The primetime soap Dallas is a classic favorite of mine, and I would gladly rewatch the entire series just to see Victoria Principal in action again.
Victoria’s iconic portrayal of Pamela Barnes Ewing, alongside Larry Hagman’s J. R. Ewing, was one of the key reasons to tune in to Dallas.
At 73, Victoria Principal has always been a woman of many talents, having excelled as an actress, author, producer, and skincare entrepreneur throughout her extensive career.
Her varied upbringing and constant need to adapt to new environments may shed some light on her remarkable versatility.
Victoria Ree Principal was born on January 3, 1950, in Japan, where her father, a United States Air Force Sergeant, was stationed in Fukuoka.
Her early years were spent in Japan before her family frequently relocated to different Air Force stations across the globe. She grew up in places like England, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Victoria attended 17 different schools during her elementary years, including the prestigious Royal Ballet School in England.
Her childhood is a subject of mixed accounts. According to the Daily Mail, Victoria and her mother, Ree Principal, had a tumultuous relationship, with Victoria describing her upbringing as difficult. In a 2012 interview with the Huffington Post, she reflected, “I wish I had known my childhood would end.”
However, Victoria also expressed gratitude for her upbringing, saying, “I was really lucky. My parents raised me in such a way that I never realized I was not equal.”
Victoria started working at a very young age, with her first job in a television commercial at the age of five. But her life took a different turn when she enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College in 1968, intending to study medicine and potentially become a doctor.
However, a car accident during her first year of college derailed those plans. The accident left her severely injured, requiring months of recovery, which caused her to miss significant time in school. This setback led her to change her path entirely, and she moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting.
After acting and modeling in New York and Europe, Victoria relocated to Los Angeles in 1971 in search of major film roles. She landed a role in John Huston’s western The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, starring opposite Paul Newman. Her performance garnered attention, leading to a Golden Globe nomination for Best Newcomer.
Despite her initial success, Victoria struggled to find roles she enjoyed, particularly after her second film, The Naked Ape, failed at the box office. Her confidence took a hit, and she contemplated leaving the industry.
In 1975, while filming Vigilante Force, Victoria reached a breaking point. Feeling immense pressure to maintain a perfect image, she considered leaving acting altogether and even pursued a career as a talent agent. This break allowed her to focus on something other than her appearance, and she thrived in this new role.
It was during this time that she first encountered the Dallas script. Although she had received other offers to return to acting, it wasn’t until she read the script for Dallas that she felt compelled to get back in front of the camera.
“I had quit acting to become an agent and was on my way to law school when a friend handed me the Dallas script. After reading it, I knew my life had changed. That part was mine,” Victoria recalled.
She secured the role of Pamela Barnes Ewing, and the rest is history.
Victoria’s performance as Pamela Barnes Ewing was crucial to the show’s success. At 28, she became a household name, and her character captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. During her nine years on Dallas, Victoria won two Soap Opera Digest Awards and received a Golden Globe nomination.
In recent years, she has shared behind-the-scenes stories and reflected on her working relationship with Larry Hagman, who played J. R. Ewing. She fondly remembered their on-screen chemistry, though she didn’t socialize much with her co-stars outside of work.
Victoria eventually decided to leave Dallas in 1987, despite being offered a lucrative contract that would have made her the highest-paid actress on television at the time. She felt it was time to move on and pursue other ventures.
Post-Dallas, Victoria launched her skincare line, Principal Secret, in 1984. The brand became highly successful, generating over $1.5 billion in revenue. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Victoria’s net worth is estimated at $350 million.
In 2018, Victoria announced her retirement from her skincare business to focus on her philanthropic work through The Victoria Principal Foundation for Thoughtful Existence and her animal rescue efforts.
Victoria’s personal life has been the subject of much speculation, but she has always maintained her dignity and privacy.
She has been married and divorced twice, and although she has no children of her own, she formed close bonds with her former husband’s children.
Today, at 71, Victoria remains active on social media, where she shares glimpses of her life on her ranch outside Los Angeles, where she rehabilitates animals.
Her 300,000 followers get to see her life beyond the spotlight, including occasional posts about her time on Dallas.
To me, seeing Victoria Principal today brings tears of joy. She is a true example of beauty, inside and out, with a kindness, strength, and grace that continue to inspire.