Star Wars: How Old Padmé Is Compared To Anakin In The Prequels
The relationship between Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker is essential to Star Wars, but how old are they compared to one another during the prequels? While audiences were already familiar with Anakin before the prequels came out, George Lucas' second Star Wars trilogy introduced everyone to his childhood crush and future secret wife Padmé, played by Natalie Portman in all three films.
The Queen of Naboo first met Anakin during a trip to Tatooine, and it didn't take long for Anakin to become enchanted by her. This crush didn't stop there, as Anakin was still infatuated with Padmé when they crossed paths again a decade later. Their tragic love story is at the heart of the prequels, even if the execution of the arc and the chemistry between Portman and Hayden Christensen didn't always work. But, one aspect of the relationship that is often discussed is the age gap between them.
Before diving into the specifics of their ages in each of the prequels and the comparison between them, here's a quick rundown of their age and the timeline. Padmé was born in 46 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) and Anakin's miraculous Force-created birth came in 41 BBY, so Padmé is five years older than him. They do not meet until Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, which takes place in 32 BBY. This makes Padmé 14 years old during the events of the movie, while Anakin is just 9 years old. At this stage, Anakin's crush on the girl he thinks is an angel is rather harmless and not reciprocated by Padmé.
Anakin and Padmé are reunited a decade later in 22 BBY during Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. This time jump makes Padmé a very mature 24 years old, while Anakin is still a Jedi Padawan and teenager at the age of 19. This formidable time in their lives is when the romance between the two sparks. They are married in secret by the end of the movie, forcing them to spend the next three years, until Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, keeping their relationship a secret. When the prequels pick up with their story in 19 BBY, Padmé is 27 years old and a respected political leader, while Anakin is 22 years old and about to turn to the dark side.
Padmé's death at the end of Revenge of the Sith brings an end to her story at just 27 years old. She spent her final moments giving birth to Luke and Leia before losing the will to live. As ridiculed as the moment has become, there is scientific precedent for Padmé's cause of death in real life. Anakin thought learning about the dark side could help save Padmé, but his turn ultimately proved to be what caused her to give up. He went on to spend the next 23 years of his life as Darth Vader before dying in 4 ABY at the end of Return of the Jedi.