One of the most influential Latin American writers alive is getting her own Barbie doll. Isabel Allende, a Chilean author and activist and perhaps the most well-known woman writer to come out of Latin America in the last generation, is set to get her own ‘Inspiring Women’ Barbie doll and will also be appearing on the first-ever global Barbie Podcast.
Allende, better known for her book House of Spirits, was awarded the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama. She’s written over 25 books and has touched both on magical realism and her native Chile, including the exile she and her family were forced into for their political activism in the wake of the murder of her cousin, President Salvador Allende.
The Barbie doll wears a red dress with a gathered cape that drapes over the shoulder. She’s also wearing gold statement earrings, black heels, and bright red lips. She is set to be sold with Perla, a little dog like Allende’s own, and a miniature replica of La Casa de los Espíritus (House of Spirits).
“I have been telling stories since I was a child. Stories have incredible power, they challenge our minds and touch our hearts, they connect us to other people and teach us that we are not alone in the journey of life. I celebrate the Barbie brand’s initiative to inspire the next generation with the stories of unsung heroes. It’s an honor to be included in the Barbie Inspiring Women doll collection and to share my story in the Barbie Podcast. I want young kids to dream big. Everything is possible!” said Allende in a statement.
The Isabel Allende Inspiring Women doll is now available for pre-order on the Mattel Shop for $35.