80s TV Legend Trades Spotlight for Serenity, Caring for Animals on Her Ranch at 74 – Photos Inside

A former TV star, this actress, known for her role on a hit show, left Hollywood after failed relationships and a desire for a more fulfilling life.

This actress, who gained fame in the 1970s and ’80s for her role on the award-winning soap opera Dallas, stepped away from Hollywood after years of success and a series of failed relationships, including a divorce, to pursue a different path.

Leaving the spotlight behind, she now dedicates her life to rescuing and caring for animals, a passion that brings her daily joy. Discover her inspiring journey and see how “beautiful” she looks at 74.

The Rise of the Dallas Star
This actress launched her career in the early 1970s, making her debut in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean alongside Paul Newman.

Despite her promising start, she became disillusioned with her career path just four years later and took a break from acting. During this time, she spent three years working as an agent, exploring a new direction in the industry.

By 1978, her growing interest in law and the business side of the entertainment industry inspired plans to attend law school, with aspirations of becoming a studio executive.

Fate intervened when renowned TV producer Aaron Spelling offered to pay for a year of her law school tuition if she agreed to appear in the pilot of Fantasy Island in 1977. She accepted, and the decision ultimately led her to one of the most defining roles of her career just a year later.

That life-changing role was Pamela Barnes Ewing on the hit CBS soap opera Dallas. The show quickly became a fan favorite and one of the longest-running TV series of its era.

“When I auditioned for Dallas, I had already fallen in love with the show and the role,” she revealed. “From the moment I read it, I knew it was incredibly special, and I truly wanted to be a part of it. I couldn’t imagine not being Pam.”

Her portrayal of Pam made her a defining figure of 1980s television. Reflecting on her time on the show, she fondly said, “The first five years were some of the best television I’ve ever seen.”

While working on Dallas, the actress met her first husband, actor Christopher Skinner. The couple quickly fell into a whirlwind romance and, after just three dates, got married in a private Las Vegas ceremony.

However, their relationship soon began to show signs of strain. The actress reflected, “After a while, Christopher realized he really did want someone who was home more, with more traditional hours. He wanted a more traditional marriage. That wasn’t his fault, and it wasn’t mine. Needs change.”

She added, “The reason we got divorced wasn’t because we didn’t love each other, but because he couldn’t live the way I lived, and I couldn’t live the way he wanted. There was no hate involved, just sorrow.”

The breakup with Skinner wasn’t the only romantic setback in the actress’s life. She was briefly involved with financier Bernie Cornfeld, a notorious figure of the time, and also dated legendary crooner Frank Sinatra before starting a relationship with pop star Andy Gibb.

After nine years of portraying Pamela, the Dallas alum decided to leave the show, feeling increasingly dissatisfied with the series. She explained, “[…] After year seven, there was a definitive decline. At year seven, it was time for me to renegotiate my contract, and I was very candid about my concern and my disappointment.”

The Hollywood star cited frustrations with the declining quality of the writing and left Dallas after her contract negotiations. She departed the show in March 1987, concluding her iconic role as the good-girl Pamela after nine successful seasons.

At the time of her exit, the actress had already authored three best-selling fitness books for Simon & Schuster, secured a lucrative six-figure endorsement deal with Jhirmack hair-care products, and had residuals that ensured financial stability for years to come.

Shortly after leaving Dallas, she focused on a new project: the CBS-TV movie Mistress, a drama about a small-town beauty involved with a wealthy married man. Despite her excitement for the role, the star faced significant challenges in transitioning from an ensemble TV actress to leading roles in film.

She candidly acknowledged the obstacles she faced, with critics labeling her “a lightweight.” They pointed to her experience in television ensembles, the perception that she had never carried a film or significant solo project, and her image as “too obvious” a choice to play a mistress.

Moreover, some critics claimed her beauty was a hindrance, arguing she was “too beautiful to be sympathetic” and “too sophisticated to be a victim.” Despite these challenges, her career continued to thrive. She launched her own production company, producing and starring in various TV movies.

In 1983, she authored The Body Principal, the first of four health and wellness books. Her entrepreneurial spirit soared in 1991 when she founded a successful skincare company, which she led for nearly 30 years.

By the early 2000s, after a series of successful business ventures and TV appearances, including a role on Titans from 2000 to 2001, the actress began to feel a shift in her priorities. Reflecting on her decision to leave Hollywood for good, she said, “By the time I turned 50, I felt that I wanted to make a change in my life.”

From Hollywood Glamour to Ranch Life
This well-known actress is none other than Victoria Principal, who found love again in the mid-1980s. After her emotional divorce from Andy Gibb, Principal met Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Harry Glassman.

Their relationship blossomed as both were navigating the end of their previous marriages. Glassman was in the process of divorcing his first wife, Jane, when he and Principal began dating.

They married in 1985, but in time, Glassman revealed, “One of the things about the relationship with Victoria I’ve grown to resent is the lack of privacy.” After more than two decades together, the couple parted ways in 2006.

Over the years, Principal remained dedicated to her skincare line, Principal Secret, but her heart was leading her toward a different path. In 2019, she officially stepped down from the business.

“[…] I will be stepping down to devote myself full-time to my philanthropic work through The Victoria Principal Foundation for Thoughtful Existence and my rescue work with animals,” she shared in a statement.

The actress’s animal rescue work became her primary focus after she moved to a ranch outside of Los Angeles. By 2012, she was living a quieter life, far from the Hollywood scene. On her ranch, she dedicates herself to rescuing and rehabilitating animals that have been neglected or abused.

“They need medical care, patience, and love to recover physically, emotionally, and in spirit. This is not a charitable organization but rather something I have dreamed of, and they all live out the rest of their lives with me,” she said.

“It’s something that fills me with joy every day,” she added. As for acting, the former Hollywood star admitted, “I have no plans to resume acting, but I learned a long time ago to ‘never say never’ as life has a way of offering us unexpected gifts if we are paying attention.”

Despite stepping away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Principal has remained a beloved public figure. In August, she took to social media to share a stunning photo of herself embracing her horse, and social media users couldn’t help but buzz over how stunning she looked at 74.

“You are so beautiful, Victoria,” one person commented. “Such a lovely picture. You are beautiful inside and out,” another person shared. A third person wrote, “Two beauties. Have a great weekend.”

A fourth social media user added, “So beautiful, dear Victoria. Love is always in my heart. I sure hope to meet you sometime. I love you, my friend. Happy Saturday to you and your precious fur family. 🐾☀️🌊💐💛❤️⭐️.”

After leaving the entertainment industry, Victoria Principal found fulfillment in caring for animals and dedicating herself to philanthropy. Her passion for rescuing and rehabilitating neglected or abused animals, along with her work through The Victoria Principal Foundation for Thoughtful Existence, became her primary focus.

At 74, Victoria Principal remains a radiant figure, proving that true happiness comes from following one’s passion and living authentically. Her dedication to animal rescue and philanthropy, along with her peaceful life on the ranch, reflects her commitment to a fulfilling and meaningful existence.