“Dallas,” the most successful primetime soap in TV history, is a show I hold dear. I could easily rewatch the entire series just to enjoy Victoria Principal’s performance.
Victoria Principal, known for her memorable role as Pamela Barnes Ewing, was one of the main reasons to watch “Dallas,” along with Larry Hagman, who played the infamous J.R. Ewing.
Now, at 74 years old, Victoria looks incredible. You’ll be amazed when you see her latest photos!
Victoria Principal, now 74, has had a diverse career as an actress, author, producer, and skincare business owner.
Her ability to succeed in many areas might be due to her childhood, which required her to adapt to different places.
Victoria was born on January 3, 1950, in Japan. Her father, a U.S. Air Force Sergeant, was stationed in Fukuoka, so Victoria spent her early months there.
As a child, Victoria and her mother moved frequently due to her father’s job. They lived in England, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, Florida, and other places.
Victoria Principal attended 17 different schools during her childhood, including the famous Royal Ballet School in England.
Her childhood experiences are a bit mixed. According to the Daily Mail, Victoria and her mother, Ree Principal, had a complicated relationship, and Victoria described her childhood as unhappy in a 2009 report. In a 2012 interview with the Huffington Post, Victoria said she wished she had known earlier that her childhood would eventually end.
However, Victoria has also said, “I was very lucky. My parents raised me in such a way that it never occurred to me that I wasn’t equal.”
Victoria Principal began working early, landing her first job in a TV commercial at just 5 years old.
In 1968, she enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College, planning to become a doctor. However, her path changed dramatically after a serious car accident just months before finishing her first year. The crash forced her to spend months in recovery, and she had to repeat her first year of college.
Deciding to change direction, Victoria moved to New York City to pursue acting. After working as an actress and model in New York and Europe, she moved to Los Angeles in 1971 to chase major film roles. She eventually landed a role in the film “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,” playing the mistress of the main character, portrayed by Paul Newman.
Victoria Principal showed she had talent early on, earning a Golden Globe nomination for best newcomer. Her rising fame meant she started getting invited to more parties, but she soon realized that many people were more interested in her fame than in being genuine friends.
After her role in “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean,” Victoria had a hard time finding satisfying roles. Her next film, “The Naked Ape,” didn’t do well, which really affected her confidence.
Victoria Principal wanted to be successful to protect herself from getting hurt. She became very cautious and guarded.
In 1974, she starred in the hit disaster film “Earthquake,” which did really well at the box office. However, while filming “Vigilante Force” in 1975, Victoria felt overwhelmed and collapsed under the pressure of maintaining a perfect image. She admitted that she was so unhappy that she didn’t want to continue living.
Victoria decided to step away from acting and study law. Between 1975 and 1977, she worked as a talent agent, which gave her relief from the constant focus on her looks and body. As an agent, she was valued for her skills and personality.
While working as an agent, Victoria came across the script for the TV series “Dallas.” She was intrigued and knew she wanted the role. She called the casting director and, in a surprising twist, sent herself in for the audition.
Victoria ended up landing the role of Pamela Barnes Ewing, and it became a defining moment in her career.
Victoria Principal knew that “Dallas” was going to be a big success. She loved the show and the role of Pamela Barnes Ewing from the moment she read the script. She felt like she was meant to play that part.
Victoria used her knowledge of the industry to negotiate her own contract with CBS. This gave her the freedom to work on other projects while “Dallas” became a global hit. She was the only cast member who did commercials, acted in TV movies, and wrote books, all while maintaining control over her own image.
Victoria took charge of her career and made sure that no one else controlled her.
In 1978, the TV show *Dallas* premiered and quickly became one of the most popular TV dramas ever. It was so popular that it’s hard for younger people today to grasp just how big of a deal it was worldwide.
The show focused on the Ewings, a rich Texas family involved in oil and cattle ranching.
Victoria Principal, who was 28 when the show started, played a big part in its success. As Pamela Barnes Ewing, the gorgeous wife of Bobby Ewing and sister-in-law to JR Ewing, she became a major crush for many fans of that generation.
During her nine years on *Dallas*, Victoria Principal was nominated for a Golden Globe and two Soap Opera Digest Awards.
Recently, she has shared stories from her time on the show and talked about working with Larry Hagman, who played the iconic character JR Ewing.
Victoria mentioned that working with Larry was always enjoyable. He was a generous actor who would discuss how to make their scenes even better before filming them.
Victoria Principal wasn’t very close with her *Dallas* castmates.
She explained that while they did talk on the phone, they didn’t often hang out together. They had different lives: Patrick, Steve, Larry, and Linda were all married with children, while Victoria was single. Their lifestyles were just too different.
Victoria left *Dallas* in 1987 for a few reasons. She felt that staying on the show longer would make it hard for her to be seen as more than just her character, Pam Ewing. She wanted to avoid being typecast and to explore other opportunities.
Victoria Principal, now 71, has always been in the spotlight, but she’s also made a name for herself off-screen. After marrying plastic surgeon Dr. Harry Glassman, rumors suggested he might have helped her maintain her youthful appearance. However, in a 2007 interview, Victoria denied using any of his services for cosmetic procedures. She stated, “I’ve never had a face-lift. Or a professional peel or lasers.”
Victoria and Dr. Glassman divorced in December 2006 after being together for over 20 years. While she doesn’t have biological children, she grew close with Dr. Glassman’s children from a previous relationship, Andrew and Brooke.
These days, Victoria stays active on social media and spends much of her time on her ranch near Los Angeles, where she focuses on rehabilitating animals. Seeing her happy and thriving brings tears of joy to many of her fans!
My MIL and Her Friends Devoured Our $1000 Wedding Cake the Evening Before Our Wedding, So I Decided to Teach Her a Lesson
I was heartbroken and furious when I discovered my mother-in-law Linda and her friends had devoured my $1000 wedding cake. I couldn’t believe they would intentionally ruin my special day, leaving only crumbs behind. But I was determined to teach them a lesson, and hence, my revenge plan began to take shape.
“No way I’m paying. It’s too expensive for something that tasted disgusting, JUST LIKE YOUR TASTE IN EVERYTHING,” Linda sneered, barely glancing at me.
I stood frozen in my living room doorway, grocery bags slipping from my hands.
I could feel the tears welling up as I took in the scene.
My beautiful wedding cake, the one I had saved for months to afford, was gone. Only crumbs and a half-eaten slice remained on the table while Linda and her friends lounged on the couch, looking pleased with themselves.
“Linda, how could you?” I choked out as I approached the empty box. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“That cake was for my wedding, Linda! It cost a thousand dollars! How will I replace it so soon?” I asked angrily.
“Oh, please, Emily,” Linda rolled her eyes. “It was just a cake. And honestly, it wasn’t even that good!”
“But it was important to me!” I snapped, tears streaming down my face. “You had no right to touch it!”
“Get over it, Emily,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “You’re always so dramatic. It’s just a cake, and it’s not like you have good taste in anything anyway.”
Linda and her friends exchanged amused glances before slowly getting up. “We’re leaving. But don’t expect any money from me,” she said smugly.
As they sauntered out, leaving a trail of crumbs and laughter behind them, I sank to the floor. My shoulders shook with silent sobs. The wedding was less than a day away, and now my beautiful cake was ruined.
Linda had never liked me because she wanted Alex to marry someone rich. From the moment we met, her disdain was evident. She constantly found reasons to belittle and undermine me, criticizing my choices, style, and personality at every opportunity.
But this… this was too much!
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
I couldn’t let this ruin everything. I had worked too hard and come too far to let Linda’s spiteful actions destroy my wedding. I wiped my tears and stood up.
First, I needed to call the bakery. Maybe, just maybe, they could make another cake in time. I grabbed my phone and dialed the number, praying they’d have good news.
But I was met with disappointment. No bakery was ready to take my order.
It was then that Sarah’s name popped into my head. I grabbed my phone and called her.
Sarah was not only my best friend and maid of honor but also an amazing baker. If anyone could help me, it was her.
“What? How dare she?” Sarah exclaimed as I told her everything. “Don’t worry, Emily, I’m coming over. We’ll fix this, okay?”
When Sarah walked into my kitchen that afternoon, she immediately gave me a hug. “We got this, Emily. Let’s make a cake even better than the original.”
We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Sarah took charge, giving me instructions and keeping me focused. We mixed the batter, baked the layers, and whipped up the frosting. The kitchen filled with the comforting smells of vanilla and sugar, lifting my spirits.
“How are you holding up?” she asked as we started decorating the cake.
“I’m still upset, but I’m determined not to let Linda ruin this for me,” I replied, carefully smoothing the frosting. “Thank you so much for helping me.”
“Of course, Emily. That’s what friends are for,” Sarah said with a warm smile.
Despite the time crunch, we worked efficiently. We piped flowers, added delicate details, and made sure every inch of the cake was perfect.
As the night wore on, exhaustion set in, but we pushed through. Finally, as the first light of dawn crept through the windows, we stepped back to admire our work.
The cake was beautiful, filled with love and care. It wasn’t the same as the original, but it was even more special because Sarah and I had made it together.
“Emily, this cake is stunning,” Sarah said, wiping a smudge of frosting from her cheek. “Linda has no idea what she’s up against.”
I smiled, feeling a surge of confidence. “You’re right. I’m not done yet. I’m going to teach Linda a lesson she’ll never forget.”
And then came the moment we were waiting for.
At my wedding reception, the new cake Sarah and I had made was set up, and it looked stunning. Guests mingled, chatting happily, but I noticed Linda watching me with a disappointed look. She had expected a meltdown, not this.
Just before we cut the cake, I took a deep breath and stepped up to the microphone.
Alex stood beside me, and I felt a pang of sadness as I looked into his eyes. He loved his mother, and he had no idea what she had done to me, to us.
“Thank you all for being here today,” I began, my voice steady. “I have something to share before we celebrate with this beautiful cake…”
The room fell silent, all eyes on me. I signaled to the technician, who played the security footage I had hidden in my living room. The video showed Linda and her friends eating the original cake and making snide comments about me.
Gasps echoed around the room as everyone watched. Linda’s face turned red, and she looked around, desperate for an escape!
“I installed a camera because I knew Linda didn’t like me,” I explained calmly. “Sorry, Alex,” I added, turning to him. “I suspected she might do something to sabotage our wedding. I didn’t want to believe it, but I had to be prepared.”
The guests murmured in shock, glancing between Linda and the screen. Linda’s friends tried to slip away, but the attention was already on them.
“Despite this setback, we have a beautiful new cake thanks to my amazing friend Sarah,” I continued. “This day is about love and celebration, and I won’t let anything ruin it.”
But this wasn’t over. I had more planned, and Linda had no idea what was coming next.
Suddenly, I saw Alex making his way toward Linda, his face flushed with anger. He reached her just as she was trying to blend into the crowd.
“Mom, how could you?” Alex’s voice was loud enough to silence the nearby conversations. “You ate our wedding cake and tried to sabotage Emily’s big day? This isn’t a joke!”
Linda tried to laugh it off. “Oh, Alex, it was just a bit of fun. No harm done, right?”
“No harm done?” Alex’s voice rose. “You ruined a thousand-dollar cake and caused Emily so much stress. This isn’t funny. It’s cruel!”
The guests watched in stunned silence, their eyes shifting between Alex and Linda. I felt a pang of sympathy for Alex, having to confront his own mother like this. But it needed to be done.
Linda looked around, realizing she had no supporters in the room. She mumbled something that sounded like an apology, but no one was convinced.
Taking out my phone, I quickly texted a waiter.
With a smile, I watched the waiter read my message and nod in my direction.
Minutes later, the caterers wheeled out a beautifully decorated cake, and I saw Linda and her friends eyeing it suspiciously.
The caterers placed it on a separate table, away from the main dessert.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I announced, getting everyone’s attention once more. “We have a special treat for a select few guests.”
The caterers began serving slices of the Styrofoam cake to Linda and her friends. Each slice had a small, elegant note attached. As Linda picked up her piece, she read the note out loud: “For those with truly tasteless appetites.”
Her face turned beet red, and the room fell silent for a moment before erupting in laughter.
Linda’s friends tried to hide their embarrassment, but it was too late.
Even Linda’s husband, William, burst out laughing.
He tried to stifle it, but he couldn’t help himself. “Oh, Linda, you had this coming,” he chuckled, shaking his head.
“Emily, that was brilliant,” one guest said, shaking my hand.
“Serves her right,” another added, nodding in approval.
William approached me with a serious expression, though I could see a hint of a smile. “Emily, I want you to know that Linda will be held accountable for her actions. This will not go unpunished.”
“Thank you,” I replied, grateful for his support. “I appreciate it.”
As the guests continued to cheer and celebrate, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Alex standing there, a proud but sad smile on his face.
“You handled that perfectly,” he said, pulling me into a hug. “It had to be done, but I’m sorry it came to this. I wish things were different. Mom shouldn’t have gone to such an extent.”
I hugged him back, feeling a surge of love and gratitude. “Thank you, Alex. For always supporting me.”
The rest of the evening was a blur of laughter, dancing, and joy. Despite everything, our wedding day had turned out better than I could have imagined, and I was glad that Linda’s antics couldn’t touch the happiness Alex and I shared.
What would you have done?
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