I've always thought that it was because she was victorian. At least when I think of a classic doll it is victorian in style, and that is what samantha is. I guess she would appeal to all ages for different reasons. When I was 10 it was because she had brown eyes and hair like me, and becaues she was victorian. I was infatuated with ann of green gables, the little princess, and the secret garden. Samantha was all of these put together.