The Real Reason Behind Padme’s Death in ‘Star Wars’ Explained

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20 years ago, on May 19, “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” was re-released in cinemas to mark its 20th anniversary. The demise of Padmé Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) has been a subject of debate among ardent Star Wars enthusiasts, as they feel the reasoning provided for her death was not adequately clarified. This has led fans to concoct their own theories that attempt to make sense out of her death, given the lackluster explanation presented in the movie.

In “Revenge of the Sith,” it’s stated that Senator Amidala died from losing hope to live following her encounter with Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) on Mustafar, according to a medical droid. This interpretation sparked criticism among fans due to Padmé being initially portrayed as a powerful and driven character in the prequel trilogy. Her death, being reduced to the loss of her strong will, was perceived as a squandering of an exceptional character.

Emperor Palpatine (played by Ian McDiarmid) may have drained Padmé’s life force to save Anakin Skywalker during his fierce fight against Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) on Mustafar.

Another heartbreaking theory posits that Anakin was the one who drained Padmé’s life force, driven by his obsession with her. This theory could have upheld Padmé’s character as envisioned by George Lucas, thereby addressing a major criticism of the last film in the prequel trilogy.

How Did Padmé Amidala Die in ‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’?

The fate of Padmé was irrevocable by the time the initial Star Wars trilogy, featuring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, graced movie screens. The challenge for George Lucas lay in revealing Padmé as Luke and Leia’s mother and orchestrating her death. The film Revenge of the Sith serves as the climax of events that set the stage for the storyline and characters in the original trilogy, including Padmé’s hidden pregnancy with twins, Palpatine’s manipulation of Anakin towards the Dark Side, Order 66, and the emergence of Darth Vader.

In the third act of the movie, the destiny of all characters is decisively set, particularly Senator Amidala. Upon discovering that Anakin was part of Order 66 and had murdered young Jedi from Obi-Wan, Padmé embarks on a quest to locate Anakin on Mustafar, a fiery planet. There, she confronts him about the distressing details provided by Master Kenobi. The discussion intensifies, leading to Anakin using the Force to strangle Padmé until she faints.

After the intense duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan, Padmé was escorted onto a ship by Obi-Wan where she drifted in and out of consciousness until it was time for her to give birth. The onboard medical droid announced that while she was stable, there was an enigmatic cause for her unwillingness to live further. Though conscious enough to deliver her twins, Luke and Leia, Padmé passed away shortly afterwards, addressing Obi-Wan in her final moments with, “There’s good in him, I know, I know there’s still…” The interplay between Padmé’s demise and Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader was masterful, but left some fans perplexed as they had eagerly anticipated the significant events leading up to the original film’s story for nearly two decades.

The Theory That Fixes Padmé’s Death and Gives It More Meaning

Among Star Wars enthusiasts, numerous speculations have arisen, with some being plausible as they align with the storyline established by George Lucas across the original and prequel movies. Some suggest that Anakin’s Force-choking of Padmé on Mustafar may have set off a chain of events leading to her death postpartum. Others posit that her demise was a selfless act aimed at shielding their children from the clutches of Palpatine and Vader.

Indeed, the idea that Palpatine played a role in Padmé’s death neatly completes all the puzzle pieces. Palpatine perceived Padmé as a potential obstacle to his scheme of becoming the ultimate ruler of the galaxy. She was unpredictable and highly respected for her leadership qualities, but her relationship with Anakin posed a risk to his objectives.

So long as Padmé was part of Anakin’s existence, he remained resistant to fully devote himself to serving the Emperor and succumbing to the Dark Side. Palpatine desired absolute authority over the Chosen One to prevent any potential threats to his rule. By taking away Padmé, Palpatine aimed to distance Anakin from outside influences and become the only consistent presence in his life. This hypothesis aligns with the dialogue between Palpatine and Anakin during their conversation at the opera.

Palpatine shares with Anakin a tale about Darth Plagueis, a wise Sith Lord who discovered a way to control midichlorians and transfer life force from one person to another, making death avoidable. Although this ability of Darth Plagueis has not been fully confirmed within the storyline, if it is, then Palpatine manipulating Anakin’s life force with Padmé’s could be a possibility. Given Palpatine’s desperation to win Anakin over, using such extreme methods to keep him alive aligns well with his ambitious character.

Padmé Amidala Was Meant To Be More Than the Fate Confirmed in ‘Revenge of the Sith’

The bond between Anakin and Padmé was extraordinarily powerful. It’s understandable that she would be devastated when her beloved partner fell into darkness, but for grief to lead to her demise seems to diminish her character and, quite honestly, squanders the potential of it. Regardless of whether it was the way the character was developed or Natalie Portman’s portrayal, Padmé was fiery, astute, resolute, perceptive, and relentlessly dedicated to combating injustice.

In Revenge of the Sith, the creative team crafted an ending befitting her esteemed legacy for the character. It might seem like a trope, but she had much to cherish: defending democracy amidst the rising danger of tyranny, protecting her unborn children, and assisting in Anakin’s redemption.

In a more impactful way, her death could have significantly deepened the plotline and Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader. It would have been heart-wrenching if Palpatine had manipulated her demise, creating an even darker and more poignant subplot for the Star Wars saga, particularly in “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,” which is currently available on Disney+.

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2025-05-03 22:02