At What Age Did Anakin Become Darth Vader?

The Star Wars franchise contains many movies, shows, and other forms of media spanning many thousands of years. 

Have you ever wondered about the timeline of some of the major events? Specifically, when did Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader?

Anakin fell to the dark side and became Darth Vader when he was 22 years old.

That said, this turn to the dark side didn’t happen all at once; there were many events throughout his life that could have led to his downfall.

At What Age Did Anakin Begin Jedi Training?

Anakin Skywalker was discovered on Tatooine by Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, in the year 32 BBY. 

At this time, Anakin was a child slave who lived with his mother, Shmi. He was an intelligent child who had been conceived without a father; when Qui-Gon tested his blood, he discovered Anakin had the highest midi-chlorian count of anyone who had been tested. 

This led Qui-Gon to believe Anakin was the prophesied “Chosen One” who would bring balance to the Force.

The Jedi Council argued that Anakin was too old to begin training as a Jedi, and that he already had too many connections. 

They sensed fear and attachment to his mother in him. Though they would not give their blessing, Qui-Gon planned to take Anakin on as his Padawan anyway.

During the subsequent Battle of Naboo, Anakin accidentally destroyed the battle droid control ship, giving Naboo the victory. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon dueled Darth Maul, and Qui-Gon was killed in the battle. 

Obi-Wan was elevated from Padawan to Knight and, following the last words of his Master, was prepared to train Anakin as a Jedi with or without the Council’s permission. 

However, the Council changed course and reluctantly gave Obi-Wan permission to take on Anakin as his Padawan.

All of these events happened when Anakin was just nine years old.

At What Age Did Anakin Marry Padme?

Anakin met Padme Amidala, the young queen of Naboo, at the same time he met Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. The two Jedi had been serving as her escort and protector when they were forced to land on Tatooine, Anakin’s home planet. 

Padme was 14 years old at the time, making her five years older than Anakin. Nevertheless, they formed a fast friendship, which he demonstrated when he gave her a necklace he had made for her.

Following the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Anakin and Padme went their separate ways and didn’t see each other for the next ten years. 

Anakin trained with Obi-Wan, while Padme continued as queen of Naboo before stepping down to become a member of the Galactic Senate. 

In 22 BBY, when Anakin was 19 and Padme was 24, they reunited; Obi-Wan and Anakin were tasked with protecting her after an attempt was made on her life. 

Anakin and Padme spent quite a bit of time together and began developing feelings for one another. Padme told him a relationship would be impossible due to their positions as Jedi and Senator, but later confessed that she loved him.

They both took part in the Battle of Geonosis, which took place shortly thereafter. Following the battle, Anakin was elevated from Padawan to Jedi Knight. 

Padme and Anakin were married in secret shortly after the battle, in 22 BBY, when Anakin was only 19.

At What Age Did Anakin Become Darth Vader?

Over the next three years, Anakin and Padme maintained their secret marriage and fought on various fronts during the Clone Wars. 

During this time, many events foreshadowed Anakin’s eventual fall to the dark side. Some fans suggest that Palpatine/Darth Sidious groomed him from the beginning to embrace the dark side. 

But perhaps more significant was the death of mother when he was 19. He was unable to save her; this fact crushed him and made him vow never to lose anyone again.

Three years later, in 19 BBY, Padme revealed she was pregnant, and Anakin began having nightmares that she would die in childbirth. Palpatine suggested to Anakin that joining the Sith would allow him to save her. 

Shortly thereafter, he fell to the dark side and joined Palpatine, taking on the Sith name of Darth Vader and killing many Jedi during Order 66. This was just three years after he became a Jedi Knight and married Padme. He was 22 years old.

Padme did die shortly after giving birth to Luke and Leia, likely not from complications of childbirth but from having her life force drained by Palpatine.

How Old Was Ahsoka When Anakin Became Darth Vader?

Ahsoka Tano was Anakin’s Padawan during the Clone Wars. She was 14 when she became his Padawan and served with him for three years as she learned the ways of the Jedi.

They had a close bond as student and teacher and were extremely loyal to each other. She was known for being as reckless as her master and not always following orders, a trait she also shared with him.

She eventually left the Jedi Order after being accused and subsequently acquitted of the charges of committing treason. 

Shortly thereafter, she returned to the Jedi and took part in the siege of Mandalore; her and her forces were returning from Mandalore when Order 66 was issued.

She managed to survive the chaos following the Order and, with the help of Captain Rex, was able to go into hiding. She was 17 years old at this time and would not learn the fate of her Master until much later. 

Conclusion

Anakin Skywalker was nine years old when he became Obi-Wan’s Padawan, 19 when he became a Jedi Knight and married Padme, and 22 when he became Darth Vader. 

His own Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, was 14 when she became his Padawan and 17 when he became Darth Vader.