In “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” Anakin returns to Tatooine 10 years after his departure and attempts to find Shmi, whom he believes is in trouble. He learns Watto sold Shmi to a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars (Jack Thompson) and that the two of them are now married.
Both a canonical reference book titled “Ultimate Star Wars” and the sequel to “Queen’s Shadow,” titled “Queen’s Hope,” shed some additional light on the timeline of Shmi’s freedom. Cliegg purchases her from Watto in 27 BBY, five years after the events of “The Phantom Menace.” Sabe, meanwhile, finds the mark of the White Suns on the door of the home where Shmi used to live. The White Suns is a group comprised of freed slaves now dedicated to freeing those who are still enslaved, and Shmi aids them for a time after her emancipation by Cliegg.
Of course, Shmi ultimately dies in “Episode II.” Timeline-wise, this means she lives for about five years in freedom despite Padmé and Sabe’s failed efforts to help her out themselves.
