The Celia Cruz celebrity doll depicts her as herself, a Cuban American singer and the “Queen of Salsa”.  She is one of the all-time best selling artists of Latin music.  The Black Label Celia Cruz Barbie doll was released by Mattel on September 12, 2023 as part of their Barbie® Inspiring Women™ Series and is a mass marketed production version of the one of a kind doll released of Cruz in 2021 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The doll was designed by Carlyle Nuera and retailed for $35.

Queen of Salsa
C E L I A C R U Z
Singer, Performer
1925 – 2003
“When opportunity presents itself, grab it. Hold on tight and don’t let go.” -Celia Cruz

Barbie® recognizes all female role models. The Inspiring Women™ Series pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time; courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than every before.
From the time she was a young girl living in Havana, Cuba, Celia Cruz displayed a natural talent for singing. At one time she aspired to be a teacher, but left teaching college to attend the Havana’s National Conservatory of Music. In 1950, Celia became the lead singer of the highly popular orchestra La Sonora Matancera and achieved recognition through her appearances on radio, TV, and performing at the famed Tropicana Night Club. She later went on to marry the band’s trumpet player, her beloved Pedro Knight. In 1959, while touring with the band in Mexico, the Cuban Revolution broke out, causing her and Pedro to seek exile in the United Sates where they later became citizens.
Celia joined the New York-based Tito Puente Orchestra; she and the band rose to fame with their energizing Afro-Cuban salsa music and lively performances. She was adored by her fans for her incredible voice, elaborate costumes, and her crowd-pleasing, signature phrase, “¡Azucari!” Vest known as “la Reina de la Salsa”(The Queen of Salsa), her award winning career spanned over 60 years resulting in a legacy that includes 74 albums and 23 gold records. She received the President’s National Medal of Arts award in addition to a lifetime achievement honors from the music industry. Celia celebrated her heritage and culture through salsa music and was one of the very few women at that time to succeed in doing so.
Girls need more role models like Celia Cruz, because imagining they can be anything is just the beginning. Actually seeing that they can makes all the difference.

SKU#: HJX31

Here is a Youtube video of Celia Cruz at 86 years old winning a Latin Grammy in 2002 for best Salsa album “La Negra Tiene Tumbao”

Another Youtube video from 1967 Mexican Television.  Around the 1:15 spot you can see her dancing in her signature heelless shoes.