Emilia Clarke says she 'cheated' death reflecting on brain hemorrhages: 'It was coming to get me'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Emilia Clarke opened up about the life-threatening health crisis she faced in 2011 during the first season of 'Game of Thrones' and another one in 2013. The actress, who played Daenerys Targaryen, revealed how she survived two brain hemorrhages while starring in the fantasy series.

Looking back on the ordeal, Clarke said she felt like she had "cheated" death, adding that “it was coming to get me.” She also reflected on her recovery journey and discussed reports surrounding the GOT cast's salary structure. She said, "I also thought it ruined my ability to act - which some people might agree with!"

Emilia Clarke talks about her brain hemorrhage

During an interview with Variety, Clarke spoke candidly about the impact of the two brain hemorrhages. The actress experienced her first medical emergency shortly after completing the show's debut season and later endured a second hemorrhage a few years later.

For a long time, Clarke chose not to speak publicly about her condition, only sharing her story in 2019 when she launched SameYou, an organization focused on helping people recover from brain injuries.

“For a number of years, I felt that I had cheated death, and it was coming to get me,” Clarke says. “I truly felt like I had done something wrong, and I shouldn’t be here.” Beyond the physical recovery, the actress said the experience affected her confidence and left her questioning her future in the entertainment industry.

“I also thought it ruined my ability to act - which some people might agree with!” Clarke cackles. Clarke also admitted she was reluctant to discuss her health struggles because she feared being viewed differently by those around her.

“I was so ashamed that this thing had happened and that the people who had employed me might see me as weak or see me as something that could be broken,” she said.

Emilia Clarke talks about GOT salary 

Clarke, during the same interview, shared that 'Game of Thrones' brought her more than just worldwide fame; it also gave her financial security. The actress revealed that one of the most meaningful things she was able to do with her earnings from the HBO hit was pay off her parents' mortgage.

At the same time, Clarke addressed reports about the cast's massive paychecks, saying the figures circulating online (reported salary of $300,000 per episode) were wildly exaggerated and far higher than what they actually earned.

“We didn’t earn that much. Can you imagine? I’d have been driving a couple of Porsches!” While the financial stability was welcome, Clarke said the sudden level of fame that came with playing Daenerys Targaryen was harder to process. 

“I spent a lot of time trying to understand it,” she says. “And then you realize it’s just a formula: The less you’re on TV, the less famous you are. It comes, and it goes.”