When it comes to iconic Star Wars heroes, it's hard to forget Princess Leia. Played by the late Carrie Fisher in the movies, Princess Leia is one of the Rebel Alliance's most stalwart champions. Her accomplishments in the films are certainly noteworthy. After all, defeating the Galactic Empire is no easy task!
Despite these impressive feats, the character achieved even more outside of the movies. Unsurprisingly, much of this material stems from the old Expanded Universe, now known as Legends. For fans who are unfamiliar with the Star Wars Legends continuity, these daring exploits performed by the Rebel heroine may seem surprising.
6 Duelled Darth Vader
One of the first additions to the old Expanded Universe was a 1978 novel titled Splinter of the Mind's Eye. In this story, set after the events of A New Hope, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia are marooned on a swamp planet known as Mimban. While on the planet, Luke tries to obtain a rare Kaiburr crystal, an artifact strong in the Force.
When the duo's exploits attract the attention of Darth Vader, Leia briefly fends off the Sith Lord while Luke is incapacitated. She is badly wounded in the process but succeeds in buying Luke enough time to confront Vader. Aided by the power of the Kaiburr crystal, Luke even manages to slice off one of Vader's arms! Leia's willingness to defend Luke against impossible odds is one of the character's noblest moments.
5 Protected Her Son From A Reborn Emperor Palpatine
The galaxy receives a rude awakening when it's discovered that Palpatine's spirit survived his mortal body's death at Endor. While inhabiting a clone body, Palpatine unites the disparate forces of the Empire under his banner once again. With the aid of several terrifying superweapons, Palpatine nearly brings the fledgling New Republic to its knees.
However, when his clone body begins to fail, Palpatine seeks out another host. Ultimately, he tries to possess the body of the newborn Anakin Solo, Han and Leia's son. Fortunately, Leia manages to tap into her latent Force powers, shielding her son from the Sith Master's grasp. Unable to inhabit a new body, Palpatine's spirit is finally vanquished permanently.
4 Became A Leader Of The New Republic
The Rebel Alliance gains newfound legitimacy after the Empire's defeat at the Battle of Endor. The loose organization of separatist cells transitions into a functioning, governing body that replaces the Imperial administration. Many of the Rebellion's heroes, including Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker, all play leading roles in the new government, known as the New Republic.
Leia, in particular, occupies several important positions throughout the New Republic's lifespan. Her most important contribution came when she was first elected Chief of State roughly seven years after the showdown at Endor. It's only fitting that such a prominent figure of the Rebellion would occupy the New Republic's most important post.
3 Joined The New Jedi Order
Of course, Leia wasn't the only one who was busy after the Empire's defeat. While Leia is primarily concerned with politics, Luke sets about restoring the Jedi Order. It proves to be a long, difficult process with its fair share of setbacks. For her part, Leia is initially hesitant to embrace her Force potential, unsure of what it means to be Darth Vader's daughter.
Nevertheless, as the years pass, Leia eventually decides to train as a Jedi. Furthermore, her three children, Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin, also become Jedi. After years of training, and with the help of her brother, Leia became an accomplished practitioner of the Force and a valued member of the New Jedi Order.
2 Played A Role In Grand Admiral Thrawn's Death
Grand Admiral Thrawn was one of the Empire's most capable and brilliant military tacticians. He briefly managed to unite many of the squabbling Imperial Warlords to wage a new conflict against the New Republic, a struggle that the Grand Admiral almost won. Thrawn, however, was assassinated by his Noghri bodyguard while at the pinnacle of his power.
Leia played an indirect role in this assassination. The Noghri species once pledged their allegiance to Darth Vader, who tricked them into thinking the Empire would help restore their home planet from ruin. Subsequently, the Noghri viewed Thrawn as Vader's successor and dutifully served him as well. When Leia fell into the clutches of the Noghri, they discovered that she was the daughter of Darth Vader.
Leia revealed the Empire's deception to the Noghri and convinced them to join the New Republic. Enraged by the Empire's betrayal, Thrawn's bodyguard, Rukh, killed Thrawn by stabbing him in the chest. Leia's role in this episode is clearly pivotal.
1 Infiltrated The Black Sun Crime Syndicate
One of the most acclaimed pieces of Star Wars Legends content is the 1996 novel, Shadows of the Empire. The book's setting takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The crime boss of the Black Sun syndicate, Prince Xizor, attempts to kill Luke Skywalker in an effort to gain the Empire's favor.
Leia and Chewbacca infiltrate Prince Xizor's organization for information, where the arrogant crime lord attempts to seduce Leia. These advances are rebuffed, which lands the Princess in Xizor's prison. A chaotic escape ensues and the events of Return of the Jedi are set into motion.