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The soldadera who inspired Princess Leia's hair

Carrie Fisher was a feminist icon, in part due to her role as Princess Leia, a tough fighter who wore two buns on the sides of her head. Star Wars director George Lucas said that hairstyle was based on a 鈥淪outhwestern Pancho Villa woman revolutionary look.鈥

Now, a Smithsonian exhibit includes a photo from his files of one Mexican revolutionary who inspired him. Alexandra de la Rocha is her descendant. She felt a connection to Princess Leia before finding out about their actual connection.

(Image: This photo of Clara de la Rocha, a noted colonel in the Mexican Revolution, was included in the Smithsonian exhibit 鈥淪tar Wars and the Power of Costume.鈥 Credit: Courtesy Alexandra de la Rocha)

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2 minutes