Victoria Principal is a very much alive and well person, even though you may not have heard of her recently. She may have left the spotlight behind, but she left behind a tremendous legacy in the entertainment business and beyond. Let’s examine this amazing woman’s life in more detail.
Victoria Principal is the oldest child of Bertha Ree and Victor R. Principal. She was born in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 3, 1950. Victoria, whose father served in the American Air Force, was raised in a variety of places while having Italian and southern American ancestry. Her lifestyle was nomadic, having been raised in London, Florida, and Puerto Rico.
Victoria’s love for theater and performing arts was sparked by her first acting experience in a commercial when she was just five years old. This experience would go on to influence her destiny. She attended seventeen different schools, but her resolve never wavered. Victoria had originally intended to attend Miami-Dade Community College to study chiropractic medicine, but she changed her mind and traveled to New York City to pursue her true passions, modeling and acting.
Victoria continued pursuing her goals and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before moving to Los Angeles in 1971. But after playing the Mexican mistress in The Lives and Times of Judge Roy Bean, her career took a turn for the worst. She briefly stopped acting out of frustration and spent several years working as an agent.
However, Victoria’s passion for performing was too great to ignore. Unexpectedly, she received an opportunity to appear on the television program Fantasy Island in exchange for paying for her law school tuition. Ultimately, this chance brought her the most famous role to date: Pam Ewing in the critically acclaimed CBS primetime drama, Dallas.
Dallas, a gripping tale of forbidden love between Pam and Bobby Ewing, the son of a wealthy oilman in Texas, won over millions of hearts. Their bond, which faced challenges equivalent to those faced by Romeo and Juliet, endured innumerable storms, rendering it one of the most cherished soap opera romances. Dallas went on to take home four Emmys in the end.
Victoria made the tough choice to leave Dallas after nine seasons. She founded Victoria Principal Productions, her own production firm, since she wanted to take a fresh start. She also started her own business in the cosmetics industry and wrote books on health and beauty. Victoria reflected on her time as Pam and remarked, “I gained a lot of knowledge from playing her. She was gutsy in standing up for what she believed in and possessed inherent goodness. To play her was a real honor.
Victoria decided to give up acting in 2001 and sell her lucrative company so she could spend her days at her ranch, where she helps save and heal animals. Her passion for animals inspired her to start The Victoria Principal Foundation for Thoughtful Existence, a testament to her commitment to changing the world.
Victoria is still active on Instagram, where she delights her admirers with pictures of her dogs, goats, and horses that she has rescued. Even if her name may have slipped from the public view, her legacy endures because of her generosity and compassion, which still serve as an inspiration to many.
Thus, keep Victoria Principal in mind the next time you consider lost stars. A remarkable woman who made a lasting impression on both the entertainment industry and society at large.
