May 23, 2019 | Jennifer Crump

Fiery Facts About Daenerys Targaryen


“I am the blood of the dragon. I must be strong. I must have fire in my eyes when I face them, not tears.”—Daenerys Targaryen in George R.R. Martin's A Storm of Swords.

Daenerys Targaryen is one of the most intriguing and beloved characters in Game of Thronesor, SPOILER ALERT, at least she was until the final handful of episodes of the TV series (it remains to be seen how they will differ from the final books). When we first meet her she is being emotionally and physically abused by her brother Viserys.

Daenerys is then quickly married off to the apparent barbarian Khal Drogo. She goes on to gracefully navigate her role in the Dothraki, become the Mother of Dragons, and play the game tirelessly in order to form a fierce army, gather a cadre of trusted (and not-so-trusted) advisors, help to defeat the Night Walkers, and overtake all of the Seven Kingdoms.

Here are 42 facts about Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons (that's a mouthful).


Daenerys Targaryen Facts

1. Stormborn

Daenerys was born in the ancient seat of Dragonstone amidst a vast and powerful storm. The storm destroyed all the ships in her family's fleet and terrorized those people who survived. This why she occasionally refers to herself as Daenerys Stormborn.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

2. An Orphan

Her claim to the Iron Throne comes through her father, the “Mad King” Aerys II Targaryen. Targaryen ascended to the throne but was overthrown in a coup led by Robert Baratheon before Daenerys was born. Her mother Rhaella was both the sister and wife of the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen. She then fled to Dragonstone with her son, Viserys, after the death of her eldest, Rhaegar. The queen died giving birth to Daenerys.

Daenerys Targaryen factsShutterstock

3. I Am the God of Hellfire!

As the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen descended further into madness, he began to become obsessed with fire, specifically "wildfire," a napalm-like substance, for its similarities to dragon flames. Aerys would execute people by burning them alive, to the point where he became sexually aroused by the sight of men burning.

If you think we’re joking, Aerys raped his wife, Rhaella (supposedly conceiving Daenerys Targaryen) during Robert’s Rebellion after he’d burned a member of his council alive.

Daenerys Targaryen factsPixabay

4. Famous Last Words

Speaking of Aerys’ fire obsession, his final words of “Burn them all!” were meant as an order to his advisors to set off barrels of wildfire which he’d ordered placed all around King’s Landing. When the forces of Tywin Lannister took control of King’s Landing and started looting, Aerys prepared to destroy the city and everyone in it in a blaze of fire.

Jaime Lannister, who had urged the king to surrender, took matters in his own hands and murdered the pyromancer and Aerys before the orders could be carried out.

Robert Baratheon factsGame of Thrones, HBO

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5. Child Prodigy

Although she has a long list of accomplishments to her name, Daenerys is very young. In the books, she is only 13 years old when she is first sold to Khal Drogo. In the television series, she is aged up slightly, to 15 years old.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

6. Not the First of Her Name

Though she frequently refers to herself as the “First of her Name,” she actually isn’t. The first of her name, Princess Daenerys Targaryen, was the daughter of King Aegon IV and his wife (and sister) Naerys. The Lannisters aren't the only freaky folk in the Seven Kingdoms!

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

7. Guest of Honor

Author George R.R Martin actually showed up to Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding in the show—but only in the original pilot, where key characters such as Catelyn Stark were played by different actresses.

Ser Barristan Selmy factsGetty Images

8. Pre-Pubescent

In the books, Daenerys's faithful servant Missandei is only 10. Granted, she's a pretty self-possessed 10-year-old, but she's 10 nonetheless.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

9. Not the Last, Either

Throughout the series and through much of the books, Daenerys believes herself to be the last of the line, as her brother told her that they were the only members of their family to survive Robert's Rebellion. But she has another relative: Jon Snow, who was believed to be the bastard son of Ned Stark, but is, in fact, the son of Lyanna Stark (Ned’s sister) and Rhaegar Targaryen (Daenerys’ older brother).

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

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10. Omen

Shortly after the Daenerys and Drogo wedding was filmed, a storm hit the filming location and carried most of the props off to sea. Maybe we can say it foreshadowed the Dothraki crossing the sea?

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

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11. Family Ties

Daenerys may have another living nephew. In the books, Griff, or Young Griff, claims he is Aegon Targaryen, the son of Daenerys’ brother Rhaegar. The Mountain allegedly bashed baby Aegon’s head against a wall during Robert's Rebellion—but perhaps not? However, Griff is never mentioned in the TV series.

Daenerys Targaryen factsPixabay

12. Khaleesi

Daenerys takes the title Khaleesi when she is forced to marry Khal Drogo. Among the Dothraki, a khalasar is a troupe of warriors, lead by a Khal. The wife of a Khal is given the title of Khaleesi.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

13. Speaking in Tongues

Numerous languages are spoken in the Seven Kingdoms, and Daenerys speaks several. She can communicate in Common Tongue, Dothraki, High Valyrian, Low Valyrian, and Ghiscari (largely a language spoken by slaves—apropos for the Breaker of Chains). 

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

14. Things Are Heating Up

Daenerys boasts an unusual tolerance for heat. She prefers her baths scalding hot, and she emerged unscathed when she burned down a hut full of Dothraki leaders. Interestingly, George R.R. Martin insists that while Daenerys may have a high tolerance for fire, she is not entirely immune to it.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

15. Mother of Dragons

Although Daenerys doesn’t give birth to dragons in the traditional sense, she did bring them back into the world after they were thought to be extinct. Daenerys walked through Khal Drogo's funeral pyre with three dragon eggs and emerged unscathed with living infant dragons on her shoulder.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

16. Half Dragon

When Khal Drogo was gravely injured, Daenerys forced the witch Mirri Maz Duur to use blood magic to save his life. However, there was a price for this magic: to save Drogo's life, someone else would have to die. That someone proved to be Drogo and Daenerys’ unborn child Rhaego. In the Game of Thrones book, her servants describe the stillborn child as having scales, a tail, and the look of a monster—much like a dragon.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

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17. Family Matters

After this incident, Daenerys didn't believe that she could have more children. The witch Mirri Maz Duur claimed Daenerys would only bear a living child “when the sun rises in the west and sets in the east,” and “when the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves.”

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

18. Breaker of Chains

Daenerys boasts an astounding number of titles to her name, including the “Breaker of Chains.” She earned this moniker when she liberated Slaver’s Bay and freed the slaves in the cities of Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen.  For the record, her full title currently is, "Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons."

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

19. Breaker of Hearts

Daenerys has taken many lovers and had even more admirers in her journey towards the Iron Throne, including Drogo, Jorah, Dario, and Jon Snow. As Daenerys says, each of these men "all try to outdo each other…to do the stupidest, bravest thing” in order to impress her. One could argue that Jon Snow's final moments with Daenerys fit into that mold.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

20. Playing Favourites

Daenerys only ever rides her largest dragon, Drogon. She appears to have less control over her other two dragons, Rhaegal and Viserion, and they occasionally snap at her. For now, Drogon seems to be her favorite child.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

21. The Bald Truth

In the novels, Daenerys loses all her hair when she walks into Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre. She slowly regrows her silver hair over the course of the books. The TV series, either for ease or aesthetics, kept her trademark long, white hair throughout filming.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

22. Illyrio Mopatis

You may not remember Illyrio Mopatis by name, but without him, the Game of Thrones story line wouldn't be the same. He is a Merchant Prince who cuts a lot of business deals—including the arranged marriage behind Khal Drogo and Daenerys. If it wasn’t for Illyrio’s ruthless deals, Daenerys wouldn’t be a Khaleesi.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

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23. Oracle

The scene where Dany is reunited with Drogo in a dream-like sequence at the House of the Undying was different and much more extensive in the book. Dany’s original vision included potential spoilers for future plot points, such as the Red Wedding, so showrunners were likely more hesitant to use it. Instead, they gave fans a moment of Drogo and Dany reunited, along with their baby.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

24. The Eye of the Beholder

In the A Song of Ice and Fire books, the members of House Targaryen are known for their striking purple eyes. In the TV series, in another divergence from the novels, Daenerys has startling blue eyes.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

25. Namesakes

The Mother of Dragons named her three dragons after the most important men in her life. Her largest and perhaps wildest dragon, Drogon, is named after her husband, Khal Drogo. Viserion, a creamy white dragon, is named after her brother Viserys.  Her green dragon, Rhaegal, is named after Daenerys’ brother Rhaegar.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

26. Ties that Bind

When Daenerys takes Jon Snow into her bed, she unknowingly sleeps with her own nephew. However, this is not out of line with Targaryen family policy: Daenerys' own father and mother were brother and sister, and Targaryen royals were expected to marry among themselves to preserve the purity of the bloodline.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

27. Khal Drogo Is A Gentleman

Game of Thrones is notorious for its wild, raw, and even cruel sex scenes. Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Jason Momoa as her arranged husband, Khal Drogo, share a few of these notable trysts. Clarke has told interviewers that even if the scenes were quite scary her co-star helped her feel at ease. Momoa, on the other hand, revealed that he frequently apologized to Clarke after filming.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

28. It Runs in the Family

Daenerys' father was known as the "Mad King," and, according to Jaime Lannister, he was so full of bloodlust and paranoia that he intended to kill everyone at King’s Landing so that no one could overthrow him. Her brother Viserys also grew increasingly violent and unhinged before his untimely death at the hands of the Dothraki.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

29. Twice Married

In the books, Daenerys marries Hizdahr zo Loraq, while in the show they're only briefly engaged before his death.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

30. Heart of a Horse

When Daenerys was pregnant with Khal Drogo’s child, she was forced to eat the raw heart of a horse. If she finished it, according to the Priestess of the Dothraki, it would be a sign that her child would be strong; she ate the entire heart.

Theon Greyjoy factsPixabay

31. Rebel Rebel

When Daenerys married Khal Drogo she agreed to abide by the laws of the Dothraki. Dothraki law states that, after a Khal's death, the khaleesi must go to the city to live in seclusion as a dosh khaleen with the other widows of Khals. Daenerys refused and formed her own khalasar instead.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

32. Resurrection

During a recent interview, Emilia Clarke (who plays Daenerys Targaryen) invited a crew into her trailer, which had a roof covered with Khal Drogo’s star symbol. This led to speculation that Drogo might return in the eighth season, either as some sort of flashback, or possibly his character might pull a Jon Snow and come back from the dead. Sadly for Drogo-heads, this never came to be.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

33. Double Agent

Fans of Game of Thrones will remember how dramatic it was when Daenerys learned about Ser Jorah Mormont’s betrayal of her in the early seasons. However, it wasn’t done quite the same way in the books. Selmy, AKA Arstan Whitebeard, is outed by Ser Jorah, whereupon he immediately takes revenge by snitching on Ser Jorah in return.

This is done during the siege of Yunkai, so an enraged Daenerys decides to send them both into the fortress through the plumbing, hoping they will both die in the sewers.

Ser Barristan Selmy factsGame of Thrones, HBO

34. Kneel Before Your Queen

Upon the completion of the siege of Yunkai, Daenerys receives the victorious Selmy and Ser Jorah, and offers them forgiveness if they apologize hard enough. While Selmy is quick to comply, Ser Jorah refuses to apologize for his past actions, as he’s convinced that all he’d done since then more than balanced the scales.

This leads to Daenerys banishing Ser Jorah.

Ser Barristan Selmy factsGame of Thrones, HBO

35. Just a Test

You might be wondering why Selmy hid his identity from Daenerys in the first place. It’s revealed by Selmy himself that he is fully aware of the potential madness that Targaryens can suffer from, and he wanted to make sure that Daenerys wasn’t mad like her father had been. But he may have had even further reasons to hide his true identity.

According to Selmy, he also didn't want the Lannisters to discover he was helping Daenerys.

Ser Barristan Selmy factsGame of Thrones, HBO

36. Fire and Blood

Many fans love the strong-willed and powerful Mother of Dragons, but a darker, more violent side has led George R. R. Martin to hint that she may not actually be a true hero in A Song of Ice and Fire. In fact, she has a lot in common with the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen. Dany has shown a capacity to be violent and merciless, especially to those who oppose or defy her.

Examples of this include burning the witch named Durr, who had killed Drogo and Dany's unborn son; crucifying 163 Great masters of Mereen; scorching the khals, who had abused her in Vaes Dothrak; and even threatening to incinerate members of her own council. In the first 7 seasons of the show, this led fans to believe that if Dany too-closely abides by the creed of "fire and blood," her character could take a villainous turn.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

37. Fire Power

Prior to the Battle of Winterfell, it was estimated that Daenerys commanded 200,000 men, 500 ships and—after the Night King took Viserion—two full-grown dragons. Her loyal army consists not only of freed slaves, turncoats, barbarians, and exiles, but also the fierce Dothraki and the elite warrior-eunuchs known as The Unsullied. By contrast, Cersei and the Lannisters command a paltry 30,00 men.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

38. Good Story

Game of Thrones actors have shared many funny behind-the-scenes stories from the sets. One favorite is a story Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) told on Jimmy Kimmel: During the scene where she had to eat a horse’s heart she was completely covered in sticky fake blood. At one point Emilia disappeared from the set and no one could find her. Apparently, this was because of the sticky blood, which temporarily glued her to a toilet.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGetty Images

39. The Omens Prove True

Of course, in the disastrous final episodes of Game of Thrones, those who suspected that Daenerys would take a dark turn were proven to be correct. Isolated from her formerly trustworthy advisors and grieving the losses of Rhaegal, Ser Jorah, and Missandei, Dany ignores the bells of surrender and goes scorched earth—literally—on King's Landing. 

Her newfound, vengeful and absolutist approach to power causes those closest to her, primarily Tyrion and Jon Snow, to realize that perhaps they have made the wrong choice in supporting her. Jon tries to convince her that they should admit that the siege upon the people of King's Landing was a mistake, and that she should rule mercifully. When she objects, he embraces her before stabbing her in the chest.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

40. Fiery Vengeance

After Drogon realized that Daenerys was dead, it looked like he might take fiery vengeance on Jon Snow for his transgression. But, in a move that surprised many fans—and Jon himself—Drogon instead burned the Iron Throne until it was just a pile of scrap metal. There's been a lot of speculation why Drogon made this choice.

While many speculated that it's because the dragon recognized that Jon is a true Targaryen, which could even possibly mean he might also be somewhat fireproof, one theory is that he recognized that it was Dany's desire for the throne that killed her. And so, he melted the symbol of power that had driven her to madness and a vengeful massacre. 

Daenerys Targaryen FactsGame of Thrones; HBO

41. Laid to Rest

After burning the Iron Throne, Drogon takes Daenerys' body and flies off to an undisclosed location, leading many to wonder where exactly they went, and what happened to her? Well, a few scenes later, it's mentioned that Drogon was seen flying east. This would likely mean that he was returning to his birthplace, where Khal Drogo died.

Many will recall that Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion were all born from Drogo's funeral pyre. It seems like a likely thing for a heartbroken dragon to do, but only Bran the Broken/the Three-Eyed Raven will ever know for sure.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

42. Tell Me Something Good

In the aftermath of the GoT series finale, legions of fans have reacted strongly to the final moments of the show, and so have many cast members. Recently, Emilia Clarke revealed her thoughts on Daenerys’ fate. Clarke said she would’ve loved for Dany to have more scenes with Missandei and Cersei. And as for that last scene with Jon Snow? Despite the events that preceded it, she hoped that fans could see the naivete and innocence in her eyes as she enjoyed her final embrace with the man she loved.

Daenerys Targaryen factsGame of Thrones, HBO

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21


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