Fans have awaited a long-anticipated Barbie inspired by the legendary salsa icon Celia Cruz, known as the “salsa queen.” The figure hits shelves this Tuesday, a launch that follows two years of anticipation after Mattel first announced the project and shared a photo of the baby doll in 2021. [citation: Mattel press materials]
The release serves as a teaser for Hispanic Heritage Month in 2023, which begins on September 15. It arrives as part of Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series, a collection Mattel describes as honoring remarkable figures whose courage and trailblazing actions expanded what girls can dream of achieving. [citation: Mattel press materials]
The new Barbie portrays a youthful Celia Cruz wearing a form-fitting red Cuban rumbera dress with ruffled lace at the hem and sleeves. The doll features a blonde wig styled in a high bun, a necklace, long earrings, and distinctive golden shoes. The design aims to capture Cruz’s iconic stage presence and Afro-Caribbean musical heritage. [citation: Mattel press materials]
Celia Cruz’s Barbie becomes real more than two decades after the beloved artist, dubbed the “Guarachera de Cuba,” passed away on July 16, 2003. Cruz’s career spanned six decades and produced 75 albums, making her one of the most influential figures in Latin music history. [citation: historical records]
Known worldwide as the salsa queen, Cruz helped bring Afro-Caribbean rhythms to a global audience and collaborated with iconic groups like the Fania Stars. Her work earned multiple platinum and gold records, three Grammy Awards, four Latin Grammy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Arts, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her enduring voice and dynamic stage persona left a lasting imprint on generations of listeners. [citation: awards and recognitions]
Beyond the music, Cruz’s exuberant performances and warm, powerful spirit are remembered as much as her hit songs. Her signature cry, a shout of joy and resilience, remains a defining moment in salsa history. In Mattel’s view, Cruz epitomizes a dazzling performer who excels across many Afro-Caribbean genres, with a vibrant stage presence and a style that resonates with fans across nationalities and eras. [citation: Mattel press materials]
Mattel notes that Cruz stands among a select group of inspirational women featured in Barbie’s collection, alongside figures such as Anna May Wong, Bessie Coleman, Maya Angelou, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ella Fitzgerald, Frida Kahlo, and others who shaped culture and history. The Barbie line aims to celebrate women who broke barriers and inspired younger generations to aim higher. [citation: Mattel press materials]
In related commemorations, Cruz will be honored on a forthcoming U.S. 25-cent coin scheduled for circulation next year, with her image paired with the word often associated with joy and sweetness. This mirrors a broader tradition of recognizing Cruz’s legacy in American culture. [citation: mint announcements]
Prior to this release, Cruz had already been commemorated in American philatelic history through a set of Forever Stamps issued in 2011, which featured Cruz alongside other Latin music luminaries of the era. The stamp collection celebrated Cruz’s enduring influence on music and culture, reinforcing her role as a global ambassador for Spanish-language artistry. [citation: stamp series records]