An award-winning star of stage and screen, Dame Helen Mirren has been named as the latest Barbie UK Role Model as the brand celebrates Female Storytellers during its 65th anniversary.

Dame Helen Mirren holding her one-of-a-kind Barbie

Mattel has announced that Dame Helen Mirren is being honoured as a Barbie Role Model ahead of Barbie’s 65th anniversary on 9th March and International Women’s Day on 8th March. The one-of-a-kind Barbie doll is being created in Dame Helen’s likeness in recognition of her decades-long acting career and versatility as a storyteller, breathing life into powerful and wide-ranging female stories for generations.

Dame Helen says: “I am absolutely blown away by my Barbie. To be chosen by Barbie as a Role Model is a huge compliment, and something I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams happening to me at this stage in my life. It’s a very special thing, and something I can add to my list of my favourite achievements; becoming a Dame of the British Empire, having an Oscar, having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – and having my own Barbie.”

The one-of-a-kind Helen Mirren Barbie doll re-creates the iconic blue fashion look Helen wore on the 2023 Cannes red carpet, where she debuted blue hair while wearing a cornflower blue gown by Del Core and jewellery by Bulgari. The doll carries a blue fan – one of Helen’s trademark red carpet accessories – and a miniature Oscar statue, in recognition of Helen’s 2007 Academy Awards Best Actress win.

Dame Helen Mirren is one of the world’s best known and most respected actresses with an international career that spans stage, screen and television and has won many awards for her powerful and versatile performances, including the Academy Award in 2007 for her performance in The Queen. The only performer to have achieved both the American and the British Triple Crowns of Acting, Helen’s career began with the National Youth Theatre, playing Cleopatra, and most recently included the narrator role in 2023’s record-breaking Barbie the Movie.

Helen is also patron of a number of organisations supporting women, young people and children, and as part of Barbie’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of girls, the Barbie brand will donate funds to support two of Dame Helen Mirren’s chosen organisations: Barnardo’s and The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

Dame Helen says: “Barnardo’s does amazing work that supports young people in their travails and their journey through life. I am proud to also support the National Youth Theatre because without them, I don’t know that I would have been able to become an actress. It’s an organisation that allows young people, irrespective of finances, to enter into the world of theatre, of drama, of telling stories across many roles on stage and behind the scenes. And it was very important in my life so I’m thrilled that we can continue to support them.”

Today, in its 65th year, Barbie also recognises women worldwide who are shaping the future through their inspiring stories with a one-of-a-kind role model doll made in their likeness. The line-up includes:

• Helen Mirren (UK): Acclaimed actress and advocate for women’s stories
• Viola Davis (USA): Critically revered artist, activist, producer, philanthropist, and best-selling author
• Shania Twain (Canada): Global superstar, celebrated songwriter and style icon
• Kylie Minogue (Australia): Superstar artist
• Maira Gomez (Brazil): Content creator from the indigenous community of the Tatuyo ethnic group in Amazonas
• Lila Avilés (Mexico): Director, producer and screenwriter
• Nicole Fujita (Japan): Model
• Enissa Amani (Germany): Comedian and political activist

Krista Berger, senior vice president, global head of Barbie and Dolls, says: “Barbie’s story has never been just about her. It’s about the countless young girls she’s inspired, and the millions of stories she helped them imagine along the way. For the past 65 years, Barbie has used her global platform to empower the next generation to dream big, explore their limitless potential, and direct their own narrative to shape their future. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we recognise over six decades of stories Barbie has helped write and the doll that continues to give everyone the opportunity to dream – and dream big.”