Padmé Amidala of Naboo

### Relatives

Leia Organa of Alderaan (daughter), Luke Skywalker (son), Ruwee Naberrie (father), Jobal Naberrie (mother), Sola Naberrie (sister), Han Solo † (son-in-law), Ben Solo/Kylo Ren † (grandson), Ryoo and Pooja Naberrie (nieces), Shmi Skywalker † (mother-in-law), Cliegg Lars † (step-father-in-law), Owen Lars † (step-brother-in-law), R2-D2 and C-3PO (droid companions)

## Biographical information

### Marital status

Married (to Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader)

## Performers

### Voice

Natalie Portman
Catherine Taber

So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.—Padmé Amidala, *Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith* (2005)

## Story

Padmé was born on the planet Naboo to Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie. She has an older sister, named Sola, and two nieces, named Ryoo and Pooja. Growing up, she met a young man named Palo, and the two became romantically involved. However, they eventually separated as Palo became an artist and Padmé dedicated herself to politics and public service. At the age of 14, Padmé became the Queen of Naboo, the youngest in the planet's history. After the Invasion of Naboo, Padmé's two terms as queen ended, she then served as the senator to both Naboo and Chommell.

Later in life, Padmé became the secret wife of Anakin Skywalker and the mother of their children, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. She died shortly after from the stress of childbirth combined with the knowledge that her husband had become evil, joining the Sith Order. Anakin's fear of losing Padmé to death was what drove him to become the ruthless Sith Lord Darth Vader.

Despite Anakin's actions, before Padmé died she believed there was still good left in Anakin, and that one day he could be saved with the help of their children. Although Padmé did not live to see it, her faith in her husband proved to be correct when he sacrificed himself to save their son, Luke.

## Personality

Padmé is well-loved for her kind and self-sacrificing nature, which evident in her care and concern for all her people regardless of their status. She even bore a close relationship with her handmaidens and, unlike many Senators, also maintained contact with her Monarch, Queen Jamillia. From a young age, she exhibited great maturity and rarely indulged personal desires such as romance, denying the affection and attention of Ian Lago, with the reasoning that Naboo needed her more than he did. She is strong-willed and passionate, making her a persuasive and inspirational speaker. This skill later reveals itself in her speeches as a Senator and most especially when she actively opposes the violence related to the Clone Wars.

Padmé's compassion and empathy seems almost boundless. She wholeheartedly cares for everyone in the galaxy and constantly plumps for diplomacy over violence, believing that everyone deserves to be heard even if she doesn't agree with them. She remains good friends with Mina Bonteri even after she secedes to the Separatists, who tried to have Padmé assassinated numerous times, and is very caring towards her subordinates. She is especially a continual source of kindness and support to Anakin right from the moment they meet. Even when he becomes Darth Vader and strangles her almost to death, she still believes there's good in him.

Padmé's firm belief in democracy and genuine care for her people easily won her the election as queen of Naboo. Unable to deny her people's needs, she accepted Jamillia's invitation to become Senator after her two terms as queen ended. Her popularity allowed her to retain several privileges usually restricted to the monarch of Naboo during her time as a senator, such as allowing her ships to be chrome-plated.

Padmé's strong will and self-restraint are an initial stumbling block in her relationship with Anakin Skywalker, as she initially bluntly refuses to allow any romantic involvement, feeling that a relationship between the two of them would go nowhere and would endanger both of their futures. She sees how difficult it would be besides having the great potential to ruin both their lives. Thus, though it is not easy for her to accept, she attempts to force Anakin to see her perspective and respect her decision. However, upon she believing she was about to die, she finally sees no harm in admitting her true feelings and confesses her love for Anakin. After their unexpected survival, she and Anakin could no longer deny their love. However, once married, she is still well-aware of the risks attached, so both her and Anakin decide to keep their relationship a secret.
Due to the nature of their respective positions within the Senate and the Jedi Order, lengthy separation periods become unavoidable. Although pained by these long separations, Padmé endures this hardship with silence, patience and strength, knowing and understanding fully their respective responsibilities and the magnitude thereof. She has much faith in Anakin and his celebrated skills, yet still worries for his safety.

Padmé's belief in him becomes even more evident when she begins to believe him over the Jedi High Council. When Anakin tells of their manipulations to use him as a spy for their own purposes, she becomes reluctant to even believe Obi-Wan Kenobi, a close friend of theirs. Thus, when Obi-Wan tells her of Anakin's dark deeds under Palpatine, Padmé travels to Mustafar to ask Anakin and reassure herself that what he had said is not true. When her husband confirms her worst nightmares, she still refuses to believe that he could not come back to the light and urges him to do so. Even at her deathbed, Padmé continues to have faith in her husband, speaking of the "good" that still resides within him. Many years later, this belief would be shared with her son. Ultimately, Darth Vader turns on his Sith Master in order to save his son and in so doing, he redeems himself, proving that both Padmé and Luke were right in believing in Anakin's inner goodness.

During both Padmé's reign as queen and her time serving as a senator, she presents herself as an advocate for the Gungans, who are among the natives of Naboo. The relations between the humans and Gungans were precarious at best and it was during the duress presented by the invasion of the Trade Federation that Padmé manages to unite the two groups against a common enemy. She and Gungan Boss Rugor Nass achieve a level of mutual respect, which she carries even for his successor, Boss Lyonie. Padmé strove ceaselessly to ensure that minority groups, such as the Gungans, would carry a voice in the intergalactic Senate and her constant admirable efforts in favor of her people could not be denied.

Much like her husband, Anakin, Padmé is rebellious, headstrong, reckless, impulsive, yet kind, caring, and selfless. She also has a strong sense of justice, honor, and good morals. But of course, like her husband, she despises lying and deception from her friends, allies, and enemies alike. She is far more forgiving than Anakin, being quick forgive people in general, particularly Obi-Wan for constantly lying to her or deceiving her. Although she once lies to Obi-Wan by telling him that she was going to end her relationship with Anakin, it is only to prevent him from figuring out that she was actually going to marry Anakin. Despite this, she is normally a honest person.

## Quotes

I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee!—Padme to the Galactic Senate.

Now, Viceroy, we will discuss a new treaty!—Padme after capturing Nute Gunray

I call it aggresive Negotiations.—Padme to Anakin

**Padmé:** Anakin! Thank goodness you're alright, except for half of your arm. I'll bet Dooku sliced it, didn't he?**Anakin:** Yeah, it was quite a bummer. Yoda came just in time, though.**Padmé** [giggles] Well, don't worry. We'll fix it with a robotic hand, before we get married. [kisses Anakin]—Padme after Dooku escaped Geonosis.

Greetings, honorable Jabba. I am Senator Amidala of the Galactic Congress. I have discovered a plot against you by one of your own. Your uncle will admit he conspired with Count Dooku to kidnap your son and frame the Jedi for the crime.—Padme to Jabba the Hutt

**Padmé:** Perhaps now you will allow the Republic to use your trade routes, and hostilities can come to an end.**Jabba:** «Agreed. A treaty is in order.»—Padme closes negotiations with Jabba the Hutt.

Ever since I've known you, you've been playing with droids.—Padme to AnaKin on the Malevolance.

By the way, your Padawan was brilliant. I trust I'll see you again, General Skywalker?—Padme to Anakin about his padawan, Ahsoka

Obi-Wan… there is good in him… I know. I know there is… still…—Padme's last words

Master Qui-Gon?—Padme awakening as a force ghost.

No. I have to stay, for them.—Padme wanting to see her children.

So this is how it turned out. I wanted to come here myself, but I couldn't get away from Coruscaunt. Sabe and Sola, called every day, making sure it was perfect. Rqoo and Pooja probably showed me hundreds of dolls. Where are Luke and Leia?—Padme's ghost when she arrived at the nursery of Naboo, that never got used.

I... hear crying. **Leia!**—Padme sensing baby Leia crying.

What is this?—Padme finding herself connecting to the force.

[giggle] Very well. As you wish... master. I shall be honored to trust in the force I connect. And I... the beautiful **Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo**... shall find and guide my precious children... myself.—Padme accepting herself as a Force Ghost to find her children and guide them.

Shhh... [camly wailing like a ghost] I am here, Leia.—Padme's ghostly whisper voice calling to Baby Leia

[sighs] I'm so sorry, Leia. But you're going to be okay. I may not be able make complete sense of the force and what it shows me, but this I know. My sweet, Leia. You will be wonderful, strong, and passionate. And most importantly, you will be loved...—Padme's ghost to baby Leia.

At least you're getting more rest than Leia.—Padme's ghost looking at Baby Luke.

Oh, Luke, you should be with your sister. Tatooine can be hard from what I've seen. But it can't all be. And Luke, I know you will grow to be kind-hearted and full of courage. I only met Beru once, but she still made the decision to take you in. That is a kindness I will forever be grateful for.—Padme's ghost to Baby Luke.

He will return. I know it. I promise.—Padme's ghost to the gravestone of Shmi Skywlaker.

**Padmé:** Why, hello there, Anakin. [giggles]**Anakin:** Padmé? You're one with the force, too?**Padmé:** [hugs Anakin with a giggle] I should've known you'd get that.**Anakin:** I... I can't believe it. What are you wearing, anyway?**Padmé:** My beautiful and magical "End Gown" I fond myself wearing it after my funeral. And you see, my hair became a huge wig, it had lots of beautiful flowers and stuff on it.**Anakin:** Wow. Amazing. But I've really missed you a so much.**Padmé:** I've missed you, too. So, you're probably wondering how I knew our children; Luke and Leia.**Anakin:** Let me guess. After giving birth to them, and before dying in childbirth, you came to Tatooine, and the late Alderaan to guide them.**Padmé:** Mm-hmm. That's why I became one with the force. I was worried about Alderran being destroyed, though.**Anakin:** Yeah, well, it was my fault for turing to the dark side for a reason. And now my sacrifice to save Luke from Sidious was a tragedy.**Padmé:** I know.—Padmé's reunion with Anakin in the force spirit realm.

I think they call this the "End Dress". It's really really beautiful. I think Trisha wanted to get an ocean sense. Someone said to me that it was very 'Ophelia'. With the flowers and the hair, it does look like I'm drowning.—Natalie Portman

## Trivia

-She was first mentioned in *Star Wars Episode VI*, and appears in *The Clone Wars* movie and series, *Forces of Destiny*, *Tales of the Jedi*, *Episodes I, II, and III*.

-Some people may believe that she is one with the force, like her children, and secret husband are, but her force ghost is in fan-fiction.

-She is portrayed by Natalie Portman in live-action, and by Catherine Taber in the Movie, and TV series of *The Clone Wars*, and *Forces of Destiny*.