Albus Dumbledore (whose middle names are Percival Wulfric Brian) is a favorite of most Harry Potter fans due to his strength, wisdom, and power. The enigmatic headmaster appears in all of the main series books by J.K. Rowling, plus the spinoffs Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
This incredibly old wizard was a father figure for Harry throughout most of the Harry Potter films and a prolific fighter of dark wizards. His magical CV would be a kilometer long. There’s a lot to know: Dumbledore’s age, accomplishments, family, history, etc.
Spoiler Warning: A lot happens in these books and films. If you haven’t finished them, consider coming back once you have.
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Before and After the Deathly Hallows: Age, Life, and More
Most of Albus Dumbledore’s achievements happened before we met him in The Sorcerer’s Stone. Thanks to the Fantastic Beasts films, we learned more about his dealings with Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) and his role in defeating Grindelwald (played by Johnny Depp).
Born in the August of 1881, this distinguished wizard lived a long life.
How Old Was Dumbledore Before the Movies?
Before Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, Albus was a defense against the dark arts professor at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Starting this job around the year 1910, Dumbledore would have been pushing 30 years old.
Later in his career, he would meet a student, a young Tom Riddle (who would one day become Voldemort), and see early signs of the dark wizard’s tendencies. Dumbledore would come to regret letting these signs slip by.
This event overlaps with the wizarding war where Albus had a different dark wizard to worry about, Gellert Grindelwald.
“Fun” fact: Gellert Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore had a romantic relationship.
How Old Is Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts?
Participation in the first wizarding war interrupted Professor Dumbledore’s early tenure at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore’s is 50 years old. At this same time, Grindelwald had achieved dangerous infamy due in part to the elder wand.
Working with Newt Scamander (full name Newton), Dumbledore indirectly guided the young wizard in moving against Gellert Grindelwald in New York City. Albus was initially unable to help first-hand due to an old magical pact with the evil wizard.
How Old Is Dumbledore in the Harry Potter Series?
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter films and books begin with Harry beginning his studies at Hogwarts. The young protagonist reaches school for the first time in the year 1991. Headmaster and living legend Albus Dumbledore is 110 years old in the Harry Potter series when Harry arrives for his first school year.
We told you his life was long.
This titan finally met his end in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Severus Snape killed Dumbledore in the Astronomy Tower on June 30, 1997; Albus was just shy of 116 years old.