Mattel marks Marilyn Monroe centenary with Barbie doll in iconic 1953 gown
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Mattel has released a new Barbie Signature doll honouring Marilyn Monroe, inspired by her performance of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" in the 1953 film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." The doll launched on 18 August, more than two months after what would have been Monroe's 100th birthday on 1 June, forming part of a year-long series of exhibitions, auctions and tributes marking her centenary and enduring cultural influence more than six decades after her death.
Priced at $81 and sold via Amazon, the doll recreates Monroe's iconic hot-pink gown from the musical number, complete with an oversized bow, opera gloves and sparkling jewellery. Mattel's design chief Robert Best said the release also aims to honour Monroe as "a savvy producer, a businesswoman and a boundary-breaking artist," continuing a tradition of Monroe-inspired dolls dating back to at least 1997, which has previously included looks from "The Seven Year Itch," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "How to Marry a Millionaire."
- Mattel launches $81 Marilyn Monroe Barbie on 18 August 2026
- Doll recreates her pink "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" gown
- Marks Monroe's centenary; part of Mattel's Monroe doll line since 1997
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Marilyn Monroe would have turned 100 on 1 June 2026, and companies and institutions have been marking the milestone throughout the year with exhibitions, auctions and tributes celebrating her lasting cultural impact more than 60 years after her death. Monroe remains one of the most recognisable Hollywood stars of the 20th century, remembered both for films such as "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and for her broader influence on fashion and popular culture.
Mattel, the toy company behind Barbie, has a long-running practice of producing collectible dolls modelled on famous figures and film moments, including previous Monroe-themed releases stretching back to the late 1990s. These Barbie Signature dolls are aimed at collectors rather than children, typically sold at a higher price point and designed to closely recreate a star's specific look or costume.
The gown referenced in this instance comes from the "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" musical sequence in the 1953 film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," one of Monroe's best-known performances and a scene often cited as emblematic of her screen image.
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Originally published by Variety as “New Marilyn Monroe Barbie Doll Inspired by ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ Ensemble”.