How Did Padme Die In Star Wars?

Despite being a competent female authority figure, Padme's death in Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith is a vexing and disappointing element that has left fans with unanswered questions. It is hard to comprehend why such a strong character was given a sudden and unsatisfying end, especially considering the potential for her role in the story. So, why did Padme die in Star Wars?

Why Did Padme Die In Star Wars?

Credit: Lucasfilms

Padme died right after giving birth to Luke and Leia - her children with Anakin Skywalker. But how did she die so easily in a world that is technologically advanced enough to let someone like Darth Vader survive horrifying injuries and be relatively functional?

The reason given for Padme's death is that she lost her will to live, suggesting that she was grieving for what her husband had become. This, however, is a deeply unsatisfying answer.

While the prequel trilogy had hinted that Padme was made queen while too young and that she had limited life experience outside of politics, she had proven herself as a competent character, especially in Episode I, A Phantom Menace.

Padme was always warm and caring but, early on, she had shown the capability to be cold and assertive when the circumstances demanded it. As such, it seems rather implausible that she would give up on living, no matter how heartbroken she was.

Padme's death in Revenge of the Sith might have been an instance of bad writing. After all, the prequel trilogy has been criticized for several clumsy choices and cheesy scenes - even if it's a bit of a classic after so many years.

But choosing to kill the trilogy's most interesting female character in such a manner goes beyond a couple of over-the-top lines - and while nothing is confirmed, there are theories suggesting something more complicated might have happened.

It has been noted that Anakin's injuries were too extensive for him to survive. The fact that he receives prosthetics and his signature Darth Vader suit at the same time Padme gives birth to their children and dies could, perhaps, make for more than a striking, tragic sequence.

Many viewers have noted that Darth Sidious who became Darth Vader's master was capable of manipulating life force.

While this is never confirmed, many like to believe that Sidious drained Padme's life force to strengthen Vader, causing him to survive.

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This is an interesting reading that would make the ending of the trilogy doubly tragic; early on, Anakin had recurring dreams about Padme dying in childbirth.

Many of his actions from there on focused on his desire to prevent this outcome. Instead, he self-fulfilled his prophetic dream. If he only survived because of Padme's death, this adds another, tragic layer of meaning which - far-fetched as it is - seems slightly more plausible than death by heartbreak.