Decades after the release of the original Star Wars films, it’s a testament to the power of the franchise that we’re still capable of discovering new things about some of our favorite characters. Take Leia Organa, for example. Fans who have rooted for her based on the events the original three films have found a whole new reason to root for her as the leader of a (basically) anti-terrorism unit, but now we’ve learned something new about her character: she’s also one of the most learned characters in the entire Star Wars universe, and has been for a very, very long time.

The Hollywood Reporter, this particular tidbit comes to us courtesy of
Dr. Rebecca Harrison, who discovered Organa’s educational background in 
Superwomen: Gender, Power, and Representation, a book by 
Carolyn Cocca. According to an excerpt from Cocca’s book, George Lucas mentioned Organa’s Ph.D. during a DVD commentary track for Star Wars: A New Hope:

We all knew that Carrie Fisher’s characters was one of the most competent and tough-as-nails people in the Star Wars universe, but now it turns out that she’s one of the most well-educated to boot? The list of accolades for her character continue to grow: first a doctorate, then a role as a political ambassador, now a general. Maybe Luke Skywalker has all the fancy lightsaber tricks and Jedi powers, but give me Organa’s old-fashioned drive and determination any day of the week. That being said, some day I’d love to hear Lucas explain what exactly post-secondary education programs look like in space. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, were communication majors still the slackers of the educational system? I’d like to think that my degree would have been looked down upon at any time in galactic history.

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