Barbie's 'Inspiring Women Series': This 88-year-old British primatologist gets likeness immortalised. Find out how

Jane Goodall, who is a well-known primatologist and conservationist, longed to have a doll that could inspire young girls. And now, she has got a Barbie doll, which looks like her. Mattel Inc, the American toy-making company, unveiled a Barbie made from recycled plastic.

It is a part of the company's 'Inspiring Women Series'. The Barbie was revealed in recognition of Jane Goodall's groundbreaking studies of chimpanzees and her conservation efforts.

The doll shows her donning a khaki shirt and shorts, with a notebook and a pair of binoculars across her neck. You can also see a David Greybeard's replica by her side. Greybeard was the first chimpanzee to get acquainted with her as she conducted her studies and research at East Africa's Gombe National park.


The primatologist had expressed her desire to get a doll like her long before the inception of this series. She said that when she saw little girls playing with Barbies, she always thought they needed some more choices.

She also shared the thrill of partnering with Barbie and helping them encourage small children to learn something from their environment. She is proud to be able to make them feel that they can make a difference.

With this partnership, she hopes to inspire the next-generation eco-leaders, who, she further hopes, will join her in protecting the planet. She also hopes to remind them that they can be anyone they want, be anywhere they desire, be it on the field, in the lab, or at the table.

She also expressed her awe on the fact that Mattel has changed the range of dolls. Now, they have dolls of doctors and astronauts and other inspiring and relevant figures. She is thrilled that so many children will learn about her in school and will be excited to have her doll.

Goodall began her research in 1960 and observed that chimpanzees could hunt, make tools, show compassion and eat meat. She is 88 now, and even today, she feels Gombe was her dream come true.

However, she was heartbroken initially because, for four months, they would run away from her. She could not enjoy the beautiful forest until David Greybeard started trusting her. He also helped others in shedding their fears and trusting her.

According to Mattel, they are also looking forward to collaborating with her institute and Roots & Shoots, her youth service movement, to assist in teaching children about their environment.