Padmé Amidala, played by Natalie Portman, is a significant character in the Star Wars universe, known for her roles as queen, senator, and advocate for peace. Throughout her life, Padmé Amidala championed the rights of the Naboo people and later fought for democratic values and peace in the Galactic Senate. Her legacy is defined by her bravery in defending her people during the Invasion of Naboo and her unwavering commitment to justice and diplomacy in the Senate.
Early Life
Padmé Naberrie was born on the Mid Rim World of Naboo to Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie. Padmé Naberrie was their younger daughter and sister to Sola Naberrie. As a child, she enjoyed baking and frequently accompanied her father on his humanitarian missions, which influenced her later dedication to helping others.
Ascent to the Throne
Padmé did not belong to a noble family; but from an early age, she was recognized as a brilliant and gifted girl, dedicated to public service. She attended the Theed Royal Academy to prepare for a career in political leadership. At the age of twelve, she served a two-year term as an Apprentice Legislator in Theed, the capital city of Naboo. At fourteen, she began her campaign as “Candidate Amidala” to be the next Queen of Naboo, opposing Sandrassa, the current queen running for re-election. Padmé won the election and took the regnal name “Amidala.”
Life as a Queen
Padmé’s life significantly changed after the election. At her coronation, she was given a tour of the Theed Royal Palace by the now-ex-Queen Sandrassa, who advised her to have good relations with Senator Sheev Palpatine. At night in her room, she did not allow any guards, which displeased Panaka, but she did allow Tsabin, her decoy, to sleep in the same room as her for her security.
The next day Padmé meets her handmaidens who pledge themselves to her. All of them change their names to keep anonymity, and Amidala goes by Padmé. Her handmaiden Sabe looks similar to Amidala, so she is used as a decoy. Allowing Amidala to roam around freely if she desires, as Sabe takes her place as Queen. This trick was also used to keep Padmé safe; only a few people knew this secret.
Crisis on Naboo
The first crisis Amidala sees during her reign as Queen is the Trade Federation trying to invade Naboo, disguising it as a trade disagreement. Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray set up a blockade around Naboo and sent a transmission to Queen Amidala threatening her to sign a treaty. Upon receiving the transmission, Padmé orders Panaka to find out the real motive behind this blockade. After analyzing the proposed treaty, the Queen realizes it is a way for the Trade Federation to take control of Naboo without getting the Republic suspicious. Padmé calls Senator Palpatine to understand the situation better and by the time their call ends, Panaka alerts everyone that the Trade Federation has blockaded Naboo.
With the blockade, the situation on Naboo worsens as the current situation of the farmlands has only one week of food left. Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum sends ambassadors to negotiate with the Trade Federation. As the ambassadors reach the Trade Federation, the Viceroy deploys battle droids on Naboo. Captured Queen Amidala watches helplessly as they take control of the planet. The Viceroy tries to kill the ambassadors, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. Realizing the Trade Federation’s intentions, the two Jedi escape from the ship and go to Naboo. There they free the Queen and her entourage from the Trade Federation’s battle droids, and the group flees the blockaded Naboo aboard Queen Amidala’s royal starship.
Meeting Anakin Skywalker
While escaping, the ship’s hyperdrive generator is damaged by the Federation’s battleships around the planet, causing them to make an emergency landing on Tatooine. Sabe takes Amidala’s place as queen on Tatooine so Padmé can find the real intentions of Qui-Gon. The Jedi Master, along with Padmé and Jar Jar Binks, goes out to find the piece they require and reach Watto’s shop where Anakin Skywalker works. The group meets Anakin, and after some time talking, he takes them to his home to meet Shmi Skywalker and the protocol droid he made, C-3PO. Padmé and young Anakin become friends after spending time with each other.
Addressing the Senate
After fixing the ship, the group, along with Anakin, reaches Coruscant. There, Queen Amidala addresses the Senate and, seeing the problems with it, she calls for a Vote of No Confidence in Chancellor Valorum’s leadership. An election takes place where Palpatine emerges victorious. After the election, Padmé decides to go back to Naboo against the advice of the Senate and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.
Taking Back Control of Naboo
After getting back on Naboo, Padmé seeks out the Gungans to help her take control of Theed. Traveling through the swamps of Naboo, Padmé manages to find the sacred place where the Gungans are hiding from the Trade Federation. It takes some effort, but she convinces them to help her. Padmé, along with the Gungans, Panaka, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and other members of her entourage attacks the battle droids in the city, taking back its control. After the invasion ended, Queen Amidala helped with Naboo’s recovery for the remainder of her reign.
Serving Naboo as a Senator
After serving as Naboo’s queen for two consecutive terms, she was asked by the people of Naboo to continue serving as their queen for a third term. Padmé declines the offer and steps aside for her elected successor Reillata. The new Queen, not long after her coronation, asks Amidala to serve as the representative for Naboo and the other worlds in the Chommell sector in the Galactic Senate. A request that she could not refuse. Not long after becoming a Senator, Amidala reaches Coruscant to vote on the Military Creation Act. However, upon her arrival, her cruiser is hit, and several of her guards, including Corde, her body double, die. It was later discovered that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by Count Dooku. After the assassination attempt, Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker were tasked to protect her.
The Secret Affair
While Anakin Skywalker is tasked with protecting Amidala, their closeness grows. To find out who attempted to assassinate the Senator, Obi-Wan reaches Kamino to look for answers while Anakin stays behind with Padmé. To keep the Senator safe, Anakin takes her to the Back Country of Naboo where they spend time getting to know each other. Even though the Jedi are forbidden from having attachments, they both secretly wed in Naboo. However, their passionate love story has a tragic ending.
Role in the Clone Wars
During the Clone Wars, Padmé played an essential role in the negotiations to end the war and maintain peace in the Galaxy. As a Senator and Representative of Naboo, she did everything in her power to fight for her people. Despite growing dangers like the Separatist army and the rise of Palpatine, Padmé remained a firm advocate for the Republic’s ideals.
Meeting on Mustafa
After the birth of the Galactic Empire, Obi-Wan comes to meet Amidala to inform her that Anakin has turned to the dark side. However, she refuses to believe him and leaves to find Anakin on Mustafar. Obi-Wan hides in her ship, and Padmé learns about this after she lands on Mustafar. Immediately after landing, she confronts Anakin only to realize Obi-Wan is right about his descent to the dark side. Anakin, seeing Obi-Wan with Padmé, gets angry, believing his wife has brought the Jedi to kill him. In his anger and rage, he chokes her using the Force, and Padmé falls unconscious.
Death
After falling unconscious, Padme is brought to the medical facility in Polis Massa, where she gives birth to twins, Luke and Leia. Despite being completely healthy, Padme was dying and the medical droid could not understand the reason. The medical droid claims that despite being completely healthy, Amidala has lost the will to live after being heartbroken from the events of Mustafar and Anakin’s fall to the dark side, which is why she is dying, only surviving long enough to deliver her twins. Her funeral was attended by hundreds of people who mourned the loss of their beloved senator and former queen.
