Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has spoken candidly about the serious health crisis she faced in the early years of her career, revealing that parts of her brain are now “missing” as a result of two life-threatening aneurysms.
The British actress, best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the hit HBO series, suffered the first of two aneurysms in 2011 while working out, just after filming the debut season of Game of Thrones. A second hemorrhage followed in 2013.
Speaking on BBC’s Sunday Morning, Clarke reflected on the severity of her condition and the unlikely nature of her recovery.
“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. “I am in the really, really small minority of people that can survive that.”
Doctors were initially unsure whether Clarke would survive the ordeal, let alone return to work. Following her first surgery, she experienced aphasia—a condition that temporarily robbed her of the ability to speak or recall her own name.
“I was suffering from a condition called aphasia,” she explained. “In that moment, I wanted to pull the plug. I asked the medical staff to let me die. My job—my entire dream of what my life would be—centered on language, on communication. Without that, I didn’t know who I was.”
A scan later revealed a significant loss of brain tissue. “There’s quite a bit missing,” Clarke said. “Which always makes me laugh.”
Despite the trauma and a long recovery process, Clarke returned to filming Game of Thrones shortly after each operation, continuing in the role that would make her a global star.
Clarke has since co-founded SameYou, a charity focused on improving rehabilitation services for young adults recovering from brain injuries and strokes. In 2024, she and her mother were honoured with MBEs at Windsor Castle for their work in raising awareness and supporting survivors.
While reflecting on her experiences, Clarke acknowledged the lasting psychological impact but expressed gratitude for her recovery. “It’s incredibly grounding,” she said. “The brain is an extraordinary organ and I’m very lucky to be here.”
