Since 1977, Princess Leia Organa has been the paragon of a true action heroine. Beautiful, strong, intelligent as well as charming and courageous. Few female characters have been able to live up to her, but so many girls have been inspired by her as well. Leia's allure doesn't come from the fact that she is a princess or even a general, but rather as someone who loves deeply and has no shame in showing it.
Leia is a woman with many familial connections; the daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, twin sister to Luke Skywalker, wife to Han Solo and mother to Ben Solo (Kylo Ren). Leia inherited her mother's gift of politics and leadership and her father's powerful intuition of the Force. The Force tends to be stronger with Leia than with her brother which allows her to control her emotions and fuel them into her decisions.
Leia's legendary love story with space pirate Han Solo is has been the stuff of romantic and comedic relationships that is reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. A young and strong-willed princess who finds herself face to face with a handsome, older rogue is hardly forgettable. However, Han and Leia's relationship has been rocky and unsteady from the beginning and comes to a halt when their son, Ben abandoned them. While her brother and husband fled, Leia remained strong and continued on with her work to protect the Galaxy.
After the young orphan, Rey, proves herself in battle and conflict, Leia sees a small bit of her younger self. Loss and fear that is encompassed by bravery and kindness. Everything in Leia's life whether love or loss has created a woman who will not succumb to the evil around her and never back down from a fight. A woman whose integrity and compassion has made her a leader, a rebel and role model for girls and woman that has endured for almost forty years.
I've always adored Leia, and I looked up to her as a wee child. I mean, princess of sass (and actual princess) who can save herself, but also will accept help? GOALS.
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