How Emilia Clarke’s Near-Death Experience Led to a Life-Changing Career Move You Won’t Believe

Emilia Clarke’s career has been marked by an array of professional accomplishments and high-profile roles, but when asked about the most meaningful moment of her career, the answer lies not in the fame she achieved, but in the personal challenges she faced and the advocacy work that followed. While her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones (2011–2019) solidified her as a global star, it is her survival of two life-threatening brain haemorrhages and her subsequent charity work that stand as the most significant moments in her journey.

Career Overview and Breakthrough Role

Clarke’s breakout role came with Game of Thrones, where she portrayed Daenerys Targaryen, the determined and evolving “Mother of Dragons.” Her work in the show earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2019, and various other accolades, such as the BAFTA Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year in 2018. Game of Thrones was a cultural phenomenon, earning 59 Emmy Awards over eight seasons, including Outstanding Drama Series four times, making it one of the most successful television series in history. Clarke’s other notable roles include Sarah Connor in Terminator: Genisys (2015), Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), and starring roles in romantic dramas like Me Before You (2016) and Last Christmas (2019).

However, despite these accomplishments, Clarke’s most impactful career moments transcended acting, stemming from her health struggles and subsequent advocacy efforts.

Brain Haemorrhages: A Life-Threatening Challenge

In 2011, shortly after the first season of Game of Thrones aired, Clarke faced a health crisis that threatened not only her career but also her life. She suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm while working out at a gym in London. The emergency brain surgery that followed was intense, and Clarke experienced severe pain and aphasia, which is the inability to understand or produce speech. This was a terrifying setback for the young actress, and her career seemed uncertain as she was unsure if she would be able to continue acting.

The challenges didn’t end there. Just two years later, Clarke suffered a second brain haemorrhage, further complicating her recovery. In interviews, she has spoken about the fear she experienced during this period, particularly the anxiety that she might lose her career. “I wasn’t afraid of dying. I was afraid of being fired!” Clarke admitted in a 2023 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, reflecting the weight of her personal struggles against the backdrop of her rapidly rising career.

Turning Adversity into Advocacy: The Founding of SameYou

Clarke’s recovery from two life-threatening brain haemorrhages led to a transformation in her personal and professional life. Rather than just focusing on her acting career, she co-founded SameYou, a charity dedicated to brain injury recovery, alongside her mother, Jenny Clarke. The charity’s mission is to provide better mental and physical rehabilitation for survivors of brain injuries and strokes, ensuring they have access to the best rehabilitation services possible.

In her advocacy, Clarke has emphasized the importance of making brain injury recovery resources available to everyone, regardless of their recovery potential. She expressed, “Not everyone is able to make a full recovery after brain injury or stroke, but I believe that everyone should have access to the best possible… rehabilitation to maximise their individual recovery potential” (International Women’s Day). Clarke’s personal journey of survival and recovery has been a driving force behind SameYou, which continues to help those who face similar challenges. In 2024, Clarke and her mother were awarded MBEs for their services to people with brain injuries, a testament to their impactful work in this field.

Public Reflections and Meaningful Impact

For Clarke, these health crises were not just obstacles; they were transformative experiences that changed the direction of her career. In a 2019 New Yorker article, she reflected on the shocking contrast between the success she was experiencing professionally and the life-threatening health issues she was enduring. “Just when all my childhood dreams seemed to have come true, I nearly lost my mind…and then my life,” she wrote, highlighting the surreal juxtaposition of fame and personal peril.

Her mother, Jenny Clarke, also reflected on the profound effect of these health crises, noting how the first haemorrhage “changed our lives in an instant.” This sentiment echoed throughout Clarke’s interviews, where she expressed gratitude for her recovery. In a 2022 BBC One interview, she revealed that despite a significant portion of her brain being “missing,” she was able to live “completely normally with absolutely no repercussions.”

This resilience, combined with her advocacy work, has redefined Clarke’s career, moving beyond acting to focus on making a lasting societal impact. For Clarke, the most meaningful moment in her career wasn’t winning awards or starring in major films—it was overcoming these health battles and using her platform to help others who faced similar struggles.

Comparison with Other Career Highlights

While her iconic role in Game of Thrones undoubtedly brought Clarke fame, and her work in films like Me Before You and Last Christmas added to her diverse portfolio, none of these moments hold the same personal significance as her survival and advocacy efforts. The charity SameYou, which continues to grow and provide vital support to brain injury survivors, is undoubtedly the most meaningful part of Clarke’s career, as it reflects her dedication to turning adversity into positive change.

Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Acting

Emilia Clarke’s most meaningful moment in her career is not tied to the accolades she’s received for her acting talent, nor is it a result of her success in blockbuster films. It is, instead, her survival of two life-threatening brain haemorrhages and the founding of SameYou, which aims to change the lives of others who face similar battles. This courageous journey, marked by resilience and a deep commitment to improving others’ lives, redefines Clarke’s legacy—not just as an actress, but as a philanthropist and advocate. The lasting impact of her efforts to raise awareness about brain injury recovery continues to inspire, marking a profound chapter in her already extraordinary career.