In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Bilbo Baggins is 111 years old at his farewell party.
The celebration opens The Fellowship of the Ring and marks Bilbo’s eleventy-first birthday. Tolkien uses the unusual phrase “eleventy-first” for 111, linking the number to Bilbo’s reputation for reaching an extraordinary age while remaining lively. The party is also held on the shared birthday of Bilbo and Frodo, although Frodo is much younger.
Bilbo’s age is important to the story because the One Ring has helped him retain his vitality beyond what Hobbits normally expect. He acquired the Ring during the events of The Hobbit and kept it for decades. After the party, Bilbo leaves the Shire and eventually gives the Ring to Frodo. The episode is often remembered as a birthday scene, but it is also the narrative transition from Bilbo’s adventure to Frodo’s quest.