25 most heartbreaking Star Wars character deaths of all-time

Shmi Skywalker

This is a death that is perhaps one of the most heartbreaking, as well as the most frustrating on our list. Shmi’s death is a dark one and one of the few to touch on the disturbing theme of torture.

Living as a Tatooine slave during the final years of the Galactic Republic, Shmi became mysteriously impregnated by midi-chlorians, intelligent, microscopic life forces that act as a channel for The Force. She then gives birth to Anakin Skywalker, who is rescued from slavery by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Though Anakin promises to come back to free his mother in a tearful goodbye, Anakin never gets the chance.

Years later, Shmi is kidnapped by brutal Tusken Raiders and tortured. By the time Anakin gets to her, Shmi is seconds from death and passes away before even finishing telling Anakin she loves him. Not only is this a heartbreaking scene because Shmi was never able to know a life outside of slavery, but it’s also where Anakin’s emotions snap and he kills everyone in the Tusken Raider camp, including the women and children.