Star Wars is well known for having fascinating background characters, and Jedi Master Luminara Unduli is no different. Making her first onscreen appearance in Attack of the Clones, Master Unduli had a recurring role in Star Wars: The Clone Wars alongside her apprentice, Barriss Offee. Olivia D’Abo voiced her in this show.
The death of Luminara is believed to have occurred either during Order 66 or sometime afterwards if Star Wars Rebels is anything to go off. Her Wookieepedia page says she likely died between 19 and 18BBY.
So, who is Luminara Unduli in Star Wars? That’s what we’re here to explain. Just a reminder, everything in this article is from Canon.
The Early Life Of Luminara Unduli And Before The Clone Wars
Born in the last years of the Galatic Republic, Luminara Unduli was born on the planet Mirial. As an infant, she was taken to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant after being discovered she was Force-sensitive. In her adult years, she took at least two apprentices, one being fellow Mirialan Barriss Offee. The second is unknown. Luminara was a highly trained healer.
It was decided through an agreement with the Jedi Order that only Mirialan Jedi could train their own people. There is the possibility that Unduli’s second apprentice was also Mirialan. However, this has not been confirmed.
In 22BBY, Luminara was present during a meeting between the Jedi Council and the Supreme Chancellor, Sheev Palpatine, after the attempted assassination of Naboo Senator Padmé Amidala. During the meeting, the possibility of a war breaking out between the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
The Clone Wars
As Jedi, Luminara and Barriss fought in the first battle of Geonosis. Both survived the fight, though there were heavy casualties. Unduli climbed into a gunship with fellow Jedi Masters Saesee Tiin and Shaak Ti.
During an early part of the war, Luminara was present during Mace Windu’s conversation with Palpatine over the disappearance of Rotta, the son of Jabba the Hutt.
Jedi Master Luminara and Barriss often joined forces with Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Unduli and Tano teamed up at one point, and Ahsoka had to learn humility after she threatened Nute Gunray. Luminara tells her that “terror is a weapon the Jedi use.” She also fought Asajj Ventress and survived.
Execution
Towards the war’s end, Jedi Luminara was left hugely shaken by Barriss’s actions. She was the Wookiee planet Kashyyyk when Palpatine issued Order 66. While she survived the conflict, she was arrested and held on Stygeon Prime in a faculty known as the Spire. She was later executed, and her body was used to lure other Jedi to their deaths, but the Inquisitorius.
Luminara’s rumoured survival led Kanan Jarrus and his apprentice, Ezra Bridger, to break into the Spire, where they had a run-in with the Grand Inquisitor, almost losing their lives.
