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The answer for a question about Chani's lineage (here) revealed that Stilgar's sister is the grandmother of Chani. Given that Stilgar is generally depicted as a man in the prime of life, this got me wondering how old he actually is. One of the major properties that give spice its value is the ability to prolong human life, although the books never really explain the effect. However, since the Fremen literally eat, breathe, and live with the spice all their lives, it stands to reason that they would get the maximum effect of this property.

How old is Stilgar during the events of Children of Dune, and how does his age compare to the average Fremen lifespan?

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According to the timeline established in the Dune Encyclopedia (see below), Stilgar was born in the year 10,141 A.G. We know from the original Dune novels that Leto I died in the year 10,191 A.G. and that the God Emperor Leto II was born in the year 10,209 A.G.

This means that Stilgar would have been 50 during the events of Dune, 68 at the birth of Leto II (as depicted in Dune Messiah) and 78 when he ascended to the throne, as seen in Children of Dune.

BEN FIFRAWI (10,141-10,228). Most generally described as Stilgar the Fremen or Stilgar the Naib, but in his youth as a wali in Umbu Sietch, known by his birth-name of Tuan. It was not until 10153, when he became a sandrider and accompanied a group of other youths on a raid against a Harkonnen village that he acquired the name by which he would be best known. (His troop name, used only by his comrades at Umbu Sietch, is thought to have been Sahkan—the Fremen name for a type of desert hawk—but verification of this point is difficult to obtain. The evidence found thus far consists of a reference made by a man from that sietch who accompanied Stilgar on jihad.)

The Dune Encyclopedia

and

LETO ATREIDES (10,140-10,191) A distaff cousin of the Corrinos, he is frequently referred to as the Red Duke.

Dune: Appendix IV

and

10140 - LETO ATREIDES (Duke Leto I) born.
10154 - LADY JESSICA born.
10155-10165 GURNEY HALLECK a Harkonnen slave on Giedi Prime.
10158 - DUNCAN IDAHO (the human) born.
10175 - PAUL ATREIDES born.
10191 - The Sardaukar attack on Arrakis kills Duke Leto; Paul and Jessica go into the desert with the Fremen. ALIA ATREIDES born.
10196 - SHADDAM IV abdicates; Paul becomes Emperor.
10200 - FARAD'N (KENOLA) born to Wensicia and Count Dalak Kenola.
10209 - LETO II and GHANIMA born. CHANI dies. Paul goes into the desert, and Alia becomes regent.
10219 - LETO II ascends to the throne.

The Dune Encyclopedia

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  • Before anyone yells at me, all the usual caveats apply about the Encyclopedia being de-canonised by Frank Herbert's son but I've not found anything that directly contradicts Stilgar's birthdate in any of the other canon sources.
    – Valorum
    Nov 12, 2017 at 17:04
  • Given the relative quality of Brian's "contributions" to the universe of Dune I'm happy to ignore him.
    – Ash
    Dec 14, 2021 at 5:49

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