other doll in the line.