Although he would later become an important figure in the galaxy, Skywalker came from humble origins; he spent the first years of his life on Tatooine as a slave along with Shmi Skywalker, his mother. Skywalker's life changed forever, when, in 3 ArS, he crossed paths with Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. This meeting eventually gave Skywalker the opportunity to participate in and win the Boonta Eve Classic podrace, and, thus, since Jinn won his bet against Anakin's owner, the Toydarian Watto, for Skywalker's freedom, Anakin's life as a slave came to an end; however, he was forced to leave his mother behind.