| Order of National Heroes | |
| Awarded By: | President of Barbados |
| Type: | National Honour |
| Criteria: | At the pleasure of the president with the recommendation of the prime minister |
| Status: | Currently constituted |
| Founder: | Parliament of Barbados |
| Head Title: | Chancellor |
| Head: | Sandra Mason |
| Head2 Title: | Secretary |
| Head2: | Vacant |
| Classes: | Member (National Hero) |
| First Induction: | 1998 |
| Last Induction: | 2021 |
| Total: | 11 |
| Higher: | None |
| Lower: | Order of Freedom of Barbados |
The Order of National Heroes is the supreme honour within the national honours system of Barbados and was established by the Order of National Heroes Act 1998 by the Parliament of Barbados.[1] Members are referred to as National Heroes, and are accorded the style "The Right Excellent". The Order recognises the most prominent figures in Barbados' history. As of June 2024, Sir Garfield Sobers and Rihanna are the only two living persons conferred with the title.
The first National Heroes Day was celebrated on 28 April 1998, the centenary of the birth of Grantley Adams.[2] On the same day, Trafalgar Square was renamed National Heroes Square.[3]
Eleven people have been created National Heroes of Barbados to date, of which ten were nominated by Prime Minister Owen Arthur and formally appointed by the Governor General in 1998, in accordance with the Act.[3] [4] Of the original ten, only Sir Garfield Sobers is alive; Sarah Ann Gill was the only woman to be created a National Hero until the singer and businesswoman Rihanna was honoured in November 2021.[5]
The Barbados National Heroes Gallery, located in the Museum of Parliament, traces the lives and contributions made by the National Heroes.
In 2021, the Government started a search for new National Heroes. Citizens were encouraged to nominate people who they thought qualified for the high honour. The government of Barbados ultimately chose singer Rihanna for this honour and duly awarded her the title of National Hero on the first day of the Barbadian republic.[6]
The president, being the legal successor to the governor-general, adopted the latter's role and duties of appointing national heroes after Barbados became a republic in 2021.