Bill Weasley is the oldest son of Arthur and Molly Weasley and is one of the many siblings in the Weasley family. As the oldest sibling, Bill plays an important role in the Harry Potter series and is a source of wisdom and guidance for his younger brothers and sister.
Bill’s Background
Here are some quick facts about Bill Weasley:
- Full Name: William “Bill” Arthur Weasley
- Parents: Arthur & Molly Weasley
- Siblings: Charles, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny
- Wife: Fleur Delacour
- Occupation: Curse Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank
- House: Gryffindor
As the chart below illustrates, Bill is the first born of the Weasley siblings, making him the official oldest:
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Bill Weasley | 29 (in Order of the Phoenix) |
| Charlie Weasley | 27 |
| Percy Weasley | 22 |
| Fred & George Weasley | 19 |
| Ron Weasley | 15 |
| Ginny Weasley | 14 |
Evidence Bill is the Oldest
There are several examples from the books that confirm Bill’s status as the eldest Weasley sibling:
- In Chamber of Secrets, Mrs. Weasley mentions Bill was Head Boy at Hogwarts. The Head Boy/Girl are typically 7th year students, indicating Bill was the first Weasley at Hogwarts.
- In Goblet of Fire, Mrs. Weasley worries about Bill’s long hair, suggesting he is her first born that she frets over.
- In Order of the Phoenix, the Weasley family clock notes Bill’s hand already points to “Mortal Peril” due to his career, evidence he is the trailblazing first born.
- Bill is married first of all the siblings, another common trend for the oldest child.
- Bill gives advice to Ron about girls, providing mentorship as the wiser older brother.
Additionally, in interviews, J.K. Rowling has noted Bill Weasley was born on November 29, 1970. Looking at his siblings’ birth years, Charlie is confirmed as being 2 years younger than Bill, placing Bill definitively as the 1st born Weasley child.
Bill’s Role as the Eldest Weasley Sibling
As the oldest sibling, Bill often fulfills typical roles of the first born child:
- Leader and role model – younger Weasleys look up to Bill’s accomplishments at Hogwarts and career success.
- Helper and adviser – Bill guides younger siblings, especially Ron, with advice about school, girls, and work.
- Rule enforcer and authority – Bill helps keep younger siblings in line when necessary.
- Trailblazer – Bill achieves many firsts like becoming Head Boy, working for Gringotts, and marrying Fleur.
- Protector and supporter – Bill sticks by his family, even when conflicting with the Ministry or public opinion.
However, as the books emphasize, Bill remains extremely laidback, cool, and relaxed for an eldest child. He does not lord his oldest status over his siblings and is able to connect with each of them in different ways, whether through academic advice, lighthearted jokes, or shared interests.
Bill’s Close Relationships with Other Weasley Siblings
Although he mentors all of the Weasley siblings, Bill seems to have especially close ties with a few of them:
Charlie Weasley
Bill and Charlie are close in age and both possess laidback, adventurous personalities. They share interests in curse-breaking, magical creatures, and foreign wizarding cultures. Despite their two year age gap, they have a friendship-like relationship.
Percy Weasley
As the third oldest sibling, Percy looks up to Bill, who helps guide him at Hogwarts. Bill and Percy are both ambitious and academically gifted, named Prefects and Head Boys. However, while Percy is rigid, Bill maintains his relaxed outlook on authority and rules.
Ron Weasley
As the youngest Weasley brother, Ron often seeks Bill’s advice and reassurance, especially when it comes to school, girls, and insecurities. As the two brothers furthest apart in age, Bill provides mentorship to Ron from an almost paternal stance.
Ginny Weasley
Although all the Weasley brothers are protective of their little sister, Bill seems to have a soft spot for Ginny. He affectionately calls her “puncy” and makes an effort to listen to and understand Ginny, the only girl in the family.
Conclusion
In summary, Bill Weasley’s characterization and lineage in the books confirm his status as the oldest sibling of the Weasley family. As the first born child, Bill fulfills many typical roles of the eldest brother but also maintains his laidback, open-minded personality. His relationships with each of his younger siblings help demonstrate the complexity of growing up in such a large magical family.