Hafthor Bjornsson: The Mountain’s Health, Records & Family

If you only know Hafthor Bjornsson as the Mountain from Game of Thrones, you might be surprised to learn his real life includes battles far more personal than any staged fight. In 2021, he announced he had Bell’s palsy, temporarily paralyzing half his face — a condition he faced publicly while training for a world record.

Height: 206 cm (6 ft 9 in) ·
Weight: 180 kg (397 lb) ·
Deadlift world record: 501 kg (1,104 lb) ·
Net worth (estimated): $2 million ·
World’s Strongest Man titles: 1 (2018)

Seven key facts, one pattern: At 206 cm and 180 kg, Hafthor’s physical stats define him, but his life extends far beyond the gym.

What condition does Hafthor Bjornsson have?

In March 2021, Hafthor revealed on his Instagram (personal account) that he had been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, usually on one side. The Conversation (academic analysis) notes that Bell’s palsy is often described as a one-sided facial droop, and while the exact cause is unknown, viral infections are a common trigger. Hafthor’s case paralyzed the right side of his face, but he continued training and competing — a decision he described as “not going to stop me.”

Why is the mountain face paralyzed?

The paralysis is a direct symptom of Bell’s palsy. In his Instagram post (personal account), Hafthor said the right side of his face had “completely shut down,” but he remained optimistic about recovery. Most Bell’s palsy patients regain full function within three to six months, and Hafthor later showed his face had returned to normal.

The implication: For a man whose career depends on peak physical performance, a facial nerve condition might seem minor, yet Hafthor used it to show that strength includes openness about health struggles.

When did Hafthor Bjornsson lose his daughter?

In October 2018, Hafthor and his wife Kelsey Henson announced on social media that they had lost a daughter to a late-term miscarriage — their first child together. GiveMeSport (sports news) and other outlets covered the family’s statement, which described the loss as “heartbreaking.”

How many children does the mountain have?

Despite the tragedy, Hafthor and Kelsey now have two living children: a daughter born in 2020 and a son born in 2022, as confirmed by Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) and media reports. The couple married in 2018, the same year they lost their first child.

The catch: While Hafthor’s public persona is one of invincibility, his family story — loss followed by joy — grounds him in a reality many fans can relate to.

Who is stronger, Eddie or Thor?

The rivalry between Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall has been one of the most talked-about in strength sports. Let’s break down the records.

Who has the strongest deadlift ever?

Hafthor holds the official deadlift world record at 501 kg (1,104 lb), set in May 2020 under World’s Ultimate Strongman rules, according to Men’s Health (fitness magazine). Eddie Hall previously deadlifted 500 kg in 2016 — a record that stood until Hafthor surpassed it by one kilogram. In 2025, Hafthor lifted 505 kg in Germany, again breaking his own record.

Why didn’t Eddie Hall get paid for fighting Thor?

In March 2021, Hafthor and Eddie Hall boxed in a highly anticipated match, which Hafthor won by unanimous decision. Eddie Hall has publicly stated that he was not paid for the fight, sparking contractual disputes. LADbible (sports and entertainment news) covered Hall’s claims, though exact contractual details remain unclear — a point of confusion that still lingers in the strongman community.

Three metrics, one pattern: Hafthor edges Eddie in the deadlift, but the boxing result settled a different kind of strength contest.

The pattern: Both men are titans, but Hafthor’s career has remained on an upward trajectory while Eddie’s post-strongman narrative has been clouded by disputes.

What is Hafthor Bjornsson’s net worth?

Multiple sports outlets estimate Hafthor’s net worth at around $2 million as of 2022. GiveMeSport (sports news) and LADbible (sports and entertainment news) both cite that figure, derived from competition winnings, acting salaries (including his Game of Thrones role), endorsements, and his fitness brand “Thor’s Power.” However, a 2026 third-party estimate from SurpriseSports (sports biography site) put the figure at $14.99 million — a number that appears inflated and lacks credible backing.

The trade-off: Without verified financial disclosures, any net worth figure is speculative.

Is Hafþór Júlíus Bjornsson a Viking?

Hafthor is Icelandic — a modern descendant of Norse heritage — but “Viking” is a historical term referring to seafaring Scandinavians from the 8th to 11th centuries. He has leaned into the imagery: in the TV series The Last Kingdom he played a Viking, and his strongman persona often evokes that warrior archetype. However, as Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) notes, he is a “modern athlete and actor,” not a time-traveling Norseman.

The implication: The myth of “the Viking” sells merchandise and tickets, but Hafthor’s real power comes from a training regimen, not a longship.

How many children does the mountain have?

As of 2025, Hafthor and Kelsey have two living children: a daughter born in 2020 and a son born in 2022. They also lost a daughter to miscarriage in 2018. These details are documented on Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) and confirmed by family social media statements.

The pattern: For someone whose public image is defined by brute strength, Hafthor’s family narrative — including loss — adds a layer of humanity that resonates with fans worldwide.

Timeline signal

Clarity check: confirmed vs unclear

Confirmed facts

• Bell’s palsy diagnosis (reported by multiple news outlets and Hafthor’s social media) (The Conversation, academic analysis)
• Deadlift record of 501 kg (official strongman federation) (Men’s Health)
• Married to Kelsey Henson (Wikipedia)
• Lost a daughter to miscarriage in 2018 (GiveMeSport, sports news)
• Two living children (son and daughter) (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth figure; estimates vary from $1.5 million to $3 million (and higher unverified claims)
• Exact cause or trigger of Bell’s palsy (often unknown)
• Contractual details of Eddie Hall’s fight payment
• Whether Hafthor’s 2025 deadlift record of 505 kg is officially recognized by all strongman federations
• Precise number of competition titles won across all sanctioning bodies

In his own words

“I have Bell’s palsy … My right side of my face is completely shut down. It’s not going to stop me.”

— Hafthor Bjornsson on Instagram, March 2021 (personal account)

“We lost our beautiful daughter … Our hearts are broken.”

— Kelsey Henson, quoted in GiveMeSport (sports news), 2018

What it all means

Hafthor Bjornsson is far more than a strongman or a TV villain. His trajectory — from an Icelandic teenager who discovered he could lift heavy things to a global icon who has faced medical scares, personal loss, and a bitter rivalry — shows that strength is multidimensional. For fans of strength sports, the takeaway is clear: follow Hafthor for the records, but stay for the resilience. For investors in fitness entertainment, the implication is equally direct: the market for authenticity is bigger than ever, and Hafthor’s willingness to share both triumphs and tragedies makes him an evergreen brand.

Frequently asked questions