A True I-“Doll”: Chimpanzee Expert Now Has Her Own Barbie Doll

The world’s leading expert on chimpanzees, Jane Goodall, now has an iconic Barbie doll made in her image as part of the American multinational toy manufacturer’s latest series aimed at showcasing inspiring women.

“I hope that Barbie, with her little binoculars and notebooks, will encourage children to go out in the environment and explore,” says the 88-year-old conservationist and activist. “Once little children get out into nature, they become fascinated, and then they want to learn. And when you do that, then you want to protect it.”

Aside from the binoculars, the doll comes with a miniature version of David Greybeard, Goodall’s favorite chimp. Jane Goodall is the latest inspiring woman to be immortalized as a Barbie doll, following tennis star Naomi Osaka, renowned poet Maya Angelou, and COVID-19 vaccine developer Sarah Gilbert. Mattel plans on releasing an “eco-leadership team” series of dolls – made from recycled plastic and certified as carbon neutral – with a conservation scientist, a chief sustainability officer, an environmental advocate, and a renewable-energy engineer being represented.