How old was Mary Magdalene when Jesus died?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

While the Holy Scriptures and Coptic Tradition provide specific chronological details regarding the life of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, they do not provide a specific age for St. Mary Magdalene at the time of the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

However, we can look at what is known from the Gospels and Church Tradition to understand her stage in life:

1. Her Deliverance: The Gospel records that the Lord cast seven demons out of her. For her to have been possessed and subsequently follow the Lord as a disciple, she would have been an adult of sufficient maturity to manage her own affairs and travel with the other women who ministered to the Lord from their own means (Luke 8:2-3).
2. Her Social Standing: Tradition and liturgical mentions often suggest she was a woman of some means, as she was among those who supported the Lord's ministry. This typically points to a woman who had already reached adulthood.
3. Her Role at the Resurrection: She is the "Apostle to the Apostles," being the first to witness the Resurrection. In the Coptic Church, she is honored as a faithful disciple who stood by the Cross when many others fled.

In Coptic iconography and hagiography, she is generally depicted as a contemporary of the Apostles, likely placing her in her late 20s, 30s, or 40s at the time of the Lord’s death, but an exact birth year is not part of the documented ecclesiastical record. Unlike the Virgin Mary, whose life is strictly chronicled from her birth to her falling asleep, St. Mary Magdalene's age remains a mystery of history.