Exhibit (3)(a)
August 16, 2000



GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company
6610 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23230

Gentlemen:

With reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement 333-
37856 on Form S-6, filed by GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company and GE Life &
Annuity Separate Account III with the Securities and Exchange Commission
covering single premium variable life insurance policies, I have examined such
documents and such law as I considered necessary and appropriate, and on the
basis of such examination, it is my opinion that:

1.    GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company duly organized and validly existing
      under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and has been duly
      authorized to issue individual single premium variable life insurance
      policies by the Bureau of Insurance of the State Corporation Commission of
      the State of Virginia.

2.    GE Life & Annuity Separate Account III is a duly authorized and existing
      separate account established pursuant to the provisions of the Code of
      Virignia.

3.    The single premium variable life insurance policies, when issued as
      contemplated by said Form S-6 Registration Statement, will constitute
      legal, validly issued and binding obligations of GE Life and Annuity
      Assurance Company.

I hereby consent to the use of this letter, or copy thereof, as an exhibit to
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-6 (File
Number 333-37856) and the reference to me under the caption "Legal Matters" in
said Pre-Effective Amendment.

Sincerely,

Donita King
Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
Law Department