Victoria Principal rose to fame as Pamela Barnes Ewing on the hit television series Dallas, a role that defined an era of dramatic primetime storytelling. After leaving the show, she reinvented herself as a skincare entrepreneur, building a business that continues to generate interest decades later. This article examines her career, financial standing, personal relationships, and current activities based on available public records and reporting.
Born in Japan to a military family, Principal moved frequently during her childhood before settling into acting. Her nine-season run on Dallas made her a household name, but her decision to leave the series in 1987 surprised many viewers. She later turned her attention to writing and entrepreneurship, launching the skincare line Principal Secret in 1989.
Today, Principal maintains a relatively low public profile, though she remains active on social media and continues to oversee her beauty brand. The facts below are drawn from multiple sources, including biographical databases, news outlets, and official accounts.
What is Victoria Principal’s net worth?
Reported estimates of Victoria Principal’s net worth vary widely, reflecting the private nature of her finances and the lack of independently audited figures. Several sources place the figure around $350 million, while others suggest a more conservative range of $10–15 million. The most frequently cited number in recent years has been $350 million, though this is not universally accepted.
Estimated $10–15 million (2025)
75 (born January 3, 1950)
None
Harry Glassman (married 1985–2006)
Key insights
- Victoria Principal accumulated wealth primarily from acting on Dallas and later from her skincare line, Principal Secret.
- Despite being married twice, she has no children, which she has stated was a personal choice.
- Her relationship with Andy Gibb was brief but notable; Gibb died in 1988 from myocarditis.
- In 2026, she continues to run her skincare business and remains active on social media, but is largely retired from acting.
- She was born in Fukuoka, Japan, to a U.S. military family and moved frequently as a child.
- Her book The Body Principal (1987) became a bestseller during the fitness craze of the 1980s.
- Principal left Dallas before the series ended, a decision that allowed her to focus on business ventures.
Snapshot facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Victoria Ree Principal |
| Born | January 3, 1950, in Fukuoka, Japan (US citizen) |
| Known for | Role as Pamela Barnes Ewing on Dallas (1978–1987) |
| Occupation | Actress, producer, entrepreneur, author, skincare expert |
| Net worth estimate | ~$12 million (widely varying reports) |
| Marriages | Christopher Skinner (1978–1980), Harry Glassman (1985–2006) |
| Children | 0 |
| Notable book | The Body Principal (1987) |
How old is Victoria Principal and what did she look like when young?
Victoria Principal was born on January 3, 1950, making her 75 years old as of 2025 and 76 in 2026. Her birth date is consistently reported across authoritative sources, including Wikipedia and TV Insider.
Early appearance and career beginnings
Photographs from the 1970s and 1980s show Principal with a slender build, dark hair, and a warm, approachable smile. She began her acting career in the early 1970s with a small role in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1971). By the time she joined Dallas in 1978, she had already gained attention for her looks and screen presence.
Her height is often listed as 5’5″ (165 cm), though this is not officially confirmed by Principal herself and may vary across sources.
Transition from actress to entrepreneur
As she aged, Principal shifted focus away from acting and toward business. Her skincare line, Principal Secret, became her primary professional identity. She has stated in interviews that she prefers to be judged on her business acumen rather than her appearance.
Does Victoria Principal have children?
Victoria Principal has no children. Multiple reliable sources, including biography databases and news articles, confirm that she never had children during either of her marriages. The decision appears to have been a personal choice, though she has not spoken extensively about it in public.
Who was Victoria Principal’s husband?
Principal was married twice. Her first marriage was to Christopher Skinner, a talent agent, from 1978 to 1980. Her second marriage was to Dr. Harry Glassman, a prominent plastic surgeon, from 1985 until their divorce in 2006. Neither marriage produced children. For another story of a star who transitioned from Hollywood to business, read about Paul Newman’s biography, career, and philanthropy.
Christopher Skinner: married 1978, divorced 1980/1981. Harry Glassman: married 1985, divorced 2006. No children from either union.
Why no children?
Principal has given few public statements about her childlessness. In a rare interview, she indicated that her career and personal priorities led her to forgo motherhood. The lack of children is consistently reported across all major biographical sources.
What was Victoria Principal’s relationship with Andy Gibb?
In the early 1980s, Victoria Principal had a high-profile romantic relationship with singer Andy Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees family. The relationship lasted about two years and ended amid Gibb’s struggles with substance abuse. Gibb died in 1988 at age 30 from myocarditis, a heart inflammation condition.
Principal has rarely discussed the relationship publicly, but it remains one of the most frequently asked-about topics in her personal life. The relationship is documented in several entertainment news archives and biographies of Gibb.
The exact timeline of the relationship is not precisely documented. Some sources suggest it began in 1980 and ended in 1982, but this is not confirmed by Principal or Gibb’s estate.
What is Victoria Principal doing in 2026?
As of early 2025, Victoria Principal remains retired from acting. Her primary focus is managing her skincare brand, Principal Secret, which she continues to promote through occasional social media posts on her official Instagram and Facebook accounts. She has not announced any new acting projects, book deals, or public appearances for 2026.
Her long-term plans appear to center on her business and philanthropy. She has not indicated any intention to return to television or film. Given her age and current lifestyle, she is expected to continue running her brand from a private residence in the United States.
What is the timeline of Victoria Principal’s life and career?
- 1950 – Born in Fukuoka, Japan, to a US military family.
- 1950s–1960s – Moves frequently due to father’s career; settled in London, then US.
- 1971 – First film role in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean.
- 1978 – Begins role as Pamela Ewing on Dallas; marries Christopher Skinner (divorced 1980).
- 1980 – Relationship with Andy Gibb begins; lasts about two years.
- 1985 – Marries plastic surgeon Harry Glassman.
- 1987 – Leaves Dallas; publishes The Body Principal.
- 1988 – Andy Gibb dies.
- 1990s–2000s – Launches skincare line Principal Secret; focuses on entrepreneurship.
- 2006 – Divorces Harry Glassman.
- 2025 – Still active in skincare; no acting projects; alive and well.
- 2026 – Expected to continue running her skincare brand; no public plans to return to acting.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Victoria Principal’s life?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Victoria Principal was born January 3, 1950. | Exact net worth is not publicly verified; estimates vary between $10–15 million and $350 million. |
| She played Pamela Barnes Ewing on Dallas. | Her 2026 activities are speculative; no official announcements public as of early 2025. |
| She was married to Christopher Skinner and Harry Glassman. | Some sources list her height or other physical details inconsistently. |
| She has no children. | The exact timeline of her relationship with Andy Gibb is not precisely documented. |
| She had a romantic relationship with Andy Gibb. | No direct quotes from Principal about her decision not to have children are widely available. |
What is the cultural significance of Victoria Principal’s career?
Victoria Principal remains a nostalgic icon of 1980s television, representing the “good girl” archetype on Dallas. Her shift to skincare entrepreneurship made her a pioneer among actresses building consumer brands. Her early departure from Dallas (before the series ended) was controversial but allowed her to focus on business ventures. Her book The Body Principal was a bestseller, reflecting the fitness craze of the 1980s.
Although retired from acting, she is still followed by fans via social media. Her skincare line maintains a loyal customer base. The lack of a reunion or new project keeps her legacy tied to the Dallas era.
What sources can I trust for information about Victoria Principal?
For biographical details such as her birth date, filmography, and marriages, Wikipedia provides a well-cited overview. IMDb offers a complete filmography and career timeline. For current activities, her official Instagram and Facebook page are the most direct sources, though they contain limited biographical information. Rotten Tomatoes aggregates her on-screen work but adds little personal detail.
No direct quotes from Principal herself were available in the reviewed sources. For first-hand perspective, interviews from Dallas reunion specials or her book promotions would be necessary.
What is the overall summary of Victoria Principal’s life?
Victoria Principal is best known for her nine-season role on Dallas, which made her a global star. After leaving the show, she successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship with her skincare line Principal Secret. She was married twice, had no children, and had a brief relationship with singer Andy Gibb. As of 2026, she remains retired from acting and focuses on her business. For a parallel story of an iconic star who built a business empire, read our profile on Paul Newman – Biography, Career, and Philanthropy.
Frequently asked questions about Victoria Principal
Is Victoria Principal still alive?
Yes, Victoria Principal is alive as of 2025. She resides in the United States and is active on social media.
Why did Victoria Principal leave Dallas?
She left Dallas in 1987 after nine seasons, citing a desire to pursue other opportunities and spend more time on her business ventures.
What is Victoria Principal’s skincare line?
She founded Principal Secret, a skincare product line that includes serums, moisturizers, and anti-aging treatments.
How tall is Victoria Principal?
Her height is often listed as 5’5″ (165 cm), though this is not officially confirmed.
Did Victoria Principal have any children?
No, she has no children from either of her marriages.
Who was Victoria Principal’s most famous husband?
Her second husband, Dr. Harry Glassman, was a well-known plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
What was the name of Victoria Principal’s book?
She wrote The Body Principal, a fitness and lifestyle book published in 1987.
How long was Victoria Principal on Dallas?
She played Pamela Barnes Ewing from 1978 to 1987, a total of nine seasons.
Where was Victoria Principal born?
She was born in Fukuoka, Japan, because her father was stationed there with the U.S. military.
Is Victoria Principal related to the actress in The Love Boat?
No, she is not related to any other known actress of the same surname.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.