Star Wars and announced the development of the sequel trilogy, Lucasfilm ultimately decided not to tell the same story as the Expanded Universe. The Skywalker family did continue beyond Return of the Jedi in the new canon, but not in the same way as the Legends timeline, and the fates of several characters were changed. Despite these differences, there are also many similarities between each version of the Skywalker family, creating a fascinating dynasty spanning across two Star Wars timelines.

19 Shmi Skywalker

First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

The first known member of the Skywalker bloodline, Shmi Skywalker was kidnapped into slavery as a child. She eventually married a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars after he bought and freed her, becoming Shmi Skywalker Lars and the stepmother of Owen Lars. Shmi lived a happy life with the Lars family for several years until she was kidnapped and tortured by the Tusken Raiders, and Cliegg lost his leg trying to save her. After being held prisoner for a month, Shmi died and was brought back to the Lars homestead, where she was buried and honored by her new family.

18 Anakin Skywalker

First Appearance: A New Hope

Although she couldn't explain what happened, Shmi gave birth to a son named Anakin Skywalker. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn believed Anakin had no father because he was the prophesized Chosen One, conceived by the Force itself to bring balance to the galaxy. Anakin lived up to this for many years as a great Jedi and a hero of the Clone Wars, but his lust for power and fear of loss led him to the dark side. He became Darth Vader and helped Emperor Palpatine rule the galaxy, but he later sacrificed himself to defeat his master and fulfill the prophecy.

17 Pé Amidala

First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

As the Queen of Naboo, Pé Amidala met Anakin Skywalker when he was a slave on Tatooine, though she was disguised as a handmaiden. The two went their separate ways after the Battle of Naboo, with Pé becoming a Republic Senator and Anakin training to become a Jedi. 10 years later, they reunited when Anakin was assigned to protect Pé, falling in love during their adventures. They married in secret before the start of the Clone Wars and eventually had two children, but Anakin later turned to the dark side and attempted to kill his wife, and she died after giving birth.

16 Luke Skywalker

First Appearance: A New Hope

The son of Anakin Skywalker and Pé Amidala, Luke Skywalker never knew his parents, growing up imagining what they must have been like. Obi-Wan Kenobi took the infant Luke to live with Owen Lars and his now wife, Beru Whitesun Lars, who raised the boy as their own while Obi-Wan watched over him from a distance. Obi-Wan eventually began Luke's Jedi training, which continued under Master Yoda, culminating in the redemption of Anakin Skywalker. Although Luke lost his way after his New Jedi Order was destroyed, he eventually found his way back and sacrificed his life to save the Resistance.

15 Leia Organa

First Appearance: A New Hope

The twin sister of Luke Skywalker, Leia was adopted by Bail Prestor Organa and Breha Organa, making her a Princess of Alderaan. Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi believed she and Luke should be split up to keep the Sith from sensing their presence, but the two eventually learned they were siblings just before the Battle of Endor. Although Luke trained her as a Jedi, Leia dedicated her life to serving the New Republic and later the Resistance that opposed the First Order. Leia sacrificed herself to save her Jedi student, becoming one with the Force and reuniting with her brother.

14 Han Solo

First Appearance: A New Hope

Han Solo was a scoundrel when he met Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, not realizing he would become a cherished member of their family. Rather than leaving to pay off his debts, Han stayed with the Rebellion out of loyalty to his friends, eventually believing in the cause himself. He became a General and led the Rebel strike team at the Battle of Endor, and after the victory celebration, he and Leia were married. Han and Leia later went their separate ways after a terrible tragedy, but the two reunited and made amends before Han was killed at Starkiller Base.

13 Ben Solo (Canon)

First Appearance: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Ben Solo was the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, born one year after the Battle of Endor, and trained as a Jedi by his uncle, Luke Skywalker. Sensing the darkness growing inside his nephew, Luke looked into his mind and was overwhelmed by a vision of Ben destroying everything Luke loved. Believing his master planned to kill him, Ben turned on Luke and destroyed his New Jedi Order, fleeing to serve Supreme Leader Snoke as Kylo Ren. Ben eventually rejected the dark side and returned to the light, sacrificing his own life to save another.

12 Rey Skywalker (Canon)

First Appearance: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Although not a Skywalker by blood, Rey adopted their family name and embraced their legacy. She grew up on Jakku, waiting for her parents to return and imagining they must have had a good reason for leaving her behind. However, her encounter with Kylo Ren caused her to believe that they were "nobody," until she discovered the truth: Rey was the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. Refusing to embrace her Sith heritage, Rey faced her grandfather on Exegol and defeated him for good. Luke and Leia's Force Ghosts later looked on her with pride as she proclaimed herself a Skywalker.

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11 Jaina Solo (Legends)

First Appearance: Star Wars: The Last Command

While Han Solo and Leia Organa only had one child in Star Wars canon, they had three in the Legends timeline, beginning with Jaina Solo. Trained as a Jedi Knight at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, Jaina was eventually proclaimed the "Sword of the Jedi" by her uncle, destined to be the Order's greatest defender. She fought bravely during the Yuuzhan Vong War, became an excellent Rogue Squadron pilot, and fell in love with Imperial Head of State Jagged Fel. The two were eventually married and Jaina was promoted to the rank of Jedi Master.

10 Jacen Solo (Legends)

First Appearance: Star Wars: The Last Command

Jacen Solo was Jaina Solo's twin brother, raised alongside her as a Jedi. He initially disapproved of using the Force for violence, but everything changed when he was tortured during the Yuuzhan Vong War. The experience changed Jacen, causing him to pursue a more active role as a Jedi and help defeat the invaders. Having endured unspeakable trauma throughout his life, and willing to explore dark side teachings, Jacen became the Sith Lord Darth Caedus. Jaina was forced to kill Jacen to save the galaxy, but she believed he had returned to the light in his last moments.