First Female Self-Made Millionaire Honored With Her Own Barbie

The new Barbie is part of Mattel’s Inspiring Women Series.

Mattel's newest addition to their Inspiring Women series of Barbie dolls is Madam C.J. Walker, America's first recorded female self-made millionaire in history.

As the official Mattel website states, "A Black entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist, her line of hair and cosmetic products for Black women propelled her to become the first female self-made millionaire in America. We're incredibly honored to add Madam C.J. Walker to the Inspiring Women Collection."

Walker was born in 1867 in Louisiana as Sarah Breedlove to Owen and Minerva Anderson Breedlove, who were enslaved prior to the end of the Civil War. Through hard work, talent, and determination, Walker learned all about business and the hair care industry for Black women and founded the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company in 1910.

The self-made millionaire designed and made products specifically for Black women, and she employed thousands of Black women at the company. Outside of that, Walker was also an activist and philanthropist throughout her life.

According to the official listing on Mattel's website, the Madam C.J. Walker Barbie Inspiring Women Doll "wears a full-length skirt and a blouse with beautiful floral print and ruffled details. A 'Madam C.J. Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower' accessory completes her look."

The new Barbie was designed by Carlyle Nuera, who said in a statement on Mattel Creations website, "She's been on my dream list of icons to add to our Inspiring Women series. She created opportunities for herself, and uplifted other Black women, making her truly an inspiring woman."

Nuera went into detail about the process, saying, "We worked directly with A'Lelia Bundles, the great-great-granddaughter and official biographer of Madam C.J. Walker, and an author and journalist."

Continuing, he explained, "My research into what Walker wore, as well as what was typical of the early 1900s, was supplemented by access to the Walker family archives. A'Lelia sent us rare photos, as well as cultural insight for what was ideal for Black women at the time and insight to what Walker herself loved."

The new Barbie joins a list of accomplished women throughout history featured in the Inspiring Women collection that includes Ida B. Wells, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, and more. She's already sold out direct from Mattel but is still in stock at Walmart and Amazon at the time of writing.

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