Princess Leia
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Her Royal Highness, Princess Leia Organa Solo of Alderaan (born Leia Skywalker in 19 BBY), is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe played by an unknown child in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, actress Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: Episodes IV-VI, and by Ann Sachs in the 1980s radio drama.
She appears in major roles in all three movies of the original trilogy and the post-Return of the Jedi novels. Princess Leia appears briefly as an infant in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
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History
Leia Organa is the younger of the fraternal twins of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, the adopted daughter of Viceroy Bail Organa of Alderaan, and the twin sister of Luke Skywalker (though this is not revealed unambiguously until Return of the Jedi). A politician turned fighter and spy, she has a forceful personality and keen intellect, having accomplished much in her youth. Leia is a leader of the Rebel Alliance, formerly a senator of the Galactic Empire (many years later, Chief of State of the New Republic), and a member of the Royal Family of Alderaan. Though raised in privileged surroundings, this fiery diplomat receives martial training in order to defend herself, both with a blaster and just her bare hands.
Early life
Her life begins in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith when Padmé Skywalker gives birth to the twins at Polis Massa before she dies while being comforted by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Leia is sent to Alderaan with R2-D2 and C-3PO by Bail Organa so she would not be found by the Empire. Leia has not learned that she is a member of the Skywalker family and, therefore, will later believe that Luke Skywalker is her only living relative.
At the age of 18, she becomes the youngest member of the Imperial Senate. She also becomes one of the driving forces behind the Rebel Alliance, the New Republic and even later, the Galactic Alliance.
Life as a rebel
In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Senator Leia is captured by the Sith Lord, Darth Vader. He accuses her of being a traitor and demands to know the location of the secret technical plans of the Death Star, the Empire's newest and most powerful weapon. Unknown to him, the young senator has hidden the plans inside an R2 unit, R2-D2, and has sent it to find the legendary Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on the nearby planet of Tatooine. Later, Vader has her tortured, but she resists telling him anything. Still believing she could be useful, Grand Moff Tarkin, Commander of the Death Star, threatens to blow her homeworld up unless she reveals the location of the hidden Rebel base. Fortunately, she still does not give in and lies to them, as Tarkin ordered Alderaan to be destroyed anyway. Expecting to be terminated, the brave princess does not give up hope and is finally rescued by unlikely heroes: Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the cocky smuggler Han Solo, the Wookiee Chewbacca, and the two droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO. When they finally escape, though at the expense of Obi-wan's life, they take part in the Battle of Yavin and Luke, in his one-man X-wing fighter, blows up the Empire's most dreaded weapon. Finally, in the Massassi Temple at the hidden Rebel base of the 4th moon of Yavin, the radiant Princess Leia Organa presents medals of bravery to her rescuers and the heroes of the battle.
The Empire Strikes Back
Three years later, in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Princess Leia helps with the evacuation of the rebel base on Hoth, an icy-rock planet. Despite the ongoing battle, she remains vigilant and issues commands from the crumbling base. Luckily, she is able to escape any danger and flees with C-3PO, Han Solo and Chewbacca on the Millennium Falcon. Though they are pursued by Imperial fighters, they manage to dodge their fire by flying into an asteroid field as the hyperdrive broke down. Although the Princess is constantly at odds with Han Solo, romance blossoms and while hiding in a cave (actually the mouth of a space slug), she shares her first kiss with the scruffy-looking Corellian smuggler. Later, when they stop at Bespin, Cloud City, for repairs, Han Solo's friend, Lando Calrissian, betrays them and they fall into the hands of Darth Vader. However, the Imperials at Bespin are not interested in them, but instead use Princess Leia and her friends as bait for the young Rebel Commander, Luke Skywalker. Han Solo is also used as a test subject for the carbon freezing chamber meant for Luke, and it is there Princess Leia finally confesses her love for Han. Vader then gives the frozen Han to bounty hunter Boba Fett to give to Jabba the Hutt, whom Han owed a large debt. Later, Lando Calrissian helps the Princess, Chewbacca and the two droids escape. While escaping, she senses that Luke is in trouble and makes them go back for him. They manage to save Luke, who is badly hurt after an exhausting duel against Darth Vader.
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Return of the Jedi
Six months after Han is kidnapped, Leia, Calrissian, and Luke (now a full-fledged Jedi) go to Tatooine to try to rescue him from Jabba the Hutt. The initial plan fails and Leia is made Jabba's slave (dressed in the solid gold bikini still drooled over by male fans to this day) while Luke and Han are sentenced to be fed to a Sarlaac. Luke and Calrissian overpower Jabba's guards at the last minute, creating enough of a diversion for Leia to choke Jabba to death with the chain that binds her to his throne. She is reunited with Han, and returns to the Alliance.
While preparing for a last battle with Imperial Stormtroopers on Endor, Luke reveals to her that she is actually his sister, and that the hated Vader is their father. She is stunned, but recovers sufficiently enough to lead the Rebels to victory on Endor as the Rebel Fleet destroy the second Death Star, and with it the Empire.
Expanded Universe
In the books that continue the adventures of the Star Wars universe, Leia marries Han, and they have three children together: twins Jaina Solo and Jacen Solo, and Anakin Solo, who is named after his grandfather Anakin Skywalker. Her duties include a prominent role in the new government, as the Head of State of the New Republic and later Diplomat and Chief of Defense of the New Republic.
Leia holds her position as Princess of Alderaan as she is publicly believed to be Bail Organa's natural daughter and heir. Traditionally, the heir of the Alderaan throne also serves in the legislative High Council of Alderaan and a term as Senator of Alderaan. After Alderaan is destroyed, she leads the Alderaan survivors to New Alderaan, which is founded after the Galactic Civil War. The Royal House of Alderaan, in the person of Leia Organa Solo and her children, continues to hold sovereignty of both New Alderaan and the Alderaan system. The government on New Alderaan administers their former Alderaan system.
Trivia
In June 2005 Norway's Princess Märtha Louise of Norway admitted in an interview that the first name of her youngest daughter Leah Isadora Behn - 5th in succession to the Norwegian throne - was inspired by the character of Princess Leia.
| Preceded by: Bail Organa | Senator of Alderaan 1-0 BBY | Succeeded by: Senate dissolved |
| Preceded by: n/a | Minister of State of New Republic 5 ABY - 11 ABY | Succeeded by: unknown |
| Preceded by: Mon Mothma | Chief of State of New Republic 11 ABY - 19 ABY | Succeeded by: Ponc Gavrisom |
| Preceded by: Ponc Gavrisom | Chief of State of New Republic ~23ABY - ~24 ABY | Succeeded by: Borsk Fey'lya Template:End boxca:Leia Organa da:Leia Organa ja:レイア姫 pt:Princesa Leia sv:Prinsessan Leia Organa |