Australian surfer joins the celebrities immortalised as Barbies for IWD 2026

Champion Australian surfer, Stephanie Gilmore, is the latest Australian to be immortalised as a Barbie!

Writing in a post, Stephanie shared that she was honoured to be included:

“Inspiring young women to get into sport has been a big part of my role as a world champion, and it truly feels as rewarding as any of my trophies.”

“So cool to be immortalised as my very own Barbie as part of the Barbie Dream Team this International Women’s Day,” she continued. “Celebrating women around the world who are helping pave the way for the next generation to chase their dreams.”

The other women honoured in 2026 were tennis legend Serena Williams, research astronaut Kellie Geradi, professional race car driver Regina Sirvent Alvarado, footballer Chloe Kelly, pop artist Helene Fischer, expedition climber Zoja Skubis, and cricketer Smriti Mandhana.

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, Mattel announced it was honouring four powerful friendships of women who lift each other up. One of those duos was Australian former tennis world number ones and grand slam champions Ash Barty and Evonne Goolagong.

In a post shared to Instagram, Ash wrote that it was “A special opportunity to work alongside my mentor, Evonne, on a campaign celebrating our friendship. I am a believer in what you see, you can be. Evonne showed me what was possible when I was young – I hope to inspire girls in the same way.”

Others included in the International Women’s Day campaign include American Olympic gold medalists Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, British actresses Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple, and actress and activist duo Paola Antonini and Kelen Ferreira:

In honour of EGOT winner Rita Moreno’s 93rd birthday on December 11, 2024, Barbie released a doll version of her. The Barbie in question is wearing the same outfit Rita wore when she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1962.

Aussie superstar Kylie Minogue received her own Barbie in mid-2024. The Kylie Minogue Barbie wears Kylie’s vivid red outfit from the ‘Padam Padam’ music video.

“I think ‘Padam Padam’ was a good look for my Barbie moment because she’s very current,” Kylie said of her Barbie. “I feel like she’s going to be timeless; she pops, it’s a very unique outfit…she looks amazing. She’s got some drama.”

Timeless indeed! In February 2026, Mattel announced that the Kylie Minogue Barbie would be available in major retailers due to “popular demand”.

For the brand’s 65th anniversary celebrations, Barbie released a set of dolls recognising women worldwide who embody Barbie’s ethos. And Queen Camilla was among those women.

When presented with her doll, which wears a replica of Camilla’s Fiona Clare dress and Amanda Wakeley coat, the Queen said, “Thank you very, very much indeed. It’s brilliant. You’ve taken about 50 years off my life. We should all have a Barbie!”

Also, as a part of the brand’s 65th anniversary celebrations, Mattel created a Barbie doll in the likeness of Matilda‘s star Mary Fowler.

“When I saw myself as Barbie for the first time, it was crazy; I was honestly just a bit speechless,” Mary said when she was presented with her doll.

After bringing Barbie to life on the big screen, it was only natural for Mattel to immortalise Margot Robbie with a doll of her own.

Yes, the former politician and first woman to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs, and as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and the first female Chancellor of the Australian National University, who is also considered the first Aussie politician to take fashion seriously has been immortalised as a Barbie!

World-renowned New Zealand designer, Karen Walker, was celebrated for her contribution to the fashion industry with a stylish Barbie of her own in a classic Karen Walker-esque trench coat.

America Ferrera also had her Barbie character, Gloria, turned into a glamorous doll after the runaway success of the movie.

In 2023, Stevie Nicks got a signature Barbie as a part of the brand’s music series. The doll wears the same beguiling and witchy black dress Stevie wore on the cover of the seminal record, Rumours.

From her days as Sonny and Cher to being a pop powerhouse, Cher has been a mainstay in pop culture for decades. She’s so iconic that Mattel made four Barbies made of her. This one is an iteration of her ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ look.

Grace Kelly has also been honoured with a Barbie replica of herself. Her Barbie was inspired by her character from Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, who wears a dreamy white skirt and black satin top.

Marilyn Monroe is the quintessential Barbie girl, so it’s no surprise that they’ve released several Barbie iterations of the blonde bombshell over the years.

Dame Helen Mirren‘s Barbie is a remake of her look from the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival, where she debuted a Regency-inspired blue bouffant.

It’s no surprise that Shania Twain — the woman behind the iconic hit songs ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’ and ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ — has her own Barbie.

Viola Davis is an award-winning actress, best-selling author, and inspiring activist… So, of course, she’s been made into a Barbie!

In 2022, Mattel immortalised the late Tina Turner in Barbie form. Barbie honoured the powerhouse vocalist with a doll that wore the outfit from the ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ music video.

The wedding of Prince William and Princess Catherine was not only a real-life fairytale, it was also a historical moment. And what better way to cement that moment than with commemorative Barbies?

Cyndi Lauper has always unapologetically been herself; she’s the quintessential free spirit. So, as far as celebrity Barbies go, this is definitely one that just makes total sense. The Cyndi Lauper Barbie dons the same red dress and fishnet stockings from the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun album cover.