Emilia Clarke survived two brain aneurysms during Game Of Thrones: 'I couldn't recall my name'

In a New Yorker piece, the 32-year-old said she underwent life-saving brain surgeries over the last eight years to correct two different aneurysm growths
UPDATED MAR 23, 2019

'Game of Thrones' star Emilia Clarke revealed on Thursday that she underwent two life-saving brain surgeries over the last eight years to correct two different aneurysm growths. The actress said that the surgeries were difficult and not always successful, and neither was her recovery.

The 32-year-old further revealed that there was a point during her recovery when she wanted to “pull the plug” when she was unable to remember her name.

Clarke shared her story through an essay for The New Yorker, revealing that her health problems started in February 2011, soon after wrapping filming on the HBO show’s first season.

Clarke was working out with her trainer in London when she sensed a headache forming. “My trainer had me get into the plank position, and I immediately felt as though an elastic band were squeezing my brain,” she wrote. “I tried to ignore the pain and push through it, but I just couldn’t. I told my trainer I had to take a break."

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