How Old Was Voldemort When He Died: Who Plays the Role of Voldemort?

By Sirjan Chetri Last updated Dec 16, 2022

The audience was first introduced to Lord Voldemort, the evilest wizard in the Wizarding World, in the Harry Potter series. Lord Voldemort had spent years plotting his ascent to power and takeover of both the Muggle and Wizarding worlds; however, how old was he in the Harry Potter movies?

The first book in a series of seven books chronicling the life of “The Boy Who Lived” and his fight against Voldemort was published in 1997 under the title Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

This book introduced readers to the Wizarding World and was the first in the Harry Potter series. The Harry Potter book series quickly became a phenomenon all over the world, and it didn’t take long before it was adapted into a film for theatrical release.

The Harry Potter film series was distributed in theatres between the years 2001 and 2011, with the seventh and final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, being adapted into two separate films.

Much like the book series, the film adaptations were a smashing commercial and critical success. As a result of the Harry Potter films, the audience was able to get a more in-depth look at the Wizarding World, including its happenings, characters, and other aspects.

However, this also gave rise to a few questions regarding the film’s primary characters and the backstories of their lives, as not all of these aspects were covered.

One example of this is Lord Voldemort, who left viewers wondering how old he was throughout the entirety of the Harry Potter series, including flashbacks.

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When Voldemort First Appears in Harry Potter, How Old Was He?

Voldemort made his first appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, where he is revealed to have possessed Professor Quirrell’s body, which he used to try to obtain the Philosopher’s Stone, which was being kept at Hogwarts and to drink unicorn blood, as hosting Voldemort’s soul was weakening Quirrell’s body, and the Dark Lord required him to be strong.

All of this occurred during Harry’s first year at Hogwarts; however, the books and films may have different chronologies. The Harry Potter story spans seven years (not including the epilogue, which takes place 19 years after the events of Deathly Hallows), but the chronology of the books and films has been debated for decades.

The novels of Harry Potter take place between 1991 and 1998, while the films are said to take place between 2001 and 2008. According to the books, Tom Riddle was born on December 31, 1926; therefore, he was 65 years old when he first appeared in the Harry Potter series (as Harry arrived at Hogwarts in 1991).

Now, it is unknown when Tom Riddle was born in the timeline of the films, but if they simply adapted the events of the films to a more modern setting, it is safe to assume that Voldemort was also 65 years old when he first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

How Old Was Voldemort When He Died?

During the Battle of Hogwarts, the battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort reached its climax in the final book and film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (in the film series, it occurred in Part 2 of Deathly Hallows).

Unbeknownst to Voldemort, Harry now controlled the Elder Wand, giving him the upper hand; thus, The Boy Who Lived finally defeated the Dark Lord.

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Deathly Hallows is set in 1998 in the books and 2008 in the films, which means Voldemort was 71 years old when he died and, when the Battle of Hogwarts occurred in May, as each book and film in the series covers a school year.

Who Plays the Role of Voldemort?

Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes is an English film producer, director, and actor. He was a Shakespeare interpreter who excelled onstage at the Royal National Theatre before moving on to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He has won a British Academy Film Award and a Tony Award, as well as been nominated for two Academy Awards and an Emmy Award. Voldemort is played by Ralph Fiennes.