Princess Leia

Princess Leia

Rebel Commander

In a galaxy full of testosterone, women had to be tough to attain high-ranking positions, no matter what side of the political divide they fell on. Princess Leia Organa, full of wit and nerve, was always up to the challenge. Although she wasn't physically imposing or powerful with the Force, Princess Leia had a way of commanding attention, often addressing roomfuls of people without batting an eye. Leia was exactly what the Rebellion needed at the time she came around, because she would go on to lead them to a decisive victory over the Empire in less than a decade of fighting.

Raised by the wealthy Senator Bail Organa and his wife on the beautiful world of Alderaan, Leia would not come to find out the identify of her birth mother until many years later. However, like her mother, Senator Padme Amidala (formerly Queen Amidala of Naboo), Leia exhibited a natural talent for politics at a young age and followed in the footsteps of her adoptive father, Bail Organa. Instantly distrustful of the Senate's leader, Emperor Palpatine, as well as his enforcer Darth Vader, Leia joined the resistance movement known as the Rebellion, even knowing the great danger she was putting herself and her family in for doing so. At all times brave and outspoken, Leia was steadfast in her belief that it was her job to serve the people she represented as their elected official.

At some point, her vessel became captured by Darth Vader's ship, and suddenly Leia found herself caught in a battle. Sending out a call for help to the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Leia sent her message with the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, hoping the pair could track down their old friend Obi-Wan and get him involved in the war. Caught by storm troopers shortly afterwards, Princess Leia was brought before Darth Vader, who demanded she reveal the location of a secret Rebel base. When Leia refused, Vader had the Imperials use the Death Star to blow up her homeworld, Alderaan, resulting in the deaths of her adoptive parents along with millions of other life forms. Such destruction left a permanent mark on her soul, but Leia still refused to betray her Rebel allies, knowing that they were the galaxy's only hope for toppling the Empire.

Leia was rescued by Luke Skywalker, Ben Kenobi, their hired pilot Han Solo, and his first mate Chewbacca days later aboard the Death Star, and she witnessed the death of Obi-Wan at the hands of Lord Vader. The tragedy only pushed her to work toward the Rebel Alliance's goal even more, as she recruited the help of Luke, Han, and the others. The next few years of war presented many challanges and surprises, including Leia discovering that she and Luke were twins, and that she was Force-sensitive, like him. She also found the love of her life in Han Solo, a pairing that did not seem likely at all in the beginning. In the end, she and her new-found friends were successful in destroying the Death Star - twice - and defeating Emperor Palpatine, going on to lead a new government for the galaxy; one that recognized all citizens, alien or not, as equals. These plans would never have been accomplished if Leia had been any less than what she was - daring, kind, and determined.