She-Ra Joins Barbie’s Collector Line to Celebrate 40 Years of Empowerment
She-Ra joins the ranks of Barbie’s growing collector line of special-edition dolls
For ‘80s kids, chances are they grew up with She-Ra, Princess of Power. First introduced in the 1985 animated special The Secret of the Sword, She-Ra is the alter ego of Adora, He-Man’s twin sister, who was separated at birth. With the Sword of Protection, Adora transforms into She-Ra, while her horse Spirit becomes the majestic Swift Wind.
To celebrate the character’s 40th anniversary, Mattel has unveiled the She-Ra Barbie doll, part of the Barbie Signature collection. This special-edition doll features She-Ra in her iconic costume: a winged headpiece, red cape, flowing white dress, gold boots, and the Sword of Protection.
She-Ra’s Impact on Young Girls and the LGBTQ+ Community
Following the massive success of He-Man, Mattel created She-Ra to appeal to young girls and broaden the reach of their fantasy universe. The original show ran for two seasons, spawning a Christmas special and a line of merchandise that remains beloved by collectors.
Beyond merchandise, She-Ra became a role model for many young girls who were growing up and stepping into their power—in school, at home, and in the workforce. She embodied strength, compassion, and independence during a time when strong female leads were still rare in children’s media.
Photos from Barbie
She-Ra also became an icon within the LGBTQ+ community. Her vibrant costume, empowering story arc, and messages of self-discovery made her a favorite at fan conventions, drag shows, and cosplay events.
She-Ra and The Princesses of Power
In 2018, She-Ra was reimagined for a new audience in the Netflix series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. The reboot modernized the story while staying true to its core themes like friendship, justice, and protecting the voiceless.
The series earned widespread critical acclaim and several awards and ran for five seasons. It remains available to stream on Netflix.
A live-action She-Ra project is reportedly in development, though full details are still under wraps.
With the release of the She-Ra Barbie, this warrior princess joins a powerful group of Barbie Signature icons, including LeBron James, Tina Turner, Laverne Cox, and fashion designer Vera Wang. It’s a collectible that celebrates strength, legacy, and transformation across generations—one that parents may be excited to share with their own children.
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