Darth Vader is one of the most iconic characters in Star Wars history, and his life story is told in detail throughout the films. Beyond the content of the films, many fans still want to know more about Darth Vader, such as how tall he was and when he died. To unravel these questions, we must trace his complete life timeline. Understanding Darth Vader's age at each major turning point can more clearly depict his life journey.
| Age Range | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 0–9 (Anakin Skywalker) | Born on Tatooine. Discovered by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Freed from slavery. |
| 10–19 | Trained as a Jedi under Obi-Wan. Fought in the Clone Wars. Secretly married Padmé. |
| 20–22 | Turned to the dark side. Became Darth Vader. Helped destroy the Jedi Order. |
| 23–40s | Served Emperor Palpatine. Hunted remaining Jedi. Oversaw construction of Death Star. |
| Mid-40s (around 45) | Confronted Luke Skywalker. Killed Emperor Palpatine. Died saving his son. |
The Birth of Anakin Skywalker
Anakin Skywalker was born in 41 BBY, during the Galactic Republic's rule and the rise of the Jedi Order. Anakin was born on the desert planet of Tatooine, a distant Outer Realm world far from the Republic's influence and protection. From birth, Anakin's life was filled with hardship. Fatherless, Anakin and his mother, Shmi Skywalker, faced unbearable hardship. They lived a life of slavery, first under the Hutt Gadulla and then under the Toydarian scrap merchant Watto.
At the release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Anakin Skywalker was only nine years old. It was during this time that he met Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, who quickly recognized a remarkable quality in Anakin. Qui-Gon believed Anakin to be the prophesied Chosen One who would bring balance to the Force. It was at the age of nine that Anakin began his first steps toward becoming a Jedi.
Becoming Obi-Wan Kenobi's Apprentice
Qui-Gon Jinn brought Anakin Skywalker to Coruscant, hoping to train him as a Jedi Knight. Although the Jedi Council initially rejected the idea due to Anakin's age, Qui-Gon's death at the hands of Darth Maul sealed his fate. Respecting his master's wishes, Obi-Wan Kenobi pledged to train Anakin, and the Council reluctantly agreed. At just nine years old, Anakin officially became Obi-Wan Kenobi's apprentice.
Anakin and Obi-Wan had a complex relationship. While they shared a brotherly, even father-son-like, bond, Anakin's complex personality increasingly clashed with Obi-Wan's strict adherence to the Jedi Code. This inner tension permeated much of his adolescence.
By the time "Attack of the Clones" premiered, Anakin was nineteen years old. He had matured into a skilled Jedi Padawan. His talent in lightsaber combat had become near-legendary, earning him the admiration of his peers and the concern of the Jedi Council. Despite his extraordinary abilities, Anakin's arrogance and impatience also intimidated and worried them, believing them unworthy qualities of a true Jedi Knight.
The Clone Wars and His Marriage with Padmé
At the age of 19, Anakin Skywalker was drawn into the Clone Wars, a galactic conflict that erupted in 22 BBY following the events of Attack of the Clones. Anakin's actions during the Clone Wars earned him praise and fame within the Order. During this period, he also gained his apprentice, Ahsoka Tano. Their bond was profound, and her eventual departure from the Jedi Order deepened his distrust of Jedi leadership.
Nineteen was also a pivotal year in Anakin's life, arguably the beginning of his future transformation into Darth Vader. In Attack of the Clones, he and Padmé Amidala fell in love while living together on Naboo and Geonosis. Shortly after the Battle of Geonosis, the two secretly married on Naboo, a marriage forbidden by the Jedi Code. Over the next three years, between the ages of 19 and 22, Anakin faced betrayal and political corruption. His concern for Padmé's safety, his disappointment with the Jedi Council's decisions, and his fear of losing his beloved began to weigh heavily on him, accelerating his transformation into Darth Vader.
His Fall to the Dark Side as Darth Vader
When Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith premiered, Anakin Skywalker was 22, about to turn 23. Despite his victory in the Clone Wars, the Jedi Council refused him the title of Master and assigned him to spy on his mentor and close friend, Chancellor Palpatine. This betrayal stung him deeply.
Chancellor Palpatine, also known as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, had spent years training Anakin to become his apprentice. He understood Anakin's fears and exploited them. Palpatine granted Anakin what he desired most: the power to stop death. Torn between his duty as a Jedi Knight and his desire to save his wife, Anakin made a devastating choice. Around the age of 23, he turned to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader.
Darth Vader During the Imperial Reign
From the ages of 23 to 45, Darth Vader served as the enforcer of the Galactic Empire under Emperor Palpatine. His transformation from Anakin Skywalker into a feared Sith Lord, clad in black armor, powered by cybernetic devices, and driven by rage, Vader became a symbol of fear throughout the galaxy.
With the rise of the Empire, Vader played a vital role in enforcing Palpatine's new order. He commanded the Imperial fleet and hunted down the surviving Jedi Knights who fled after Order 66, even confronting his former master.
Despite his terrifying power, this period of Darth Vader's life was also marked by loneliness. He was feared but unloved, powerful but incomplete. Despite this, he remained loyal to Palpatine, who trapped him in a cycle of pain and obedience to ensure his rule. During these twenty years, Darth Vader aged from 23 to 45, it was a period of repression and inner torment. Anakin Skywalker remained deeply hidden beneath his mask.
Darth Vader's Redemption and Death
Darth Vader was already 45 years old when Return of the Jedi premiered. More than two decades had passed since Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side. During these long years, he served the Emperor and represented tyranny throughout the galaxy. Meanwhile, a new hope had been kindled, and Vader's son, Luke Skywalker, began to rise to prominence.
In the fourth year of the Battle of Yavin, Vader's inner conflict reached a peak when father and son confronted Emperor Palpatine aboard the second Death Star. In the ensuing lightsaber duel, Vader initially had the upper hand, but Luke ultimately prevailed, driven by raw emotion and the fear of losing his friends, just as Anakin had been all those years before. As the Emperor began to torture Luke with Force lightning and Luke cried for help, something long hidden within Vader awakened. This father triumphed over the Sith. Without a word, he lifted Palpatine and threw him into the reactor shaft, sacrificing himself to save his son.
Vader's suit was severely damaged in the battle, and near death, he begged Luke to remove his helmet so he could see him with his own eyes. In that quiet moment, Anakin Skywalker was reborn. Shortly thereafter, he died in Luke's arms at the age of 45.
Canon confirms that Darth Vader died in 4 ABY, shortly after the Battle of Endor. His death marked the end of Sith rule and the beginning of the New Republic. It also marked the fulfillment of Anakin Skywalker's tragic life.
Other Details About Darth Vader
How Tall Was Darth Vader?
Darth Vader is one of the most imposing figures in the Star Wars universe. Clad in black armor, his towering stature instills fear in his enemies and rivals.
Even before becoming Vader, Anakin Skywalker was already above average height. As a fully grown Jedi Knight, Anakin stood approximately 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters). His muscular physique stemmed from years of combat during the Clone Wars.
After a near-fatal duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar, Anakin's body was severely damaged, requiring extensive cybernetic reconstruction. Emperor Palpatine's life-support armor not only kept him alive but also added several inches to his height. Darth Vader, with his cybernetic limbs and armored boots, stood approximately 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters). The extra height wasn't just a visual enhancement; it also heightened his intimidating presence, both on and off the battlefield.
Darth Vader's Most Iconic Lines
Darth Vader's presence in Star Wars wasn't just visual; his voice and lines were equally memorable.
Perhaps the most legendary line of all time comes from The Empire Strikes Back (1980): "I am your father."
This shocking line, often mistranslated as "Luke, I am your father," changed the course of the Star Wars saga and redefined the villain. In just five simple words, Vader ceased to be a symbol of evil.
An equally chilling line comes from Return of the Jedi: "You know not the power of the dark side."
This line perfectly captures Vader's inner torment. It's more than a warning to Luke; it's a confession. Other famous quotes from Darth Vader include: "This fellow is strong in the Force," "I find your lack of faith disturbing," and "This will be a day to be remembered." Each line carries a quiet menace, making even the briefest phrases unforgettable.
Conclusion
Darth Vader died at the age of 45, but he experienced a great deal in his relatively short life. From a slave boy on Tatooine to a Jedi prodigy, from war hero to a feared Sith Lord, Anakin Skywalker's journey is one of the most legendary stories in the entire Star Wars saga.
(The above pictures are all from the Internet)
FAQs
1. How old was Darth Vader when he died?
In Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader was 45 years old when he died.
2. In what year did Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader?
Anakin became Darth Vader at the age of 22, during the events of Revenge of the Sith.
3. When was Anakin Skywalker born?
Anakin Skywalker was born in 41 BBY (before the Battle of Yavin).
4. How old was Luke Skywalker when Vader died?
Luke was 23 years old when his father, Darth Vader, died.
