No, Voldemort was not a Mudblood. He was a half-blood wizard.
Understanding "Mudblood"
The term "Mudblood" is a highly derogatory and offensive slur used in the wizarding world to describe a witch or wizard born to Muggle parents. It literally translates to "dirty blood" and reflects the prejudiced belief that those without pure wizarding lineage are inferior.
Voldemort's True Blood Status
Despite his fierce advocacy for pure-blood supremacy, Voldemort himself was not of pure-blood descent. His parentage was:
- Mother: Merope Gaunt, a pure-blood witch and a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin.
- Father: Tom Riddle Sr., a Muggle.
This mixed heritage, with one magical parent and one Muggle parent, officially classifies him as a half-blood.
Initial Perceptions and Evolving Understanding
Interestingly, when Tom Riddle (Voldemort's birth name) first arrived at Hogwarts from an orphanage, some might have initially perceived him as Muggle-born due to his non-magical upbringing. However, as his immense magical talent and connection to the wizarding world's most ancient families (through his mother's lineage to Slytherin) became apparent, his true status as a powerful half-blood became undeniable. His own discovery and embrace of his Gaunt heritage solidified his understanding of his true blood status, even as he hypocritically condemned others for similar lineage.
In essence, while the term "Mudblood" was a symbol of everything he despised and sought to eliminate, it did not apply to his own origins. His hatred was often rooted in a desire to distance himself from his own half-blood reality and prove himself superior through power.
