From starring as Pamela Barnes Ewing in the legendary TV series *Dallas* to forging a successful path as a businesswoman, victoria principal’s story is fascinating. She became a household name during her nine seasons on the show. But Principal surprised many by stepping away from acting at the height of her *Dallas* fame to chase other ambitions.
Turns out, victoria principal has an impressive business acumen and a heart dedicated to helping animals and the environment. So let’s dive into the multifaceted world of Victoria Principal – the actress, producer, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Table of Contents:
- Early Life and Career Beginnings
- Principal’s Breakthrough: Dallas (Classic Series)
- Life Beyond Acting: Victoria’s Transformation into a Businesswoman
- Principal’s Philanthropic Focus on Animals and Environment
- Victoria Principal’s Continuing Legacy
- FAQs About victoria principal
- Conclusion
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Vicki Ree Principal, later victoria principal, was born on January 3, 1950, in Fukuoka, Japan. Her father, Victor Rocco Principal, served in the US Air Force. Because of this, Victoria’s childhood was full of travel, living in various places including London, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Georgia. She graduated high school in London, England. That experience no doubt shaped her global outlook and prepared her for the nomadic life of an actress.
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean: Victoria’s Acting Debut
At 19, a car crash led victoria principal to move to Los Angeles, California. While there, she appeared in TV commercials and studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Her official film debut was in 1972’s “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,” working alongside legendary actor Paul Newman. The film was a commercial success and garnered Victoria a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.
Early in her career, Victoria principal acted in other notable TV movies and films including “The Naked Ape” (1973) and “Earthquake” (1974). While working as an actress, she felt dissatisfied. Disillusioned with the lack of quality roles, Victoria Principal took a step back from acting in 1975 and made a significant career shift. For several years, she carved out a successful path as a talent and booking agent. It was a move many at the time found baffling, but it highlighted her drive and ambition. This revealed that her intelligence and desire to have more control over her destiny were part of Victoria Principal’s makeup from the get-go.
Principal’s Breakthrough: Dallas (Classic Series)
Although pursuing law school, Principal continued accepting smaller roles to financially support herself. Her break came when renowned producer Aaron Spelling approached her for a part in his new TV Series *Fantasy Island* (1977). But the initial *Fantasy Island* pilot episode was all that she signed on to. Reportedly, she aimed to focus on her law school plans.
Pamela Barnes Ewing – A Role That Shaped a Decade
Fortunately for fans, victoria principal’s law school goals changed when she landed an audition for a new series called *Dallas*. After securing the role of Pamela Barnes Ewing on the show, her focus shifted. The role of the moral and kind-hearted Pamela Barnes Ewing, Bobby Ewing’s wife on the CBS hit drama *Dallas*, changed the course of Victoria’s life.
*Dallas* (Classic Series), which debuted in 1978, followed the lives of the powerful Ewing family and their business dealings in the oil industry. This primetime soap opera was different from others in its slicker look, focusing on adult characters, complex relationships, and boardroom drama in addition to typical soap opera family intrigue.
The chemistry between Victoria Principal and Patrick Duffy, who played her on-screen husband, contributed heavily to the success of the show. “Pam and Bobby” became a beloved TV couple. Victoria brought Pamela Barnes Ewing to life as a powerful woman with agency in a time when women on television were more often stereotypical housewives or simply love interests. *Dallas* quickly gained popularity and achieved worldwide acclaim, reaching the top of television program ratings for much of its 14 seasons. The drama on Southfork Ranch drew viewers into the intricate world of family feuds, corporate power plays, and romance.
Life Beyond Acting: Victoria’s Transformation into a Businesswoman
Victoria Principal’s drive and ambition didn’t end with her acting career. While still starring on *Dallas*, she turned to writing in 1983 and published her first book, *The Body Principal*. It centered on health, beauty, and fitness, based on her own experiences and research.
Principal Secret: Skincare and Beauty Empire
Then, in 1989, Victoria Principal made a game-changing move. Building upon her passion for natural beauty products, she founded a self-named skincare company called Principal Secret. The line targeted a more mature clientele with formulations developed to address skin concerns that come with aging.
Her move to a more business-focused career mirrored her agenting years, yet this time she was the brand. What started with her creating and promoting anti-aging creams from her kitchen table exploded into a massive empire over the following two decades. Her vision, dedication to product quality, and brilliant marketing sense made it wildly successful. Principal Secret expanded to offer cosmetics, fragrance, and hair care, earning reported profits exceeding $1.5 billion during her years of ownership.
This level of achievement propelled Victoria Principal beyond “former Dallas star.” She joined an elite club of actresses who transitioned into successful moguls. To stay up to date with more exciting celebrity news like this, be sure to check out the latest juicy tidbits by signing up to PEOPLE’s daily free newsletter. But Victoria wasn’t finished yet, not even close.
Principal’s Philanthropic Focus on Animals and Environment
Victoria Principal has used her success for good. She founded the Victoria Principal Foundation for Thoughtful Existence. In a 2012 interview with The Huffington Post, Victoria voiced a concern about the environment.
She said, “My deepest concern is for the planet and every living thing on it.” “Without a healthy planet, education won’t matter, hunger won’t matter, and science won’t matter because we will not survive.”
Victoria Principal’s Rescue Ranch
Always an animal lover, in 2006 Victoria Principal purchased a 650-acre rescue ranch in California. Here she rehabilitates abused and neglected animals. Later she sold a portion of her highly lucrative skincare and beauty company, Principal Secret, to focus more of her time and effort on environmental preservation. In 2019, she made the move to completely divest herself of the business, selling the remainder of the company to the beauty giants Guthy-Renker for a cool nine-figure sum (between $100 to $200 million).
Principal said in a press release about the sale: “Creating Principal Secret has been one of my life’s greatest joys. I am so proud of what we accomplished. It’s now the perfect time for me to step aside and leave the company in the capable hands of Guthy-Renker.”
Victoria Principal’s Continuing Legacy
While she has been largely out of the public eye for several years now, the impact Victoria Principal made is undeniable. Throughout her long career, she published four books in total and appeared in numerous TV movies after leaving *Dallas*. Her characters included leading roles in *Blind Witness* (1989), *Naked Lie* (1989), *Sparks: The Price of Passion* (1990), and *Don’t Touch My Daughter* (1991), as well as appearing in a couple of episodes of the animated series *Family Guy* (1999).
Though some viewers probably still mostly remember her *Dallas* years, she’s much more than just “the actress from that show.” Victoria Principal became a beauty icon and then built one of the largest independent skincare companies of all time.
FAQs About victoria principal
What happened to victoria principal?
Victoria Principal is very much alive. While she’s now 74, she’s still looking great. Since the early 2000s, she has stepped out of the limelight to pursue a different passion — philanthropy focused on animal rescue and environmental preservation. This included establishing the Victoria Principal Foundation for Thoughtful Existence.
What happened with Victoria Principal and Andy Gibb?
Victoria Principal and British singer, Andy Gibb, started a relationship after meeting on *The John Davidson Show* in 1981. The pair reportedly bonded over a mutual love of Shetland ponies. While many thought they would marry, they instead parted ways in 1982 due to Gibb’s issues with addiction.
How old was Victoria Principal when she dated Andy Gibb?
When their romance began in 1981, Victoria Principal was 31 and Andy Gibb was 24. Though only seven years separated them, Andy’s struggling career, increasing addiction issues, and reported infidelity during their short-lived relationship resulted in their parting ways. Sadly, Andy Gibb died at the young age of 30 in 1988 from heart inflammation brought on by a cocaine overdose. Principal attended the memorial service but avoided contact with the press.
Is Victoria Principal Hispanic?
While victoria principal has played some Latina characters during her acting career, including Maria Elena in “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,” she is not Hispanic. She is of American, English, and Italian descent.
Conclusion
Victoria Principal’s journey from *Dallas* star to entrepreneur and philanthropist is amazing. This shows that her strength and ambition were crucial elements throughout her multifaceted life. After becoming a TV icon in one of the most popular shows of a decade, victoria principal built a business and skincare empire with an estimated personal net worth of $350 million. Then, at an age when most would start to relax, she sold that empire to focus her wealth and energy on creating a rescue ranch for animals and giving to environmental causes.
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