Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has opened up about surviving two life-threatening brain aneurysms that left “quite a bit” of her brain missing, describing her recovery as nothing short of miraculous.
The British actress, 38, first suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2011 at the age of 22, just as her career was taking off with the hit HBO series. She later endured a second aneurysm that required another major surgery.
“It’s Remarkable That I Can Speak and Live Normally”
In a candid interview with the BBC’s Sophie Raworth, Clarke reflected on the ordeal and the lasting impact it had on her brain.
“The amount of my brain that is no longer usable – it’s remarkable that I am able to speak, sometimes articulately, and live my life completely normally with absolutely no repercussions,” she said.
The actress said she is among the “really, really small minority of people that can survive that,” adding that scans of her brain show “quite a bit missing.”
Clarke explained how blood loss to certain areas caused permanent damage: “As soon as any part of your brain doesn’t get blood for a second, it’s gone. The blood finds a different route to get around, but whatever bit it’s missing is therefore gone.”
Emilia Clarke’s First Aneurysm Struck at 22
Clarke’s first hemorrhage occurred shortly after filming the first season of Game of Thrones. She described the experience as “excruciating,” recalling how she vomited and eventually lost consciousness.
“I kept repeating my Game of Thrones lines to myself to stay awake,” she said, crediting the fantasy epic with helping her focus and survive the terrifying episode.
"Game of Thrones Saved Me”
Clarke has long said that portraying Daenerys Targaryen (one of television’s most powerful and resilient characters) helped her overcome her health battles. "It was incredibly useful to have the show to sweep me up and give me that purpose,” she said.
In a 2019 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Clarke shared previously unseen photos from her time in the hospital recovering from one of the aneurysms. She admitted that staying positive after the second operation was “much harder.”
“You go on the set and you play a badass character, and you walk through fire, and you’re being asked to work as hard as you possibly can,” she said. “And that became the thing that just saved me from considering my own mortality.”
“Quite a Bit Missing” But Still Thriving
Despite the damage to her brain, Clarke continues to work, memorize scripts, and perform demanding roles on screen and stage, something she says even doctors find astonishing.
Her story has inspired millions of fans around the world, especially after she founded SameYou, a charity supporting people recovering from brain injuries and strokes.
Emilia Clarke’s journey from near-death to global success is a testament to her resilience, humor, and strength, proof that even when “quite a bit” is missing, courage can fill the rest.