Tom Marvolo Riddle (born 31 December 1926) was a half-blood wizard and son of wealthy Muggle Tom Riddle Sr. and poor witch Merope Gaunt. His conception was a result of Merope's usage of Amortentia on Riddle Sr, and upon ceasing the use of the potion, he left a pregnant Merope behind. Tom's mother had died while giving birth to him and so he was raised in Wool's Orphanage in London. He is a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts, and had the ability to speak Parseltounge.