Mother Gothel

Mother Gothel is a fictional character who appears in Walt Disney Pictures' animated film Tangled (2010). The character is voiced by actress and singer Donna Murphy in her voice acting debut; Murphy auditioned for the role spontaneously upon learning from her agent that Disney was auditioning actresses for the film's villainous role. Loosely based on Dame Gothel from the German fairy tale "Rapunzel", Mother Gothel is a vain old woman who hoards the strong healing powers of a magical gold flower to live for many years and remain perpetually young and beautiful. When the flower is harvested to heal the kingdom's ailing queen, its powers are inherited by the king and the queen's beautiful young daughter Rapunzel, removing Gothel's access. With her life suddenly endangered, Gothel attempted to take a single tendril from Rapunzel, but the tendril loses its power when cut, so she kidnaps the infant, imprisoning the princess in an isolated tower for eighteen years while posing as her mother to exploit her powers. To ensure Rapunzel does not leave, she tells her the outside world is dangerous and full of people who might steal her hair to use for themselves.