Nationwide — Tennis superstar Venus Williams is being honored with a Barbie Inspiring Women doll that celebrates all of her Grand Slam victories and her fight for gender equality in sports. The collectible reflects her 2007 Wimbledon triumph, where she made history on and off the court.
According to ABC News, the doll features Williams in her all-white Wimbledon outfit, paired with a green gem necklace, wristband, racket, and tennis ball. The look is a direct nod to the moment she won the tournament as the first woman to receive equal prize money.
Williams’s journey toward that milestone began years earlier. In 2005, she met with French Open and Wimbledon officials to demand equal pay for female players. She later wrote in The Times that the tournaments were on the “wrong side of history,” urging them to make change.
Her advocacy led to a breakthrough in 2007, when both tournaments awarded equal prize money to men and women. Williams’s Wimbledon victory that year became symbolic of progress, marking her as a champion far beyond tennis.
Barbie said in a statement that Williams’s courage and persistence continue to inspire people worldwide, aligning with the brand’s mission of empowering future generations. “Just as Barbie remains dedicated to inspiring limitless possibilities, Venus’s bravery and commitment to gender equality continues to inspire people around the world – both in sports and beyond,” the statement read.
The Venus Williams Barbie is available for purchase on Amazon
This isn’t Williams’s first collaboration with Barbie. In May, she was among nine female athletes honored with dolls to celebrate the brand’s 65th anniversary. Reflecting on the recognition, Williams said she has always been driven to “shatter glass ceilings” and was proud to inspire young girls to keep believing in their dreams.