The ‘Big Moment’ That Changed Emilia Clarke Forever: Her Fight Against Brain Aneurysms and the Role That Saved Her

Emilia Clarke, the beloved actress known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, has faced numerous challenges in her personal life. However, when reflecting on what she considers her “Big Moment,” it’s not her acting career achievements or celebrity encounters that come to mind—it’s her life-altering experience with brain aneurysms that reshaped her entire trajectory.

Career Beginnings and Early Challenges

Clarke’s career skyrocketed when she took on the role of Daenerys in Game of Thrones, a performance that earned her multiple Emmy nominations and cemented her place as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Her journey to fame, however, was not without challenges. She had her fair share of early setbacks, including a memorable first day on Game of Thrones, where she famously fell off a horse—a moment that marked the pressures of her sudden rise to stardom (IWMBuzz). While this early career incident was significant, it pales in comparison to the profound challenges Clarke would soon face, both personally and professionally.

The Life-Changing Experience: Brain Aneurysms

Arguably, Clarke’s “Big Moment” refers to her personal health crisis involving two brain aneurysms. The first aneurysm occurred in early 2011, shortly after she finished filming the first season of Game of Thrones. The sudden onset of aphasia—a condition that affects speech—left her unable to communicate and led her to question whether she would ever return to acting. This was a terrifying time in Clarke’s life, as her career, health, and future seemed uncertain. She openly admitted to feeling desperate, even asking doctors to let her die during the most severe period of her recovery (Emilia Clarke’s personal website).

Two years later, in 2013, Clarke faced another aneurysm, compounding her challenges. Despite this, she underwent surgery and began a long, difficult recovery. Clarke’s resilience during this time is nothing short of remarkable. It was during this period of personal hardship that she found solace and purpose in her role as Daenerys, saying in a 2021 interview with Variety, “Daenerys literally saved my life” (Pinkvilla). The strength and determination of her character mirrored her own battle to survive and heal, providing her with the motivation to push forward.

A Lifeline Through Game of Thrones

The timing of her brain aneurysms aligned closely with the early years of Game of Thrones, which Clarke has described as “enormous” and “all-consuming.” Her character, Daenerys, transformed from a vulnerable young woman into a powerful and determined leader, and this parallel mirrored Clarke’s own transformation through her recovery process. The role offered her not only career success but also a sense of purpose during her darkest times.

Clarke has frequently discussed how Game of Thrones played a pivotal role in her emotional recovery, and how her portrayal of Daenerys provided her with a much-needed outlet for resilience. The show was not only a professional triumph for Clarke but a personal one as well, as it helped her find strength in an incredibly fragile period of her life.

Advocacy and Moving Forward

In the years following her recovery, Clarke founded the charity SameYou in 2019 alongside her mother, Jenny. The organization focuses on supporting mental health recovery after brain injuries, reflecting Clarke’s commitment to helping others facing similar challenges. The creation of SameYou was a direct result of her own health struggles, as she sought to give back to a community that helped her heal.

This charitable work, combined with her ongoing career as an actress, further solidifies the importance of Clarke’s “Big Moment”—her brain aneurysms and the strength she demonstrated in overcoming them. The physical recovery from her brain injuries was hard, but the emotional and psychological growth that followed has had an even greater impact on her life and career trajectory.

Other Notable Moments

While Clarke’s health crisis is certainly the defining “Big Moment” of her life, other milestones in her career have been noteworthy as well. From meeting Beyoncé and sharing a lighthearted story about an Oscars afterparty (The Hollywood Reporter) to her Broadway debut in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Clarke’s professional journey has been filled with ups and downs. She also made waves in films like Last Christmas (2019) and became the Global Brand Ambassador for Pegasus Distillerie in 2024 (Emilia Clarke’s personal website). Despite these successes, none of these moments carry the same weight as her personal recovery and the resilience it required.

Conclusion

Emilia Clarke’s “Big Moment” is undoubtedly tied to her battle with brain aneurysms, which has had a lasting impact on both her personal and professional life. Her reflections on her recovery, the role Game of Thrones played in her healing, and her commitment to supporting others with brain injuries through her charity SameYou illustrate the profound transformation she underwent. While her career has brought her fame and recognition, it is her strength in the face of adversity that truly defines her “Big Moment”—a moment that continues to shape her outlook on life and her commitment to helping others.