Separated from a mother she barely knew and a father she later counted among her worst enemies, Leia Organa is a princess who grew up enmeshed in the politics of her time. She accomplished much by a young age: a leader in the Rebel Alliance, a former member of the Imperial Senate, and a member of the Royal Family of Alderaan. She never desired the power that was thrust upon her, but so strong was her commitment to peace, freedom, and democracy that she was willing to accept the burdens and the risks that it took to accomplish her goals.
It was a partial holographic message of Princess Leia, pleading for help, that launched Luke into a galaxy of adventure. The young hero was looking only to help a girl in trouble -- little did he know that their pasts and destinies were so connected.
Bail Organa and the Queen of Alderaan adopted Leia as a newborn. Only Bail, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda knew that young Leia was the offspring of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. Bail raised her daughter to be a conscientious politician and leader in the Rebel Alliance.
Han originally regarded Princess Leia as a headstrong politician used to getting her way -- likely the very quality he liked in her. While the two's relationship at times was tempestuous, their mutual respect for one another eventually developed into deeper feelings that would draw them together in their fight against the Empire.
Princess Leia infiltrated Jabba the Hutt's palace disguised as the Ubese bounty hunter, Boussh. She freed Han Solo from his carbonite imprisonment, but both were caught by the Hutt. Leia then suffered the indignity of being Jabba the Hutt's slave girl.
Vader did not know that Leia was his daughter, even though the two had met on occasion during the Galactic Civil War. As a servant of the Emperor, Vader was most interested in reports of Leia supporting the Rebel Alliance. He captured Princess Leia and interrogated her to find the location of the hidden Rebel base.