I’m having a lot of Padme feels rn.
Because like she spent her whole life fighting for people??? She was 14 when she became queen. A 14 year old steered a planet through occupation, undid generations of racial animus, and maintained effective rule beyond that crisis. Then, we she was relieved of duty, she accepted the job of senator even though she was weary and would be away from home for months on end.
She was the embodiment of the Republic. Just, fair, kind, but not averse to risk. Padme always knew what the best course of action was to benefit her people while also being prepared to face the consequences. War was her worst enemy because she saw the suffering it could cause during the blockade. On Tatooine, she saw what could happen if democracy disappeared: rampant crime, starving mothers, enslaved children. She would rather sacrifice her life than see such a horrible fate fall onto the Republic, and she did.
Padme was the Republic. When she died, so did it, as did all the good in the galaxy. But, even her final acts in life were dedicated to protecting the galaxy. Trying to contain Anakin’s wrath on Mustafar before he could suffocate the last flames of hope remaining after Palpatine’s ascendance was her penultimate service to the people she had served. Her final act was to give the galaxy all she had left to sacrifice. Luke and Leia were given their mother’s last breath with which they were given her mission: restore peace, redeem Anakin, find balance, protect the innocent.
From the moment she was born to her deathbed on Polis Massa, Padme Amidala was a great champion of liberty. When the Age of Heroes came to it’s dismal end, she was the last one to still have hope. Her faith is what gave rise to the Rebellion and it is what will, one day, finally bring lasting peace to the galaxy again.