Emilia Clarke Reflects on Surviving Two Brain Hemorrhages During 'Game of Thrones'
Emilia Clarke Reflects on Surviving Two Brain Hemorrhages During 'Game of Thrones'
In a deeply moving and candid revelation, actress Emilia Clarke has once again opened up about the harrowing medical emergencies she faced while filming the HBO phenomenon, Game of Thrones. Clarke, known globally as Daenerys Targaryen, recently shared details on the "How To Fail" podcast about surviving two life-threatening brain hemorrhages in 2011 and 2013. The star admitted that the trauma left her convinced she was "meant to die," leading to a profound emotional shutdown that occurred behind the scenes of her meteoric rise to fame. Her story is a testament to human resilience and the hidden battles even the most public figures often fight in silence.
Emilia Clarke suffered two subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) during her time on Game of Thrones, the first in 2011 and the second in 2013. These medical crises required invasive brain surgeries and left the actress with significant psychological hurdles, including a persistent fear of death and feelings of isolation. Despite these challenges, Clarke continued to portray the Mother of Dragons for all eight seasons of the series, eventually launching the charity SameYou to support brain injury recovery for others.
The First Hemorrhage: A Snap in the Gym
The first incident occurred shortly after Emilia Clarke finished filming the inaugural season of Game of Thrones in 2011. At just 24 years old, the actress was at a London gym when she felt an excruciating pain she described as an elastic band snapping around her brain. This "insane pressure" was accompanied by violent illness. Despite her terror, Clarke’s primary concern at the time was her career; she recalled reminding herself she was an actor and trying to stay sharp by reciting her lines from the show while waiting for medical help.
Upon reaching the hospital, she was diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding in the space surrounding the brain. During her recovery, she suffered from aphasia, a condition where she temporarily could not remember her own name or speak coherently. This experience was particularly devastating for an actor whose livelihood depends on language and memory. Fortunately, the aphasia passed after a week, but the journey was far from over.
The Hidden Struggle During Game of Thrones Season 2
While the world was beginning to embrace the epic world of Westeros, Clarke was battling extreme fatigue and debilitating pain. Before Season 2 began, she was often woozy and weak, sipping morphine between interviews to manage the pain. She has since admitted to feeling "exposed" and "terrified" during this period, struggling to meet the demands of her newfound fame while her body was in a state of fragile recovery. She kept her condition a closely guarded secret, sharing the details only with her family and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
The Second Aneurysm: An Emergency Turn
In 2013, while performing on Broadway, a routine scan revealed that a second, smaller aneurysm detected during her first treatment had doubled in size. What was supposed to be a relatively simple procedure went horribly wrong, resulting in a massive bleed on the brain. Doctors were forced to perform emergency invasive surgery, drilling through her skull to save her life. Clarke has described this second recovery as significantly harder than the first, both physically and emotionally.
Emotional Impact: Convinced She Was Meant to Die
Following the second surgery, Clarke experienced what she calls an emotional shutdown. She became convinced that she had cheated death and that her end was inevitable. This mindset made it difficult for her to engage with the outside world, as she felt a profound lack of trust in her own body and brain. "You're walking around knowing that your body has failed you," she explained. The invisible nature of the injury added to her sense of isolation, as no one else could see the damage she was processing internally.
| Key Milestones | Details |
|---|---|
| First Hemorrhage | Occurred in 2011 after Season 1; caused temporary aphasia. |
| Second Hemorrhage | Occurred in 2013; required emergency invasive skull surgery. |
Facing San Diego Comic-Con Under Duress
One of the most harrowing memories Clarke shared involved attending San Diego Comic-Con just six weeks after her second brain surgery. While promoting the show to thousands of fans, she developed a sudden, intense headache. Gripped by the fear that another hemorrhage was happening, she told her publicist she thought she was going to die. In a moment of dark humor, she resolved that if she were to die, she would do it on live TV. This illustrates the immense pressure she was under to maintain a public persona while facing private mortality.
"Missing" Parts of the Brain
In later years, Clarke revealed that scans of her brain show "quite a bit" is missing or unusable. Because strokes essentially kill the brain tissue that is deprived of blood, those parts of the organ are gone forever. However, the human brain’s ability to rewire itself—a process known as neuroplasticity—has allowed her to live a completely normal life and continue her high-functioning career. She often jokes about it now, calling herself a member of a "really, really small minority" that can survive such trauma with no major repercussions.
SameYou: Turning Trauma into Advocacy
Driven by the lack of long-term support she witnessed during her own recovery, Clarke founded SameYou. The charity focuses on increasing access to neuro-rehabilitation for young adults after a brain injury or stroke. By sharing her story, Clarke aims to ensure that survivors do not feel "profoundly alone," as she once did. Her advocacy has sparked conversations within the medical community about the importance of mental health and cognitive support in stroke recovery.
Finding Strength in the Mother of Dragons
Clarke credits the character of Daenerys Targaryen with helping her survive the trauma. Playing a "badass" character who walks through fire gave her a sense of purpose and strength that she could draw upon in her real life. The show provided a distraction and a reason to carry on, even when she felt like a "shell" of herself. Her family’s "no-pity" policy also played a role in her resilience, pushing her to move forward without dwelling on the unfairness of her situation.
Conclusion
Emilia Clarke’s journey from the brink of death to becoming a global icon and advocate is nothing short of miraculous. Her willingness to discuss the "dark days" of her brain hemorrhages provides hope to millions of people dealing with invisible illnesses. By reflecting on her time during Game of Thrones with such honesty, she reminds us that true strength isn't just about winning fictional thrones, but about surviving the battles within our own minds and bodies. Today, Clarke stands as a symbol of resilience, proving that even when parts of us are "missing," we can still be a hundred percent whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Emilia Clarke have her brain hemorrhages?
Emilia Clarke suffered her first brain hemorrhage in 2011 after filming the first season of Game of Thrones, and her second in 2013 after filming the third season.
What is the name of Emilia Clarke's charity?
Her charity is called SameYou, which focuses on providing emotional and physical rehabilitation for survivors of brain injuries and strokes.
Did Emilia Clarke lose her memory?
She experienced temporary aphasia after her first surgery, meaning she couldn't remember her own name or speak for a short period. She has also mentioned that her mind has blocked out some of the darkest days of her second recovery.
Is Emilia Clarke fully recovered now?
Yes, Emilia Clarke has stated she is "at a hundred per cent" and lives a normal life, despite scans showing that parts of her brain are no longer usable.
Why did she keep her health issues a secret for so long?
Clarke felt "ashamed" and feared that her employers at HBO might see her as "weak" or "broken" if they knew the extent of her medical condition.
Emilia Clarke Reflects on Surviving Two Brain Hemorrhages During 'Game of Thrones'
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