Victoria Principal Is Looking 'Spectacular' at 73 & Enjoying Life in Her Ranch after 2 Marriages
- Victoria Principal recently opened up about her time as Pam Ewing on "Dallas."
- Over the years, Principal has been open about her love life and passions in life.
- The actress, who still looks stunning in her 70s, has now gone back to her early passions in life.
Victoria Principal was born on January 3, 1950, in Fukuoka, Japan, to parents Sergeant Major Vincent and Ree Principal. She grew to become an exceptional actress who starred in the drama series "Dallas."
The actress played Pam Ewing, a favorite character among fans. Principal developed the role of Ewing and played it from the start for nine years. The actress left the show when her character died in a car crash.
"Dallas" premiered as a miniseries in April 1978 and remained on air until 1991. Principal said when she joined the series, she had already fallen in love with the show. She described the series as "incredibly special" and said that she couldn't imagine not being Ewing.
Principal said "Dallas" was remarkable for its first five years but soon started declining when writers left the show because they felt they weren't given fair deals. The departure of writers led to a decline in good writing and wonderful plots. So, after two more years, in 1987, the actress decided to leave.
The movie star wanted a definitive ending, so her character died while pregnant in a car accident that led to a powerful explosion. After Principal left, "Dallas" went on for five more seasons before its ending. Over the years, Principal has reflected on her time on "Dallas."
She recently said she always knew "Dallas" would be a hit series. She also revealed that her favorite episode of the series is "Mastectomy," a two-part episode. The actress added that the question most fans have asked her over the years is, "What was it like kissing Patrick Duffy?" To which she answered, "Excellent!"
Principal said she doesn't take care of the animals as part of a charitable organization, but as something she has dreamt of doing all her life.
After Principal left "Dallas," she starred in numerous other productions such as "Vigilante Force," "Naked Lie," "Blind Witness," and "Pleasure Palace." Some of the movies she played in were produced by her production company. The actress also wrote four books, with her first book, "The Body Principal," being released in 1983.
By the time the actress turned 50, she had made the decision to leave Hollywood and focus on the skincare company, "Principal Secret," which she launched in 1991. Principal's personal life was also as eventful as her career. She has publicly dated three men and married two of them.
She first dated Christopher Skinner, an aspiring actor, who was seven years her junior. Skinner and Principal got married in 1978 after three dates and divorced in 1980 after 20 months of marriage. The actress said Skinner couldn't stand her 75-hour-week job.
The "Earthquake" star then dated Andy Gibb from 1981. The two lived and worked together but broke up in 1982 because Gibb had problems with drugs. Principal asked Gibb to choose between her and drugs, and when he couldn't, they broke up. However, the actress maintained that Gibb would remain eternally dear to her.
Andy Gibb and Victoria Principal pose for a portrait in Los Angeles, California, in 1981 | Source: Getty Images
Studio portrait of Andy Gibb in the United Kingdom on January 1, 1978 | Source: Getty Images
In 1981, while dating Gibb, the actress opened up about the struggle to sustain a traditional marriage while having a successful career, which ultimately led to the demise of her marriage to Skinner. She admitted that she didn't want to give up her career in favor of the life of a homemaker that Skinner wanted of her.
She also confessed that though she wanted to have a husband and kids, she also desired wealth and success and was often attracted to successful men with drive and ambition.
Victoria Principal at the Carousel of Hope Ball for the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes on October 28, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Victoria Principal and Harry Glassman at the premiere of "The General's Daughter" in Los Angeles, California on June 15, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
After Gibb and Principal parted ways, the actress dated Harry Glassman, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. Glassman was previously married to Jane, and the pair had two kids, Andrew and Brooke. Principal and Glassman's relationship blossomed, and they eventually got married in June 1985.
Victoria Principal and Harry Glassman at the Cineplex Odeon Century Plaza Cinema in California on June 27, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Principal and Glassman didn't have kids together. The actress later cleared rumors that suggested vanity played a role in that. She clarified that the reason she didn't have children was because she couldn't have kids.
She referred to her inability to have kids as a "loss" but said that she was happy to be a stepmom to Glassman's two kids with his ex-wife. Their marriage lasted 21 years before it ended in divorce. Principal has not remarried since.
These days, the actress still looks glamorous. She stepped away from "Principal Secret" in 2019, but she still refers to caring for people's skin as one of her passions. She also enjoys engaging in one of her older passions, which keeps her active, happy, and busy.
Principal's Passion for Animals
Principal has owned a ranch outside Los Angeles since 2012 and it is home to the animals she rescues and rehabilitates. The actress revealed on a Facebook post that she doesn't remember her life without animals. "From a very early age I would find abandoned animals and bring them home," she added.
The movie star has been taking care of animals that have been neglected and abused. She shares pictures of these animals on social media, showing her passion for caring for them and acknowledging that these animals "need medical care, patience and love to recover physically, emotionally and in spirit."
Principal said she doesn't take care of the animals as part of a charitable organization, but as something she has dreamt of doing all her life. These animals live the rest of their lives with her, something that fills her with so much joy.
When families come to visit her ranch, she tells them stories of each rescue. Apart from rescuing animals, the 73-year-old is also focused on other projects, including giving assistance to children in hospitals and providing support to areas hit by tragedies such as floods and wildfires.
Principal also looks stunning in her 70s. She recently shared a picture of her beautiful self on Instagram as she let her fans know about her recent interview. Fans said the actress looked "spectacular" and that she was still a "stunner." A fan also called Principal a "pretty woman."
Fan comments a post dated September 24, 2023 | Source: Instagram.com/victoriaprincipalofficial/
Principal is thrilled with her life right now. Of her stint in "Dallas," she says, "Gratitude is the heart’s memory." And while she has no plans of returning to acting, she will "never say never," recognizing that life sometimes surprises with unexpected gifts.