The forbidden love between Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala is one of the most crucial relationships in all of Star Wars and one of the main plot points around which the prequel trilogy revolves around. Now, we know Amidala was older than Anakin, but how old were they when they first met, and how long did it take for them to fall in love?
Padme was 14, and Anakin was 9 when they first met. There was an instant spark between them, and young Anakin was infatuated by Amidala. However, their love blossomed a decade later, when they were 24 and 19, respectively, shortly after which they married in secret.
Now, their entire relationship was a secret due to the strict Jedi Order rules that imply a Jedi ought not to have close relationships. Still, their love was too strong, and Anakin would break any rule he needed to, just to be with the love of his life – and vice versa. Here’s everything you need to know about Padme’s and Anakin’s ages at every crucial point in their story.
When Were Anakin And Padme Born?
Anakin Skywalker was born in 41 BBY, and grew up on the planet of Tatooine as his home. He was born to Shmi Skywalker, a slave on Tatooine owned by Gardulla the Hutt, and later Toydarian Watto. While it was initially believed that Anakin was born on Tatooine, her mother actually moved to the planet after his birth while he was still a toddler.
Also, it’s believed that Anakin Skywalker has no father. He is the most Force-sensitive individual in the galaxy’s history, having the highest Midi-chlorian count in his organism. For that reason, it is believed that Anakin was conceived miraculously by the Midi-chlorians themselves.
On the other hand, Padme was born in 46 BBY, five years before Anakin, on a planet called Naboo. Her real name was Padme Naberrie, and she was born to a humble but kind family. Ever since she was a child, Padme expressed a great desire to help others, traveling with her father to other planets that were in need of help.
Not long after, when she was only about eight years old, Naberrie got involved in politics, and at age 14, she nominated herself to become the new Queen of Naboo. She used the alias “Candidate Amidala,” as it was common practice on Naboo to stay anonymous so that their social background would play no role in the people’s choice, only their program, and politics.
Shortly after that, she became Padme Amidala, the new Queen of Naboo, and met Anakin while visiting Tatooine, but more on that in the next heading.
How Old Were Anakin And Padme When They First Met?
At one point, Queen Amidala was traveling across the galaxy when a starship malfunctioned due to damage forcing an emergency landing on Tatooine. Interested in the desert planet, Amidala disguised herself as Padme, a common civilian, and went on to explore with Qui-Gon Jinn at her side.
Jinn led her, the droid R2-D2, and their companions to the spaceport of Mos Espa, claiming it was the best place on Tatooine for “those who do not wish to be found.” Anakin worked there on pod repairs for his master, which is where the two met for the first time.
Seeing that this all happened during Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, which took place in 32 BBY, that means the Queen of Naboo was 14, and Anakin was 9 when they first met.
The boy was immediately captivated by Amidala’s beauty, asking if she was an “angel from the moons of Iego.” She smiled at him and thought he was quite weird but sweet nevertheless. They quickly formed a friendship over the next couple of days, but it wouldn’t blossom into a love for another decade.
At one point in the film, Anakin told Padme, “I’m going to marry you someday.” Boy, was he right.
How Old Were Anakin And Padme When They Fell In Love?
Fast forward ten years to 22 BBY, when the movie Attack of the Clones took place. Anakin was a 19-year-old Jedi padawan in training, still quite irresponsible and wild. On the other hand, Padme Amidala was already a Queen of Naboo for a decade despite being just 24 years old.
That’s when the two met again. Right from their first encounter, it was clear that there was chemistry between Anakin and Padme despite their slight age gap. Although I have to admit, I’m not sure how well the chemistry between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman worked. Nevertheless, it certainly fired on all cylinders between Amidala and Skywalker.
They fall in love shortly after, and throughout the entire movie, they keep it a secret. She keeps it a secret because she is a responsible woman that ought to find a similar man – not some guy who isn’t even allowed to be with her. And, of course, Anakin keeps it a secret due to the rules posed by the Jedi Order. He was not to have close relationships, especially not romantic ones.
That didn’t stop them from getting involved, falling madly in love, and eventually getting married by the end of the movie. The Jedi thought Anakin was just escorting the Queen back to her home, but when they got to Naboo, Skywalker and Amidala secretly got married on a picturesque lake. At the time, they were still 24 and 19, respectively.
How Old Were Anakin And Padme When She Died?
The final movie of the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, happens three years later, in 19 BBY. At the time, Padme was 27, while Anakin was 22, and they were already secretly married for three years. That’s when things took a wrong turn.
Padme Amidala was pregnant but sick, and Anakin’s inner rage and negative emotions already had him on the brink of turning to the Dark Side. The terminal illness of the love of his life pushed him even further down the hole. Anakin believed that exploring the Dark Side might hold the secret to eventually saving Padme’s life.
He was wrong, though, as it only made matters worse. The Dark Side corrupted Anakin, and despite Palpatine’s promise to save Amidala’s life, she died shortly after at the young age of 27.
Padme Amidala died after giving birth to Anakin’s children, Luke and Leia. However, knowing that Anakin had turned to the Dark Side, Amidala was weak and heartbroken. It led to her losing the will to live, after which she passed away.
Around that same time, Anakin’s duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi happened on Mustafar, which had Skywalker lost most of his limbs and guzzled in a river of lava. Everyone, including Kenobi, though he died there. And, he did, in a way. Anakin Skywalker died, but Darth Vader was born.
The tragic love story of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala ended when they were just 22 and 27, respectively.
