ERNST & YOUNG LLP                     Suite 3400             Phone: 515 243 2727
                                      801 Grand Avenue
                                      Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2764



                         Consent of Independent Auditors





We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Independent Auditors"
and to the use of our reports dated January 29, 1999,  with respect to Principal
Life  Insurance  Company  Variable  Life  Separate  Account and  Principal  Life
Insurance  Company,  in  Pre-Effective  Amendment  No.  2  to  the  Registration
Statement  (Form S-6 No.  333-71521)  and related  Prospectus of Principal  Life
Insurance Company Variable Life Separate Account -Survivorship  Flexible Premium
Variable Universal Life Insurance Policy.

/S/ Ernst & Young LLP


Des Moines, Iowa
June 24, 1999

Ernst & Young LLP is a member of Ernst & Young International, Ltd.