How Old is Voldemort? A Deep Dive into the Dark Lord’s Lifespan
The question of Lord Voldemort’s age is more complex than it initially appears, spanning across decades of the Harry Potter universe. Tom Marvolo Riddle, the man who would become Voldemort, was born on December 31, 1926. He meets his ultimate demise during the Battle of Hogwarts in May 1998. Therefore, at the time of his death, Voldemort was 71 years old. This age doesn’t take into account the various interruptions to his life and the fractured state of his soul which could have arguably changed his aging process. Let’s delve deeper into how his lifespan unfolded and address other related questions.
Voldemort’s Early Years
The Birth of Tom Riddle
Tom Riddle’s birth in 1926 is significant because it overlaps with the time period of the Fantastic Beasts films. In the first film, which takes place in 1926, Tom Riddle is just a newborn. By the time of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, set in 1932, he would be approximately 6 years old. This means we see the very beginning of Voldemort’s existence chronicled in a parallel narrative to the rise of other powerful wizards.
School Years and the Rise to Power
Tom Riddle’s life takes a drastic turn as he attends Hogwarts, showcasing his brilliance and ambition, and this is a turning point in his life. At school, Tom Riddle quickly began experimenting with the Dark Arts, eventually adopting the moniker of Lord Voldemort to disassociate himself with his “muggle” father’s name. His path toward establishing dominance, as the wizarding world’s most feared and dangerous wizard, begins during his years at Hogwarts, and continued afterwards. It is important to note his life after school that led him to the dark forces and led to him fracturing his soul to create Horcruxes.
The First War and Voldemort’s First “Death”
The first rise of Voldemort, characterized by terror and violence, culminates in his attempt to kill the infant Harry Potter. The famous curse backfires, reducing Voldemort to a wraith-like state, a far cry from the formidable wizard he once was. This event marks a significant hiatus in his age-related progression as he was no longer living in the same state. His existence as a fractured soul meant that his “aging” was effectively halted.
Voldemort’s Return and Final Demise
The Resurrection
Years after his apparent death, through a dark ritual involving unicorn blood and the venom of Nagini, Voldemort returns. The body he inhabits was small and childlike. His transformation back to his powerful wizard form was a gradual and gruesome one. However, he is then physically 70 to 71 years old as it was not long before he died in 1998.
The Battle of Hogwarts and Death
The final battle of Voldemort takes place at Hogwarts. It is here that his reign of terror comes to an end, as Harry Potter disarms him, the rebounded curse kills him. At this final defeat, Lord Voldemort was 71 years old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Voldemort’s age and other related details:
1. How old was Voldemort when he first encountered Harry Potter as a baby?
Voldemort was around 54 years old when he attempted to kill Harry Potter as a baby in 1981. This event led to the downfall of his power and began his years as a spirit.
2. How old was Voldemort when he was resurrected in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
Voldemort is resurrected in Goblet of Fire approximately 13 years after the attack on Harry, making him around 67 years old in his new body. However, his appearance was that of a man who had not aged for many years.
3. Was Voldemort’s age affected by his fractured soul?
Yes, it is speculated that fracturing his soul into Horcruxes potentially did have an effect on his aging, by some accounts the act of splitting his soul did reduce his aging process and changed his body to appear more snake-like over the years. Although, we do not have a clear answer, as he continued to age like others.
4. How does Dumbledore’s calling him “Tom” affect Voldemort?
By consistently calling Voldemort “Tom Riddle,” Dumbledore is attempting to remind Voldemort of his humble origins, this is to assert that he is just a man and not the all powerful wizard he claims to be.
5. Why is Voldemort’s name “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”?
Voldemort was so feared that even speaking his name was considered dangerous. Thus, many characters refer to him as “You-Know-Who” or “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”.
6. Did Voldemort have a wife?
Voldemort did not marry. However, Bellatrix Lestrange was deeply in love with him.
7. Did Voldemort love Bellatrix?
No, Voldemort was incapable of love. He only cared for Bellatrix’s servitude and loyalty, not for her personally.
8. How did Bellatrix become pregnant with Voldemort’s daughter, Delphi?
Bellatrix used a love potion on Voldemort to conceive their daughter, Delphi. The process, was out of desperation to have his child.
9. How old was Bellatrix when she died?
Bellatrix died at approximately 46 or 47 years old during the Battle of Hogwarts.
10. How old was Snape when he died?
Severus Snape was 38 years old when he died. Snape was always a few years older than Lily Potter and James Potter and their generation.
11. How old was Harry when he defeated Voldemort?
Harry Potter was just about to turn 18 when he defeated Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts, as the battle occurred in his seventh year at school.
12. How was Voldemort resurrected?
Voldemort was resurrected using a potion created by Pettigrew using unicorn blood and the venom of Nagini. This potion created a new body for him.
13. How did Harry finally kill Voldemort?
Harry successfully disarmed Voldemort, causing the rebounded curse to hit and kill him, ending the long battle.
14. How old was Delphi, Voldemort’s daughter, during The Cursed Child?
Delphi would have been approximately 20 years old in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and that was when she was attempting to bring her father back to life.
15. Why did Voldemort scream when Bellatrix died?
Voldemort’s scream upon seeing Bellatrix’s death was due to the realization of her loyalty and his inability to feel love for anyone. Her death was a reminder of his own mortality. The moment brought the recognition that he was vulnerable and that his path had been built upon the loyalty of others, rather than true power.
In conclusion, while Voldemort’s chronological age at his death is straightforward—71 years old—his lifespan was heavily impacted by dark magic, fragmented souls, and his own complex nature. His journey from a vulnerable orphan to a dark wizard reflects the story’s overall theme that life is more than age.