POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints J. B. Griswell, G. R. Narber, and J. N. Hoffman, and each of them (with
full  power to each of them to act  alone),  the  undersigned's  true and lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution to each, for and on
behalf and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,  to execute and file
any of the  documents  referred  to below  relating  to  registration  under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life insurance
contracts,  with premiums received in connection with such contracts held in the
Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on Form S-6 or
other forms under the Securities Act of 1933, and any and all amendments thereto
and reports  thereunder  with all  exhibits  and all  instruments  necessary  or
appropriate in connection therewith,  each of said  attorneys-in-fact and agents
and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without the others
or other,  and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in the
name and on behalf of the undersigned each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary  or  appropriate  with  respect  thereto  to be done in and  about the
premises in order to  effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person;  hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of them, may do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ D. J. Drury
                                               _________________________________
                                               D. J. Drury

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ G. D. Hurd
                                               _________________________________
                                               G. D. Hurd

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ R. M. Davis
                                               _________________________________
                                               R. M. Davis

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ C. D. Gelatt, Jr.
                                               _________________________________
                                               C. D. Gelatt, Jr.

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury,  G. R.  Narber and J. N.  Hoffman,  and each of them (with
full  power to each of them to act  alone),  the  undersigned's  true and lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution to each, for and on
behalf and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,  to execute and file
any of the  documents  referred  to below  relating  to  registration  under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life insurance
contracts,  with premiums received in connection with such contracts held in the
Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on Form S-6 or
other forms under the Securities Act of 1933, and any and all amendments thereto
and reports  thereunder  with all  exhibits  and all  instruments  necessary  or
appropriate in connection therewith,  each of said  attorneys-in-fact and agents
and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without the others
or other,  and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in the
name and on behalf of the undersigned each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary  or  appropriate  with  respect  thereto  to be done in and  about the
premises in order to  effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person;  hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents, or any of them, may do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ J. B. Griswell
                                               _________________________________
                                               J. B. Griswell

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ C. S. Johnson
                                               _________________________________
                                               C. S. Johnson

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ W. T Kerr
                                               _________________________________
                                               W. T. Kerr

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ Lee Liu
                                               _________________________________
                                               Lee Liu

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ V. H. Loewenstein
                                               _________________________________
                                               V. H. Loewenstein


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ R. D. Pearson
                                               _________________________________
                                               R. D. Pearson

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ J. R. Price
                                               _________________________________
                                               J. R. Price

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ D. M. Stewart
                                               _________________________________
                                               D. M. Stewart

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ E. E. Tallett
                                               _________________________________
                                               E. E. Tallett

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ D. D. Thornton
                                               _________________________________
                                               D. D. Thornton

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to flexible  premium variable life
insurance  contracts,  with premiums  received in connection with such contracts
held in the Principal Life Insurance  Company  Variable Life Separate Account on
Form  S-6 or other  forms  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  and any and all
amendments  thereto and reports thereunder with all exhibits and all instruments
necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact
and agents and his or their  substitutes  being empowered to act with or without
the others or other,  and to have full power and  authority to do or cause to be
done in the name and on behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary or  appropriate  with respect  thereto to be done in and
about the premises in order to effectuate  the same, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 29th
day of January, 1999.

                                               /s/ F. W. Weitz
                                               _________________________________
                                               F. W. Weitz