A Billie Jean King barbie doll has been added to Mattel's lineup.
King, 76, was the world's top female tennis player in 1966 and the winner of 39 Grand Slam titles in women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Her doll is one in a line modeled after real women icons, including artist Frida Kahlo, astronaut Sally Ride and civil rights hero Rosa Parks.
The latest set includes jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, King and nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.
"I'm so thrilled to be part of the Barbie family now. And you know, I'm also with Ella Fitzgerald, who is being released and who was a real 'shero' of mine," King told People on Thursday.
"And then also, Florence Nightingale who I always admired as a child. I read her story because I love history."
She adds, "It's really exciting as each one comes out and you know, it's all about imagining the possibilities for your life, especially for the young ones. They can dream, they can imagine when they have their Barbie. Hopefully, it helps them to think about all the possibilities in their life — that they can be anything they want to be and that it'll help them decide how to define their lives and not be defined by others. So, I think it's fantastic."
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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