Victoria Principal Planned to Adopt Child Alone Yet Married Doctor & Become 'Crazy' about His Kids

Publish date: 2024-05-20

Victoria Principal's initial plans didn't involve getting married, wanting a husband, or having kids. But later in life, she felt a longing to adopt a child as a single parent until she met someone who changed her perspective toward life altogether.

Vicki Ree Principal, who later became known as Victoria Principal, is an American actress, producer, and author. Her relationships with men were short-living and not entirely serious, with some saying she liked the attention from famous, fast-living men.

She was said to have been in flings with pro footballer Lance Rentzel, tycoon Bernie Cornfeld, and singing legend Frank Sinatra. Principal wasn't planning on marriage and motherhood at all until she met Christopher Skinner one day when he played a small role on a "Dallas" episode.

Victoria Principal during Screening of HBO's "And the Band Played On" at The Academy Theater in Beverly Hills, CA, United States. | Source: Getty Images

Principal and Skinner tied the knot after a brief, highly passionate dating period. Regarding the love of her life, Principal said:

"I didn't feel there was anything lacking in my life until I met him. Suddenly, I decided that something was lacking — and it was him."

Shortly afterward, her career catapulted, but he found it difficult to make a mark in Hollywood. While Principal enjoyed success, Skinner endured endless struggles. But he was determined to turn things in his favor.

Victoria Principal. | Source: Getty Images

At the time, Principal admitted that she had an enormous ego and might not like her husband hitting the jackpot. Sadly, the marriage ended as quickly as it happened. Principal blamed the top-rated TV show, "Dallas" for breaking her marriage of only 21 months with her co-star and actor, Skinner.

MARRIAGE WAS NOT IN HER PLANS

Even though Principal came from a stable home, she was anti-marriage and said she believed in the institution emotionally but not intellectually. She said that due to her lifestyle, dedication to her career, and other habits like traveling, she felt marriage was not meant for her. Also, she added:

"Marriage is definitely not for me. If I do get married, it will be because I've fallen in love with a man who believes in it, and I will accede to his wishes against my better judgment."

Principal also explained that if she felt the need later in her life to become a mother, she would adopt a baby. The "Dallas" star met the young pop singer Andy Gibb, and soon afterward, the two began dating and entered into a live-in relationship.

American actress Victoria Principal pictured holding a white cat during a visit to London on 3rd December 1970. | Source: Getty Images

The then-33-year-old diva said that she was delighted in sharing a love life with Gibb, who was ten years her junior but added that she felt wary of marrying a third time. But the dark-haired beauty shared she was positive about becoming a mom through adoption.

She said she feared giving birth to a baby because of her age. Principal described:

"I think the only way for me is to adopt as a single parent. It can be done, but I'm prepared for a long wait — at least three years. Still, that will give me time to get a nursery ready."

Actress Victoria Principal poses for a portrait in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

THE MAN WHO CHANGED HER MIND

Principal was going about her everyday life when she met Harry Glassman, who was 40 at the time and a plastic surgeon by profession. He had never operated on the iconic TV star and was involved in a bitter divorce. Meanwhile, Principal was bouncing back from her broken marriage and whirlwind romances.

But soon afterward, Principal was reportedly smitten with the doctor and admitted she found him intelligent, handsome, and considerate. She even confessed:

"If I were to marry, the only man in the world I would get married to is Harry."

American plastic surgeon Dr Harry Glassman and his wife, American actress Victoria Principal attend the 40th Annual Golden Globe Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, 1983. | Source: Getty Images

Principal said she fell madly in love with the Beverley Hills plastic surgeon shortly after his divorce was finalized. After being together for nearly three years, the actress who played Pamela Ewing on the popular TV show said she planned to marry Glassman in a small, private ceremony.

Per Principal's agent, the ceremony would take place at the posh Mansion Hotel, Dallas, because Principal was shooting her upcoming scenes for the TV series. Even though Glassman was not as famous as her previous partners, she felt nothing but love for him.

Finally came the fateful day when 35-year-old Principal married 42-year-old Glassman in 1985, surrounded by family and friends. On the second day of their nuptial celebrations, the newlyweds hosted a brunch for the cast and crew of "Dallas" as the show was filmed at the hotel where they married.

Victoria Principal with her husband Dr Harry Glassman, 1987. | Source: Getty Images

Principal and Glassman also surprised their fans by showing up at the hotel's balcony together, dressed to the nines and glowing with love. The hotel spokesperson revealed that the couple had no plans for a honeymoon and said she believed they had already taken a trip before marriage.

Meanwhile, relatives and fans of the couple couldn't stop doting on the lovely bride's gorgeous Zandra Rhodes gown, which was made of silk chiffon and matte jersey embroidered with 2,500 seed pearls.

Before their marriage, Glassman's ex, Jane, had argued over property, including a ring that she claimed Glassman bought for Principal. However, Principal swore that he purchased her no ring, but she later bought one for herself on her 33rd birthday.

Harry Glassman and Victoria Principal during 10th Annual People's Choice Awards at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

But while Glassman was said to be troubled with his fame after being involved with Principal, she seemed to treasure him wholeheartedly. She expressed:

"With Harry, I feel completely fulfilled. I'm just wild about Harry."

FALLING APART AND PICKING UP THE PIECES

After her marriage to Glassman, then then-40-year-old Principal revealed why she didn't have any children of her own. She silenced the rumor mill by sharing her true feelings on the matter. The former "Dallas" actress confessed:

"I have always been reticent and I know there have been rumors that I didn't have children because of my vanity. I didn't have children because I can't have children."

Andrew Glassman, Victoria Principal and Harry Glassman at the Stop Arthritis Telethon. | Source: Getty Images

But Principal said she found comfort in being a good stepmom to Glassman's two children from his previous marriage. She said she was wild about her lovely stepchildren. Principal added:

"You can't have two parents turn out two wonderful children like that unless they are very nice people."

Sadly, Principal filed for divorce from her husband after 21 years of being together. They had no children, and the divorce was finalized on March 25, 2006. Earlier in 1980, Principal and her first husband, Christopher Skinner, had also parted ways.

Andrew Glassman, Victoria Principal and Harry Glassman at the 10th Annual Choice Awards. | Source: Getty Images

The former TV star cited irreconcilable differences as the reasons for her divorce from Glassman. Regarding her split from the love of her life, Principal said:

"I think it is good judgment to invest effort in a relationship that is working. And to stop doing so when you know it will never work again."

Principal's plans for adoption did not come true, but despite being without a husband and children, she expressed she didn't feel lonely at all and was happy with where she was in life.

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