The Brits with their own Barbies, from JK Rowling to Elton John

Barbie has had many famous incarnations, both men and women
Margot Robbie
Barbie has had many famous incarnations, both men and women
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Nuray Bulbul21 July 2023

Over the years, hundreds of famous people, such as Audrey Hepburn and Farrah Fawcett, have been made into Barbie dolls.

Following the Harry Potter frenzy, even JK Rowling purchased a doll for herself. Collectors’ artefacts sometimes eerily resemble their larger-than-life counterparts.

As Brits get ready for the release of the Barbie film, here are the British celebrities that got a Barbie makeover.

JK Rowling

The JK Rowling Barbie was released in 2010. The doll is dressed in the black wool suit and hot pink top combination she wore at the 2009 Monsters and Critics Award Banquet.

Rowling's Barbie doll, which did not go on general sale, was displayed in Mattel’s showroom at the world’s largest toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany.

Twiggy

The Twiggy Barbie doll is a rare doll first released in 1967.

The British fashion model was the first Mattel doll fashioned after a real person.

Will and Kate

Prince William and Kate Barbies were released in 2012 to commemorate the first anniversary of their wedding.

The dolls are dressed in their wedding day outfits and feature authentic replica details from their special day.

According to Amazon, the dolls were one of the year’s most sought after Barbie Collector Gift Sets.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn’s Barbie was released in 1998.

The Audrey Hepburn doll approved by the Audrey Hepburn estate acts as a tribute to the life and work of the actress. The first dolls and outfits in the collection are inspired by her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

David Bowie

This features the powder-blue costume David Bowie wore in the Life on Mars music video. Platform shoes, a bold tie and a pinstripe shirt with foil printing are all authentic accents.

The outfit is finished off with bright blue makeup and a 1970s glam-inspired hairdo.

Elizabeth Taylor

The Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds Barbie was released in 2012 and followed several others. She also has a Cleopatra doll, which reproduces the golden outfit she wore in the 1963 Cleopatra film she starred in with Richard Burton.

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall was released as part of the Barbie Inspiring Women Series in 2022. Barbie honoured the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace with a collectible doll made from recycled materials. Joined by chimpanzee David Greybeard, the Goodall Barbie doll wears field attire and comes equipped with a pair of binoculars and a notebook.

Elton John

The Elton John Barbie doll, released in 2020, has specially designed packaging and makes a great gift for fans and collectors.

In a glittery blouse and flared jeans adorned with Elton’s sparkling initials, the Elton John Barbie doll sparkles brilliantly. The doll's bomber jacket, which has the name “Elton” stamped on it, has rainbow-striped sleeves and a star-printed hem. Platform boots with rainbow stripes, a bowler hat and sparkling pink sunglasses are colourful allusions to the artist's signature look.

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