Emilia Clarke Opens Up About Surviving Aneurysms: 'It Felt Like Cheating Death'

Emilia Clarke’s Near-Death Experience

Emilia Clarke, the iconic face behind Game of Thrones' Daenerys Targaryen, recently opened up about her terrifying health scare. The 39-year-old actress had two brain aneurysms, occurring in 2011 and 2013, which left a lasting impact on her. In a candid chat with Variety, she shared, "For a number of years, I felt that I had cheated death, and it was coming to get me. I truly felt like I had done something wrong, and I shouldn’t be here."

She humorously added, "I also thought it ruined my ability to act — which some people might agree with!" Clarke’s candidness offers a rare glimpse into the personal struggles behind her public persona.

Game of Thrones Phenomenon and Earnings Myth

Riding the wave of global fame due to Game of Thrones, Emilia starred alongside notable names like Sean Bean, Richard Madden, and Kit Harington. Although the series was a blockbuster success, she debunked rumors of a $300,000-per-episode salary. Laughing it off, Emilia said, "We didn’t earn that much. Can you imagine? I’d have been driving a couple of Porsches!"

Despite the show's success, Clarke admits coming to grips with fame was a challenge. "I spent a lot of time trying to understand it," she confessed, noting the fleeting nature of celebrity status.

Gratitude for NHS and Personal Reflection

A survivor in more ways than one, Emilia has profound gratitude for the UK's National Health Service. Reflecting in an open letter, she praised the NHS staff who "saved [her] life" during her first brain haemorrhage. The London-born star was deeply moved by the care she received at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square, London, particularly recalling a pivotal moment, "The nurse who suggested - after everyone else in A and E struggled to find an answer when I was first admitted - that maybe, just maybe I should have a brain scan. She saved my life."

Emilia’s journey from critical health scares to global fame is a testament to resilience and gratitude, reminding fans that behind every star is a human with their own battles.