Padmé Amidala was a senator and former queen of Naboo who became pregnant near the end of the Clone Wars. The identity of the father was a closely guarded secret, leading to much speculation and rumor. In this article, we’ll examine the evidence and see if we can determine who the father really was.
Padmé’s Relationship with Anakin Skywalker
The most commonly believed theory is that Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight, was the father. Padmé and Anakin met when Padmé was Queen of Naboo and Anakin was just a young boy. Years later, they reunited when Anakin was assigned to protect Padmé as she traveled to Coruscant. During this mission, they began to develop romantic feelings for each other, despite Jedi rules forbidding attachments.
Padmé and Anakin attempted to keep their relationship secret, knowing it was forbidden. But they were often seen together, fueling rumors of a romance. And when Padmé became visibly pregnant, many speculated Anakin was the father. However, Padmé denied this, claiming the father was someone else.
Evidence for Anakin Being the Father
Here is the evidence that points to Anakin Skywalker as the father of Padmé’s child:
- They admitted to having romantic feelings for each other
- They were frequently seen together socially before Padmé’s pregnancy
- As a Jedi, Anakin had the means to keep their relationship hidden
- Padmé refused to reveal the identity of the father
- Anakin was deeply emotionally attached to Padmé
This suggests Anakin and Padmé were romantically involved and he could have been the father. However, it is not definitive proof. Padmé directly denied Anakin was the father when confronted by Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Other Potential Fathers
While Anakin seems the most likely candidate, there are other possibilities for who could have been the father of Padmé’s child:
Palpatine
Emperor Palpatine was secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. He was manipulative and powerful, and some theorize he could have used the Force to influence and seduce Padmé. However, there is little evidence of any substantial relationship between them.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan was friends with Padmé and it’s feasible they could have had a secret affair. Obi-Wan helped deliver Padmé’s twins and later took Luke to live with him on Tatooine. But most believe Obi-Wan’s loyalty to the Jedi code makes it unlikely he would have a relationship with Padmé.
Bail Organa
As a senator, Bail Organa worked closely with Padmé and knew her well. He and his wife later adopted Leia. However, Organa seemed to only have a professional relationship with Padmé.
Rush Clovis
Rush Clovis was a senator who had a brief romantic relationship with Padmé when they were young. They reconnected as adults and Padmé even went undercover briefly as his partner. But there are no signs their relationship continued at the time she became pregnant.
Clues from the Pregnancy and Birth
Examining the details of Padmé’s pregnancy and the birth of her children can provide more clues about the father:
- Padmé gave birth to twins – a boy and a girl
- The names of the children were Luke and Leia
- She died shortly after giving birth, suggesting complications
- The children were born healthy and strong in the Force
The fact Padmé gave birth to twins suggests the father could have been Force-sensitive himself, like a Jedi. Anakin being the father would fit this pattern. The names she gave the children also hint at a connection to Anakin.
Putting the Pieces Together
When we compile all the available information and examine it objectively, Anakin Skywalker stands out as by far the most likely candidate for the father. The circumstantial evidence pointing to a secret relationship between them is quite strong. While it’s not conclusive, the preponderance of evidence suggests Anakin did indeed get Padmé pregnant and father her twins, Luke and Leia.
No other potential match for the father fits nearly as well. While others like Palpatine or Obi-Wan have distant possibilities, the timeline, personality traits, and motivations do not line up convincingly. Anakin and Padmé clearly had strong feelings for each other and the opportunities to be together in secret.
Why the Secrecy?
This raises the question – if Anakin was the father, why did Padmé deny it and maintain such secrecy? There are a few likely reasons:
- As a Jedi, Anakin was forbidden to form romantic attachments
- Their relationship had to be hidden to prevent expulsion from the Jedi Order
- Padmé wanted to protect Anakin from punishment or exile
- She feared the reactions of those opposed to the relationship
- Anakin’s turning to the dark side complicated things further
Padmé clearly cared deeply for Anakin. Revealing he was the father would have put him at great risk. So she chose to keep it secret, even at the cost of casting doubt on herself.
Conclusion
Based on all available information, Anakin Skywalker was almost certainly the father of Padmé’s child. The evidence strongly suggests a secret romance between them during the Clone Wars. While Padmé denied this publicly, she had compelling reasons to hide the truth to protect Anakin. Her twins, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, were the product of this forbidden relationship. And their birth signaled the hope that would eventually return balance to the Force.