More than a decade after she experienced two aneurysms, Emilia Clarke revisits the terrifying experiences.
During a recent interview with the Big Issue, the Game of Thrones alum reflected on suffering from two aneurysms in 2011 and 2013. She admitted to worrying about how the life-threatening incidents would have impacted her acting career.
“When you have a brain injury because it alters your sense of self on such a dramatic level,” she explained. “All of the insecurities you have going into the workplace quadruple overnight.”
Emilia Clarke continued by revealing the biggest fears that came from the incidents. “The first fear we all had was: ‘Oh my God, am I going to get fired? Am I going to get fired because they think I’m not capable of completing the job?’”
The actress went on to say that she thought she might suffer another aneurysm due to the stress and pressure from acting in front of the camera. She even recalled thinking, “Well, if I’m going to die, I better die on live TV.”
Clarke then said that the condition continues to impact her both on and off-screen. “Having a chronic condition that diminishes your confidence in this one thing you feel is your reason to live is so debilitating and so lonely,” she admitted.
“One of the biggest things I felt with a brain injury was profoundly alone. That is what we’re trying to overcome.”
Emilia Clarke went on to say that she remains optimistic during her brain injury recovery. “It has given me a superpower.”
Emilia Clarke Opened Up About Being Unable to Remember Her Name Two Weeks After First Aneurysm
In a 2019 essay for The New Yorker, Emilia Clarke opened up about the struggles she dealt with following her 2011 brain aneurysm. This included her being unable to remember her name and being unable to speak two weeks later.
“I was suffering from a condition called aphasia, a consequence of the trauma my brain had suffered,” Clarke said.
The actress further admitted her struggles were also mental. “In my worst moments, I wanted to pull the plug,” she wrote. “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 was lost.”
Thankfully, her aphasia ended up being temporary. She was eventually able to speak again. She underwent a second surgery for her 2013 aneurysm.