Summary
- Emilia Clarke, known for her role in Game of Thrones, kept her health issues quiet while on the show and prefers not to be portrayed as helpless or medically fragile.
- Clarke had two brain aneurysms, with the second one requiring a more complex surgery. While she is at risk of more aneurysms in the future, her young age may have contributed to a positive recovery.
- Clarke's ability to keep her private life separate allowed her to make a full recovery and continue making an impact on the success of Game of Thrones. Her future health may not be guaranteed, but it looks promising.
As anyone who has watched the show has seen, a lot went into Game of Thrones. The cast and crew had to endure many obstacles and uncomfortable situations. However, none of it compares to having underlying health issues one is trying to keep under wraps.
The world knows Emilia Clarke for her role in the iconic television series Game of Thrones. While her identity as Daenerys Targaryen, or Khaleesi, is how she is typically recognized, she is also an ordinary person who has experienced a scary and upsetting medical issue that not only put her in a precarious position in the past but also weighs heavily on her future.
Emilia Clarke Kept Her Health Issues Quiet While On 'Game of Thrones'
Emilia Clarke is keen on not being placed in confining boxes with the roles she chooses, so it makes sense that she would take the same approach to her personal life. While she now works to advocate for those with brain injuries, she didn't want all the attention on her regarding her health.
Just as she won't play roles that mimic what she did on Game of Thrones for fear of only being seen as that type of character, she similarly doesn't want to be portrayed in a helpless or medically fragile state when she is so much more than that.
This trend is one that many in the public eye are taking on because it's often something they can control more easily than other personal topics like dating and children. Being able to keep details of anything close to the vest is likely a blessing for celebrities, and the laws surrounding medical care help protect stars in that right.
When it comes to her history of brain aneurysms, Clarke has decided to only speak on the conditions sparingly, avoiding detailed conversations about their circumstances and how they may impact her future.
The actress worked hard to keep her medical condition quiet, even denying that it happened after the National Enquirer ran a story on it shortly after her second surgery. Later, Emilia opted to share her story with fans.
Once the series Game of Thrones ended, Emilia Clarke decided to tell the story in her own words. Throughout her personally written essay for the New Yorker, it's easy to understand the despair and anxiety she was going through and how scary the situation was for all involved.
Alternatively, seeing her in this light also makes her more relatable as a person, speaking about the vanity that those in the entertainment industry possess and the story of her performing a Spice Girls song during an audition as a child.
Emilia Has Had At Least Two Brain Aneurysms
While Clarke had her first aneurysm at the gym, her second one was during a break from shooting Game of Thrones. During a routine check-up with a neurologist, it was discovered that her secondary aneurysm had grown in size.
This aneurysm was previously discovered and had been on the other side of her brain and was considered to possibly be dormant. It was determined that an immediate procedure was necessary to avoid another rupture.
Unfortunately, the procedure failed, and the actress had to undergo a more complex surgery to rectify the issue. The recovery took longer the second time around and brought a lot of fear as to what could come in the future for the actress and her career.
Is Emilia Clarke At Risk Of Having More Brain Aneurysms?
While Clarke has not spoken extensively on the topic, Tom L. Yao, a neurosurgeon, states that up to 25% of people who have previously had an aneurysm will have more in the future.
Many people who experience an aneurysm die within 24 hours, even if they receive treatment immediately. Having access to medical services and experienced professionals is the only path to a full recovery, although it's not always possible, depending on various circumstances.
Thankfully, Clarke has had incredible recoveries compared to others in similar situations. Although she highlights a few setbacks, she also acknowledges that her situation is nowhere near as drastic as others and that it's miraculous that she is where she is today with the condition of her brain.
Some speculate that her young age during the aneurysms contributed to her positive outcome. Most people don't endure such catastrophic aneurysms until they are over 40. Since Clarke was only 24 when she experienced her first one, the ability for the brain to heal came at a higher level than if she had been older.
Being that Game of Thrones was the actress's big break into the acting world; it's understandable that she wanted to take the initiative to keep her private life separate from the public one. Thankfully, the star was able to make a full recovery and went on to make a tremendous impact on the show's success.
There is no guarantee she will always be healthy, but her future seems promising.
