German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who spends her days in the male-dominated world of politics, is joining the ranks of iconic women by being recreated as a Barbie doll, the manufacturer Mattel announced Monday.
A specially produced honorary Barbie has been made in the chancellor's likeness, Mattel spokeswoman Stephanie Wegener said at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, dpa reported.
"You can argue about politics, but the fact that we have a female chancellor in Germany is surely something special in the eyes of other countries," Wegener said.
The Merkel Barbie's outfit consists of a black trouser suit. She sports the chancellor's trademark medium-length brunette hairstyle, and stands behind a lectern.
Merkel was pleased to be recreated as a so-called Honour Barbie, according to Wegener.
Mattel manufactures individual dolls in special circumstances to honour successful and exemplary women.
The last woman to be honoured with her own Barbie doll was US talkshow host Oprah Winfrey, one and a half years ago.
Barbie, who is five years younger than the German chancellor, has had 108 careers spanning 50 years, ranging from flight attendant to presidential candidate.
The doll is sold in a variety of ethnic versions including white, Hispanic and African-American.