Aging the Gods: The Real Ages of Thor, Heimdall, Odin, Hela, and Loki in the MCU

Aging the Gods: The Real Ages of Thor, Heimdall, Odin, Hela, and Loki in the MCU

Introduction

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) presents a vast array of Norse gods and characters, each with a rich history and lore. Among them, Thor, Heimdall, Odin, Hela, and Loki are central figures, but their exact ages are not always explicitly stated in the films. Instead, we can estimate their ages based on the context and lore provided. Let's delve into the estimated ages of these pivotal characters.

Thor: The Mightiest of Gods

In the MCU, Thor is depicted as a powerful hero who has lived for a considerable amount of time. Estimations place him around 1500 years old. This detail receives a mention in Thor: Ragnarok where Thor references his age as 1500 years. While Thadston in Journey Into Mystery provided an Earth-based aging comparison of 35 years as a human equivalent, the actual age in Asgardian years is significantly different. In Asgard, Thor is estimated to be around 1500 years old, akin to a 35-year-old human bodybuilder or boxer.

Loki: The Trickster Prince

Loki, Thor's adoptive brother, is also estimated to be around 1500 years old. This age aligns with Thor's, as they share the same adoptive family, and Odin adopted Loki at a young age. The Earth-based equivalent for Loki would make him a 30-year-old playboy. In Asgard, Loki is thought to be 1070 years old, closer to a middle-aged character.

Odin: The All-Father

As the All-Father and ruler of Asgard, Odin is much older than Thor and Loki. Estimates place his age at thousands of years, potentially as old as 7000 years. In the Earth-based context, Odin is compared to a 75-year-old man. However, in Asgardian years, Odin is estimated to be 15000 years old. Despite his vast age, Odin remains the wise and powerful leader of Asgard.

Heimdall: The Guardian of Bifrost

Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost Bridge, is also ancient, likely in the same age range as Odin. His exact age is not specified in the films, but estimates suggest he is around 8000 years old. In the Earth-based context, Heimdall is portrayed as a 55-year-old uncle. In Asgard, Heimdall is significantly older, with an estimated age of 8000 years old.

Hela: The Goddess of Death

Hela, the Goddess of Death and Odin's firstborn, is implied to be older than Thor and Loki. Her exact age is not provided, but it is suggested that she has existed for thousands of years, potentially making her older than Odin. In the Asgardian context, Hela is estimated to be more than 7000 years old, potentially even older than Odin himself. In the Norse myths, she is the daughter of Loki, and thus, her age could be inferred to be around 2500 years in the MCU context.

Conclusion

While the exact ages of these characters are not explicitly stated in the films, we can make reasonable estimations based on their roles, the context, and the lore. Thor and Loki are both around 1500 years old, Odin and Heimdall are thousands of years old, and Hela is likely older than both.

References

Thor: Ragnarok Thor (2011) Journey Into Mystery Norse Mythology