Josefina Montoya (doll)
The Josefina Montoya doll was released in 1997 and updated in Fall 2014 with BeForever. A Special Edition version was released for the 35th anniversary in 2021. The Classic version was re-released in 2024, and the BeForever version was retired in 2025.
- Face Mold: Josefina Mold (debut)
- Skin: Medium
- Hair: Very dark brown with auburn highlights, straight, no bangs, no part
- Josefina comes with her hair braided back.
- Eyes: Dark Brown
- Brows: Feathered
- Other: Josefina has permanent gold hoop earrings in each ear.
Meet Outfit
Classic Edition
Josefina's meet outfit reflects daily fashion on a Mexican rancho in 1824; women wore less restrictive clothing than what was worn in white American fashion of the time. Casual clothing consisted of long blouses with simple skirts and sashes. The outfit shows influences from Native people of the area as well.
After the launch of BeForever, the set was sold (minus hair accessories) as Josefina's Classic Outfit for $36.
Camisa
White camisa (blouse) with short puffed sleeves and a gathered neckline. Small white trim at neckline and sleeves. Velcros up the back. The camisa comes down to about the knees.
Skirt
Maroon skirt with black flower print; waistband and white trim sewn to the bottom on a white fabric strip. Velcros near the waistband.
Sash
Brown woven sash with darker brown stripes. Braided at the ends. Worn around the waist over the skirt.
Drawers
White knee-length drawers with elastic at the back and a V panel at the front.
Moccasins
Brown soft leather moccasins that lace up and tie in the front. The laces were originally a leather string, but changed into a more shoelace-like string in the Mattel years. Her moccasins were originally real leather and were changed to faux leather by 2005.
Hair Ribbon
1/4" wide dark turquoise ribbon. Is tied around the bottom of Josefina's braid.
Hair Flowers
Three faux yellow primroses on a shared plastic stem.
BeForever Version
The BeForever Outfit for Josefina was available alone for $36 starting in 2014 and retired as a separately available purchase in 2018. Unlike most BeForever revisions, the only major changes in the outfit were to the skirt and belt; otherwise the components are identical. The BeForever version of Josefina was retired in August 2025.
Camisa
White camisa blouse; identical to to the Classic one.
Skirt
Bright red calf length skirt. Skirt has blue flower print, three bright blue stripes and two orange stripes with blue flowers. White scalloped trim sewn to the bottom on a white fabric strip to simulate an underpetticoat. Velcros at the waistband.
Belt
Bright royal blue woven belt. Darker blue horizontal stripes. Braided at the ends. Worn around the waist over the skirt.
Drawers
White knee-length drawers; identical to to the Classic pair.
Moccasins
Light brown faux leather moccasins with white lining. Lace up and tie in the front.
Hair Ribbon
1/4" wide dark blue ribbon that comes tied around the bottom of Josefina's braid.
Hair Flowers
Three faux yellow primroses on a shared plastic stem; identical to the Classic flowers.
Meet Accessories
Josefina's accessories were not dramatically changed even with the BeForever release. The only change to the accessories was in 2007 when her rebozo switched from a diamond pattern to the current striped pattern. In early 2024, her separate accessory set retired; it was then only available for purchase with the 2024 rerelease doll.
Rebozo
A 34" long (not including fringe) by 5" wide rebozo. First edition has a subtle diamond pattern on main body, while current edition has multicolored stripes. Comes with a pamphlet discussing three other ways to wear the rebozo--wrapped around the head to cover from the sun, tied around one shoulder to carry items, and wrapped and tied around the upper body.
It is shown wrapped loosely around Josefina's arms on the cover of Meet Josefina.
Necklace
A gold cross-shaped pendant on a gold chain with a faux-garnet stone in the center. Older versions close with a latch clasp, while BeForever and later versions close with interlocking hearts.
Leather Pouch
A sewn leather pouch that closes with a button and leather loop. It is designed to attach to the belt. The pouch was later changed to faux leather.
Handkerchief
A white sheer handkerchief that has a Mexican style embroidered flower.
Jola Coin
A replica of a copper jola (HOH-la) coin. The pamphlet that discusses the rebozo also discusses the jola as a coin of Mexico. Newer versions have "COPY" written in much bigger letters on the back of the coin.
2020 Version
With BeForever in 2014, Josefina was sold with Sunlight and Shadows. Starting in 2020, Josefina was instead sold with Josefina: Sunlight and Shadows, which is an abridged version with added illustrations.
When her classic version was re-released in 2024, that doll was once again sold with Meet Josefina. The BeForever version of Josefina retired in 2025, but her abridged book remains available for separate purchase.
35th Anniversary Edition
For American Girl's 35th Anniversary, Josefina was rereleased as a limited edition bundle. The bundle includes the doll in the Classic Meet Outfit, current meet accessories, the first edition parchment style of Meet Josefina and an older-style box (modified with visibility window) for a total cost of $150. This bundle was sold out and retired by late July 2021.
Unlike standard dolls sold at this time, Josefina has neck strings. The skirt has the American Girl oval plastic logo tag on the right front waistband. The rebozo is the newer style with stripes rather than diamonds. The original skirt's lace trim has a triangular design, but the new trim has two eyelet rows. Like her BeForever version, Josefina has a faux leather pouch and moccasins, and her necklace closes with an interlocking heart clasp.
The box has "The American Girls Collection" written in white text with an illustration of Josefina centered below it. The words "Josefina Montoya's 35th Anniversary Collection" are written near the bottom of the box.
One-of-a-Kind Edition
A one-of-a-kind Josefina, designed by Carly Cushnie of Harlem's Fashion Row, was auctioned on eBay from September 23 to 26th, 2021, with all proceeds donated to Girls Who Code. The auction initial starting price was $300 and final auction price was $2,024.
The doll was dressed in a red and white floral jumpsuit, her garnet necklace, and the sandals from the World Traveler in Italy outfit.
In coordination with the one-of-a-kind dolls, American Girl released the American Girl Collector Tote, which has an illustration of the first six historical characters in their modern outfits.
2024 Re-Release
A similar version to the 35th anniversary version was released in May 2024 for a cost of $150. In June 2024, the cost increased to $160, and in 2025, the cost increased to $175. This version does not have neck strings, and it sold out in March 2026.
Like the anniversary version, this doll comes in a maroon box with a visibility window and "The American Girls Collection" written in white text. However, unlike the anniversary version, the box has a stock image of the doll and book in the center. An illustration of Josefina is in the bottom left corner, and "Josefina Montoya Doll, Book, and Accessories" is written in white text at the bottom.
40th Anniversary Edition
A similar version to the previous classic re-releases was made available for preorder in early April 2026; the dolls shipped on May 1. Retail cost remained $175. The packaging does not have any 40th anniversary branding on it. Like the previous re-release, these dolls have maroon packaging reminiscent of 1990s American Girl boxes with the title "The American Girls Collection" on them. However, these boxes now have a unique mark next to the collection title that matches the doll's meet outfit pattern; Josefina's box has small flowers.
The matching outfit for children was available:
- Camisa: $32
- Skirt and Sash: $45
- Rebozo: $36
- Petticoat: $20
- Garnet Necklace: $18
The clothes were phased out around 2000.
A dress inspired by Josefina's BeForever Meet Outfit, the Desert Flower Dress, was available for $52 and retired in 2017.
In 2025, American Girl began offering outfit sets for children and adults that are inspired by the historical characters in collaboration with Posh Peanut. These include t-shirts, dresses, and sweatshirts with Josefina's likeness and meet outfit prints.
In May 2026, American Girl and Tea Collection released clothing for children that is based on the original six historical characters. Some of the outfits coordinate with the Modern Era Collection versions of the dolls, and some sets use the meet outfit prints for both Josefina Montoya dolls. The Bow Tee and Best Friends Tee have a retail cost of $35, the Tiered Skort has a retail cost of $45, and the Strappy Dress has a retail cost of $59.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Bow Tee with a bow in Josefina's meet dress print.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Best Friends Tee with modern Josefina.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Tiered Skort in Josefina's meet skirt print.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Strappy Dress with modern Josefina.
Dress Like Your Doll: Hill House Home
In May 2026, American Girl and Hill House Home released clothing for children and adults based on the original six historical characters.
Pre-Mattel Differences
Specific differences between the Pre-Mattel and Mattel versions of the doll are minimal, likely because Josefina was the last Historical Character released before the transition.
Trivia
- Josefina was the first doll released with her face mold and feathered eyebrows.
- Josefina is the only transitional BeForever character who did not have her meet accessories updated.