Mary Fowler Is Getting Her Own Barbie Doll

It was 2022 when Mary Fowler was crowned the ‘One to Watch’ at our very own Women in Sport Awards, fast forward two years later and all eyes are on her.

At a mere 21 years old, Fowler has become a critical player for the Australian national and Manchester City football teams. She was selected for the FIFA World Cup in 2019 – the team’s youngest player – when she was just 16 years old. Since her rise, she has been to two FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2020 Tokyo Games.

And now, amidst her preparation for Paris 2024, the Matilda’s forward has been awarded with a lifetime achievement: her very own Barbie Doll.

Part of a group of nine other female athletes from around the world who were awarded with their own doll, including the likes of Venus Williams and Canada’s Christine Sinclair, Barbie has committed to an ongoing legacy of honouring women in sports and amplify women’s voices on continuation of the doll brand’s 65th anniversary.

“When I saw myself as Barbie for the first time, it was crazy,” Fowler said in a statement. “I was honestly just a bit speechless because I never would have thought that I’d have a Barbie that looks just like me.

“I think there’s so many other incredible women that have been made as Barbies, and I just never would’ve thought that I’d be up there with them. I’m just super grateful and honoured to be part of this.”

Her doll wears pink shorts and a white jersey, rather than Aussie gold, but it does feature her famous black gloves as well as her earrings and hairstyle. Fowler said it was “really cool” to see the finished product.

“I really wanted to have it replicate a moment in my life when I felt really strong and confident in myself, and that moment for me was during the World Cup last year,” she said. “All the little details were stuff that I thought of during that time, and the boots are so accurate to how they look in real life.”

“I wanted to have my Barbie doll replicate when I feel my most confident self, and that for me is when I’m on the pitch playing football. During the design process, it was really cool working with the team to ensure my look was brought to life in my Barbie. Being a positive influence, and seeing young girls recreate my look has been so special, and to finally hold my doll and see her wear my bubble braid, my gloves and even my boots, made my Barbie doll unique and connected to me.”

Here is the full list of athletes are being honoured as a Barbie Doll:

Mary Fowler (Australia): Football Player Venus Williams (United States): Tennis Player Christine Sinclair (Canada): Soccer Player Estelle Mossely (France): Boxer Alexa Moreno (Mexico): Gymnast Rebecca Andrade (Brazil): Gymnast Susan Rodriguez (Spain): Paratriathlon Athlete Federica Pellegrini (Italy): Swimmer Ewa Swoboda (Poland): Track and Field Sprinter

“I look at them and I wouldn’t associate myself at that same level but it’s just amazing to have that kind of recognition,” Fowler said. “It made me really reflect on myself as a person and myself as an athlete and I just feel super honoured to be alongside them and hopefully inspire other girls to want to do the same.”

You can purchase the You Can Be Anything Sports Barbie Dolls at Big W. All Soccer Dolls and Sports Dolls will retail for $21.

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