Hafthor Bjornsson: Bell’s Palsy, Rivalry, and Net Worth

Seeing Hafthor Bjornsson deadlift 501 kg is astonishing, but the story behind that lift is even more compelling. The Icelandic strongman has faced a Bell’s palsy diagnosis, the stillbirth of his first child, and a public feud with Eddie Hall that culminated in a boxing match.

Height: 206 cm (6 ft 9 in) ·
Weight: 205 kg (452 lb) ·
Deadlift World Record: 501 kg (1,105 lb) ·
Spouse: Kelsey Henson ·
Children: 2 ·
Net Worth (estimated): $2–3 million

Nine key facts about Hafthor Bjornsson, one pattern: his life is a blend of record-breaking strength, personal adversity, and public spectacle.

What condition does Hafthor Bjornsson have?

Why is the mountain face paralyzed?

• Hafthor Bjornsson was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy in 2016, a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis on one side of the face (The Conversation).
• In a 2017 social-media post, he said he had “caught a virus called Bell’s palsy” that left half his face paralyzed (Reddit /r/Strongman).

He has since fully recovered, but the episode gave fans a rare glimpse of vulnerability behind the intimidating frame.

Does Hafthor Bjornsson have Bell’s palsy?

• Yes. He confirmed the diagnosis publicly, and the condition is well-documented.

The implication: Bell’s palsy, though temporary, added a human dimension to an athlete often seen as invincible.

The pattern: his physical peak and his lowest medical moment occurred in the same decade, underscoring a career defined by extremes.

Who is stronger, Eddie or Thor?

Why did Eddie and Thor fall out?

• The rivalry intensified after the disputed 2017 World’s Strongest Man contest, where a no-rep on the Viking press sparked controversy (Men’s Health UK).
• Hafthor reportedly said the decision “robbed” him of the title (Men’s Health UK).

How did their rivalry begin?

• Eddie Hall set a 500 kg deadlift world record in 2016.
• Hafthor broke that record in 2020 with a 501 kg lift in his own gym in Iceland (Fitness Volt).
• Hall criticized the lift because it wasn’t done in an official competition (Men’s Health UK).
• He later extended the record to 505 kg and then 510 kg (Men’s Health UK).
• The feud culminated in a boxing match on 19 March 2022, which Hafthor won by decision.

Five key differences between the two strongmen, one pattern: strength records are only part of the story.

The implication: neither man has conceded the title of strongest, and their respective records fuel an unresolved public argument.

When did Hafthor Bjornsson lose his daughter?

How old is Hafthor Bjornsson’s wife?

Kelsey Henson was born in 1993, making her 31 as of 2025. She married Hafthor in 2018.

How many children does the mountain have?

• Hafthor and Kelsey lost their first child, a daughter, to stillbirth in 2018.
• They have since had two sons: Stormur (born 2020) and Aðalsteinn (born 2023).

The pattern: personal tragedy has been a recurring theme, yet Hafthor continues to build a family alongside his athletic career.

What is Hafthor Bjornsson’s net worth?

• Estimated at $2–3 million as of 2025 (Fitness Volt).
• Income sources include strongman competitions, acting (Game of Thrones), endorsements, and boxing.
• He reportedly earned over $1 million from the Eddie Hall boxing match.

The catch: exact figures are unverified, but the boxing match alone likely doubled his annual earnings.

Is Hafþór Júlíus Bjornsson a Viking?

• He is Icelandic, but not a historical Viking.
• He played a Viking-like character, The Mountain, on Game of Thrones.
• He embraces Viking imagery in his persona and merchandise.

What this means: the Viking label is a marketing construct, but it resonates with his strength and heritage.

Timeline

• 1988: Born in Reykjavík, Iceland
• 2007–2010: Professional basketball career
• 2011: Started strongman career
• 2014: Cast as The Mountain in Game of Thrones
• 2016: Diagnosed with Bell’s palsy
• 2017: First World’s Strongest Man (runner-up)
• 2018: Wins World’s Strongest Man; marries Kelsey Henson; stillbirth of daughter
• 2020: Deadlifts 501 kg, world record; son Stormur born
• 2022: Boxing match vs Eddie Hall (win by decision)
• 2023: Second son Aðalsteinn born

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Quotes from the key figures

“I had caught a virus called Bell’s palsy that caused half of my face to become paralyzed.”

— Hafthor Bjornsson, 2017 social-media post (Reddit /r/Strongman)

Hall criticized the 501 kg lift because it was not done in an official competition, saying he would always be the first man to deadlift 500 kilos.

— Eddie Hall, as reported by Men’s Health UK

Hafthor said the 2017 decision “robbed” him of the World’s Strongest Man title.

— Hafthor Bjornsson, as reported by Men’s Health UK

Hafthor Bjornsson’s career arc is a study in contrasts: a man who overcame a temporary facial paralysis, turned personal tragedy into fuel, and transformed a rivalry into a global spectacle. For fans of strength sports, his story is a reminder that the biggest lifts are often the ones nobody sees.

Frequently asked questions