Game of Thrones Star Emilia Clarke Survived Two Brain Aneurysms—And Lost More Than She Expected
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Emilia Clarke, best known as the fiery Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s Game of Thrones, has faced battles far more daunting than dragons or political intrigue. The actress, now 38, has opened up about surviving not one but two brain aneurysms—and revealed the shocking toll it took on her body.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
The first aneurysm struck Clarke in 2011, when she was just 22 years old and newly thrust into global stardom after Game of Thrones’ explosive debut season. The sudden, searing pain left her vomiting, collapsing, and fearing for her life. Doctors confirmed she had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage—caused by a ruptured aneurysm.
Just two years later, in 2013, a second aneurysm followed, leaving Clarke once again fighting for her life. The ordeal left visible scars not only on her health but also on her brain. “Quite a bit [of my brain] is actually missing,” she admitted in an interview with BBC’s Sophie Raworth. “It’s remarkable that I’m able to speak, sometimes articulately, and live my life completely normally with absolutely no repercussions.”
Holding On With Daenerys’s Words
In a striking detail, Clarke revealed that during her first aneurysm, she tried to hold onto consciousness by reciting her Game of Thrones lines. “The amount of my brain that is no longer usable—it’s incredible that I can still remember my lines,” she said. The actress noted that the brain has an ability to rewire itself, with blood rerouting to healthy areas, but the damaged portions are gone forever.
Finding Purpose in Westeros
Clarke credits her role as Daenerys with giving her something to hold onto during recovery. The long days and intensity of filming became an anchor when her health wavered. “It was incredibly useful to have the show to sweep me up and give me that purpose,” she explained.
In a 2019 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Clarke shared intimate hospital photos from her recovery. She recalled how embodying the Mother of Dragons helped her cope emotionally: “You go on set and play a badass character, and you walk through fire… And that became the thing that just saved me from considering my own mortality.”
A Rare Survivor
Medical experts emphasize how rare it is to recover so fully from two brain aneurysms. Clarke counts herself among the “really, really, really small minority of people that can survive” such catastrophic events. Her candor about the ordeal has since inspired countless fans who see her not just as the Mother of Dragons but as a model of resilience in real life.
Strength and Resilience Beyond the Screen
Clarke’s story is more than a tale of survival—it’s about how purpose, determination, and creativity can shape recovery. Despite losing parts of her brain, she continues to thrive in her career and inspire others with her openness about the hidden battles behind her success.
Like Daenerys, Clarke has proven she can walk through fire and come out stronger.
Would you like me to shape this piece for a health and wellness angle (highlighting brain injury survival and awareness) or entertainment focus (framing her resilience in the context of Game of Thrones and her career)?
