Emilia Clarke urges overhaul of brain injury aftercare

Actress Emilia Clarke has spoken publicly about the long-term and often hidden consequences of surviving two brain hemorrhages in her twenties, calling for a major shift in how healthcare systems support recovery from brain injuries. The "Game of Thrones" star made the remarks while being honored at Variety’s Power of Women London event.

Clarke, now 39, revealed she suffered her first brain hemorrhage at age 22, shortly after filming the first season of the hit series. A second hemorrhage followed when she was 24, the same year she made her Broadway debut. She said she kept her initial 2011 diagnosis a secret, even from HBO, due to shame and a lack of understanding. She did not publicly share her story until 2019.

In her speech, Clarke described returning to work within weeks of each medical crisis because she could physically function, an experience that prevented her from processing the trauma. She said she dismissed a host of subsequent symptoms—including hormonal issues, extreme fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety, and broken bones—attributing them to stress and a demanding work schedule. She, and her doctors, believed she had been fixed, she said, noting that none of them saw...