How old is Yoda death?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Yoda died at the age of 900 years old in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. He was one of the oldest and most powerful Jedi Masters in the Star Wars universe.

When Did Yoda Die?

Yoda died in 4 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin) in Return of the Jedi. The scene shows Luke Skywalker returning to Dagobah to complete his Jedi training only to find Yoda sick and frail. After sharing some final words of wisdom with Luke, Yoda peacefully passes away and his body disappears as he becomes “one with the Force”.

Yoda’s Age When He Died

In Return of the Jedi, Yoda tells Luke “When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not.” This reveals that Yoda was approaching 900 years old when he died. His exact age is not conclusively stated on screen, but the Star Wars Databank and other official sources confirm Yoda was around 900 years old at the time of his death in Return of the Jedi.

How Long Do Yoda’s Species Live?

Yoda’s alien species is unknown, but they are extraordinarily long-lived. Yoda himself lived to be 900 years old. The only other member of Yoda’s species shown on screen is Yaddle in the prequel trilogy, a female member of the Jedi Council. Very little is known about Yoda and Yaddle’s mysterious species, including their home planet, average lifespan, and special abilities. However, Yoda’s nearly millenium-long life shows that his species can live for centuries.

Yoda’s Backstory

Here are some key details about Yoda’s history and backstory:

Born in 896 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin)

Inducted into Jedi Order at age 3
Trained Jedi for over 800 years
Led the Jedi Order as Grand Master for several centuries

Survived Order 66 and the Jedi Purge in Revenge of the Sith
Went into exile on Dagobah
Trained Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back

Died in 4 ABY at around 900 years old

Yoda had an exceptionally long life even for his species. He trained Jedi for over 800 years, making him one of the oldest and wisest Jedi Masters in the Star Wars mythology.

Yoda’s Role as a Jedi Master

As a revered Jedi Master, Yoda played a central role in the Jedi Order for over 800 years:

Member of the Jedi High Council
Head of the Jedi Council and Grand Master of the Jedi Order
Instructed and trained generations of Jedi

Offered wisdom and guidance on the Jedi way of life
Strong ability to use the Force and skilled lightsaber duelist
Survived multiple galactic wars and conflicts

Instrumental in the Clone Wars, training clone troopers and guiding the Republic

Yoda’s wisdom guided the Jedi Council for centuries. He trained younglings and padawans in the ways of the Force. As an incredibly powerful and long-lived member of his species, Yoda exemplified the Jedi Code like no other.

Yoda’s Exile on Dagobah

After the Jedi Purge depicted in Revenge of the Sith, Yoda was one of the few Jedi to survive Order 66 and the destruction of the Jedi Order.

Escaped to the swamp planet Dagobah
Lived in exile there for over 20 years
Waited for the time when “another Skywalker” (Luke) would need training

Kept his presence hidden from the Empire until the events of The Empire Strikes Back

On Dagobah, Yoda kept the ways of the Force alive while in hiding. His Jedi training of Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy was instrumental to Luke becoming a Jedi Knight and confronting Darth Vader and the Emperor.

Yoda’s Death in Return of the Jedi

In Return of the Jedi, a dying Yoda summoned Luke Skywalker to complete his Jedi training. When Luke arrived on Dagobah, Yoda had fallen severely ill and weak:

Luke asked “Master Yoda, you can’t die.”
Yoda responded “Strong am I with the Force. But not that strong.”
He confirmed to Luke “Twilight is upon me, and soon night must fall.”

Yoda told Luke “When gone am I, the last of the Jedi will you be.”

After reassuring Luke that the Force runs strong in his family, Yoda died. He closed his eyes, his body disappeared, and he became one with the Force. This marked the end of Yoda’s exceptionally long life as one of the greatest Jedi Masters.

Yoda’s Legacy and Impact on Star Wars

Though no longer living, Yoda’s legacy extended beyond his death in Return of the Jedi:

Completed Luke Skywalker’s training so Luke could defeat the Empire
His teachings and wisdom guided Luke’s founding of the New Jedi Order
Continued appearing as a Force spirit to Luke in the years after his death

Remained an iconic and beloved character in the Star Wars franchise

Yoda’s influence as a wise teacher shaped the direction of Luke Skywalker’s life and the future of the Jedi Order. He exemplified the Jedi way of life through his actions and words. Yoda’s legacy lives on through Luke and the continued presence of the Force.

Yoda Quotes About Death

Here are some famous Yoda quotes from the Star Wars films about death and becoming one with the Force:

“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.”
“Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.”
“Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed that is.”

“Through the Force, things you will see. Other places. The future…the past. Old friends long gone.”
“Twilight is upon me, and soon night must fall. That is the way of things…the way of the Force.”

These quotes summarise Yoda’s wisdom and perspective on mortality. He believed that death was not something to fear or mourn. As a Jedi Master, he understood death as a natural part of existence and becoming one with the Force.

How Does Yoda Die in the Films?

There is some confusion over how Yoda dies because his death was portrayed differently in the film and novelization of Return of the Jedi. Here’s a comparison:

In the Film

Yoda grows sick and weak laying on his deathbed
He speaks his final words to Luke Skywalker

Lays down, closes his eyes and stops breathing
His body disappears as he becomes one with the Force

This portrayal shows Yoda dying of old age and natural causes.

In the Novel

Yoda decides to purposely “give up his last breath” and die through a Jedi technique
He assures Luke “Soon will I rest. Forever sleep.”
Lays down and consciously “let go of the Force”

The novel depicts Yoda making the choice to die by letting go of the living Force. This highlights his control over the transition.

So while the film shows a natural death, the novel emphasizes Yoda’s agency in the process. But both portray him dying of old age and willingly becoming one with the Force.

Yoda’s Species and Homeworld

Yoda’s alien species and home planet remain a mystery in Star Wars lore. Here’s what we know:

Unknown alien species with green skin, large pointed ears, clawed hands
Very long lifespan compared to humans
Powerful affinity for the Force

Yoda was a male, Yaddle was a female of the same species
Homeworld and origin unknown
Extremely rare – Yoda and Yaddle only two shown in films

Some Star Wars legends sources suggest Yoda’s home planet may have been a swamp world. But his species and origins have never been definitively revealed. They remain an intriguing mystery in the Star Wars universe after decades of storytelling.

Data Table of Known Members of Yoda’s Species

Name	Gender	Age	Role
Yoda	Male	900 years	Jedi Master
Yaddle	Female	400-500 years	Jedi Master
Baby Yoda (Grogu)	Male	50 years (infant)	The Mandalorian

This table summarizes the only three members of Yoda’s species shown in current Star Wars canon.

The Child “Baby Yoda”

A new character nicknamed “Baby Yoda” or Grogu recently appeared in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. What’s known about this young member of Yoda’s species:

A male infant around 50 years old
Force-sensitive – can use Force abilities like Yoda
Taken in by the Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin

True name is Grogu, revealed in Season 2
Being protected from the Imperial Remnant
May offer clues about Yoda’s species in future

This rare infant of Yoda’s kind has become a fan favorite. Baby Yoda’s future, backstory and origins are still to be revealed in upcoming Star Wars stories.

Unanswered Questions

Yoda’s death in Return of the Jedi resolved his role in the Skywalker saga. But some mysteries remain about Yoda’s species and backstory:

What is name of Yoda’s species?

How long can his species naturally live?
Why are they so attuned to the Force?
What is the home planet of his species?

Why are they so rare in the galaxy?
How did Baby Yoda (Grogu) survive Order 66?
How will Baby Yoda factor into future Star Wars lore?

Fans continue to theorize about these unanswered questions. Perhaps future films, novels or TV series will reveal more about where Yoda came from and the secrets of his powerful ancient species.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Yoda died at around 900 years old in Return of the Jedi, marking the end of a long, storied life as a legendary Jedi Master. His death was peaceful, showing his acceptance of becoming one with the Force. Yoda’s legacy and wisdom lived on through Luke Skywalker and the Jedi Order. He exemplified the Jedi way of life through his mastery of the Force over nearly a millennium. While many details remain unknown about his species, Yoda remains one of the most renowned and beloved Star Wars characters of all time.