What Can We Learn from 42F "Cinderella", the Wolf of Yellowstone?

Wolves are often seen as the epitome of strength, power, and teamwork. Today, I want to share an incredible story from the heart of Yellowstone—one that shows us what true leadership looks like. It’s the story of Wolf 42F, better known as the "Cinderella Wolf." Her life was filled with trials, resilience, and triumph, and while she walked on four paws, the lessons from her journey are timeless and universal. 

You Don’t Need to Be Born a Leader 

Wolf 42 wasn’t born into leadership. She wasn’t destined for greatness from the start. In fact, her early life was anything but easy. She was one of 31 wolves relocated to Yellowstone as part of a wolf repopulation project, and her older sister, Wolf 40, ruled the pack with an iron jaw. Dominating, controlling, and aggressive, Wolf 40 had no qualms about asserting her power through fear. 

Unlike many of the pack members who either fled or submitted to the cruelty of Wolf 40, 42F stayed. But not because she was weak—far from it. She stayed because she had a vision for something better, for the pack and for herself. She patiently endured and observed, waiting for her moment. 

In 1999, both sisters mated with the dominant male in the pack, Wolf 21, known as the "Super Wolf." He was a legendary leader in his own right—strong, fearless, and noble. Many researchers and biologists studied 21M, and observed that in his prime he never lost a fight with another male, but he also never fatally injured or killed his opposition either. Unlike Wolf 40, he didn’t need to exert violence to earn the respect of his pack. The contrast between these wolves laid the foundation for something remarkable to happen. 

Rising in Adversity 

The spring following their mating, tragedy struck. Wolf 40 attacked 42F's den, slaughtering her pups and nearly killing 42F in the process. But 42F did not give up. She remained in the pack, earning quiet respect from the others. Slowly, the pack began gravitating toward her calm and kind nature. Even the dominant male, 21M, seemed to prefer the company of 42F. 

When the next spring came, Wolf 40 once again tried to destroy 42F’s pups. But this time, 42F fought back, defending her pups and herself. With help from a few pack members, she overpowered 40F, leaving her sister fatally wounded. When Wolf 40 died, her own litter was left without a mother. In an extraordinary act of compassion, 42F took in her fallen sister’s pups alongside her own, raising them all. 

Through this act of resilience and empathy, Wolf 42 became the pack’s highest-ranking female, and the pack grew into the largest ever recorded in history—36 strong. 

What can we learn?

Leadership isn’t about being born into power; it’s about stepping up when the time is right, leading with empathy, and lifting others through difficult times. 

The Power of Collaboration 

Even as the dominant female, 42 didn’t lead with brute force like her sister once had. Instead, she led with collaboration. Doug Smith, a biologist studying the pack, described how 42F would walk among her wolves before a hunt, almost as if she were whispering instructions, positioning each wolf strategically for success. 

She trusted her younger wolves to chase down prey while she stayed back, guiding the process. Her leadership wasn’t about doing everything herself but rather empowering others to contribute. It was about trusting the pack and working together toward a common goal. 

What can we learn?

Good leaders trust their team. They understand that they can’t—and shouldn’t—do everything themselves.
They empower others, guide from the shadows, and trust in the strengths of those around them. 

A Leader Leaves a Legacy 

42F’s leadership didn’t end with one heroic act. In the years that followed, she continued to nurture her own pups, as well as those of her daughters and nieces. She shared dens with other pack members, raising multiple litters of wolf pups and ensuring the pack’s survival through her nurturing and collaborative spirit. 

By the time she passed, Wolf 42 had not only led the largest pack ever recorded, but she had left behind a legacy of strength, compassion, and teamwork. Her story is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t have to come from dominance or intimidation. True leadership is about resilience, collaboration, and lifting others up. 

What can we learn?

The greatest leaders don’t just lead for today; they build a legacy that endures through the people—or pack—they’ve inspired and nurtured along the way. 

"A Valley Vigil", Bronze sculpture of 42F - "Cinderella" by George Bumann

Lead Like the Cinderella Wolf 

Wolf 42 wasn’t born into leadership, but she became one of the most respected wolves in Yellowstone. Her story shows us that real leadership is about more than authority or power. It’s about protecting those who depend on you, working with others to achieve greatness, and building something that lasts. 

So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge or an opportunity to lead, remember the the story of Cinderella the Wolf of Yellowstone.

Leadership isn’t about being the loudest or the most dominant—it’s about lifting others up, working together, and leading with empathy and strength.