Victoria Principal, although she may not be familiar to you, is a very much alive and well individual. Despite stepping out of the spotlight, she left a huge legacy in the entertainment industry and beyond. Let’s take a closer look at this incredible woman’s life.
The eldest child of Bertha Ree and Victor R. Principal is Victoria. On January 3, 1950, in Fukuoka, Japan, she was born. Victoria, whose father was in the American Air Force, was raised in several different locations despite her southern American and Italian origins. Her upbringing took place in London, Florida, and Puerto Rico, resulting in her restless existence.
At the age of five, Victoria had her first acting gig in a commercial, which ignited her passion for theater and the arts. Her future would be impacted by this encounter. Despite attending seventeen different schools, she never wavered in her resolve. Victoria moved to New York City to pursue her real hobbies, modeling and acting, after originally planning to attend Miami-Dade Community College to study chiropractic medicine.
After attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and persisting in the pursuit of her objectives, Victoria relocated to Los Angeles in 1971. However, her career took a bad turn after she portrayed the Mexican mistress in The Lives and Times of Judge Roy Bean. Frustrated, she stopped acting for a while and became an agent for a number of years.
But Victoria loved to perform, and her enthusiasm was too strong to ignore. She paid for her law school tuition and, unbeknownst to her, was given the chance to appear on the television show Fantasy Island. In the end, this opportunity led to her landing her biggest part to date: Pam Ewing in the highly regarded CBS primetime program Dallas.
Millions of people fell in love with Dallas, a compelling story of the forbidden love between Pam and Bobby Ewing, a wealthy oilman’s son in Texas. Their relationship, which had difficulties comparable to those experienced by Romeo and Juliet, weathered countless storms, making it one of the most beloved soap opera couples. Dallas ultimately went on to win four Emmy awards.
Victoria made the difficult decision to end her nine-season stay in Dallas. Wanting to start over, she created her own production company, Victoria Principal Productions. She authored books on health and beauty and launched her own company in the cosmetics sector. Victoria said, “I learned a lot from playing her,” as she thought back on her time as Pam. She had intrinsic kindness and had the fortitude to speak up for what she believed in. It was truly an honor to play her.
In 2001, Victoria made the decision to sell her successful acting career and give up acting in order to devote her days to helping preserve and treat animals at her ranch. Her dedication to transforming the world is demonstrated by the establishment of The Victoria Principal Foundation for Thoughtful Existence, which she founded out of her love for animals.
Victoria is still active on Instagram, where she enchants her followers with photos of her rescued horses, dogs, and goats. Even if her name may have faded from the public eye, her kindness and generosity—which continue to inspire many—ensure that her legacy lives on.
Therefore, remember Victoria Principal the next time you think about “lost stars.” a great woman who left a lasting impact on society at large and the entertainment business.
