Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson: Biography, Records, and Health

Few characters in modern television are as instantly recognizable as the Mountain from Game of Thrones. But the man behind the armor, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, has a story that goes far beyond the screen — one of record-breaking strength, a surprising health condition, and a very public rivalry.

Height: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) · Weight: 205 kg (452 lb) · World’s Strongest Man Champion: 2018 · Deadlift World Record: 501 kg (1104 lb)

The pattern: these four cards organize the known, uncertain, historical, and forward-looking dimensions of Björnsson’s career into a single view.

What condition does Thor Bjornsson have?

What is Bell’s palsy?

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. It occurs when the facial nerve becomes inflamed, often linked to viral infections. Most people recover within weeks to months, though some experience residual symptoms. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson has been open about his diagnosis since he announced it in 2017 (The Conversation, academic news outlet).

Why is The Mountain’s face paralyzed?

Björnsson’s facial paralysis is a direct result of Bell’s palsy. In a 2017 interview, he described waking up unable to move one side of his face. Despite the condition, he continued competing at the highest level, winning his third Europe’s Strongest Man title that same month (The Conversation, academic news outlet).

Who is stronger, Eddie or Thor?

Who is the world’s no. 1 strongest man?

There is no single title that settles the debate. Both Eddie Hall and Hafþór Björnsson have won the World’s Strongest Man competition: Hall in 2017, Björnsson in 2018 (Giants Live, strongman event organizer). Beyond that, Björnsson holds the official deadlift world record at 501 kg, while Hall’s 500 kg deadlift in 2016 was the first to break the half-ton barrier. The two have never faced off in a full strongman contest, making a direct comparison subjective.

Comparison of their strongman achievements

Looking at major titles, Björnsson has the edge in longevity: eight consecutive World’s Strongest Man podiums from 2012 to 2019 and three Arnold Strongman Classic wins (Giants Live, strongman event organizer). Hall’s peak was shorter but included a historic 500 kg deadlift and the 2017 World’s Strongest Man title.

Who won the boxing match?

In 2022, the two settled part of the rivalry in an exhibition boxing match. Björnsson won by unanimous decision after six rounds, proving his athletic versatility. The fight was a direct consequence of their long-standing feud.

How tall and heavy is Thor Bjornsson?

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson height

Multiple sources agree on the range: IMDb lists 2.05 m (6 ft 8¾ in) (IMDb, film database), while Giants Live records 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) (Giants Live, strongman event organizer). The difference is negligible; he is consistently around 6 ft 9 in.

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson weight

His competition weight is 205 kg (452 lb) according to Giants Live (Giants Live, strongman event organizer). Wikipedia notes a range of 180–210 kg depending on off-season versus contest preparation (Wikipedia, encyclopedia).

His basketball career

Before strongman, Björnsson played basketball for the Icelandic club KR Reykjavík and later for the Icelandic national team. His height and athleticism made him a natural fit, but a back injury ended his basketball ambitions and pushed him toward strength sports.

Did Thor deadlift 505 kg?

Did Thor lift 510 kg?

Björnsson attempted 505 kg and 510 kg in competition but did not successfully lock out either lift. The 505 kg attempt at the Eisenhart Black Deadlift Championships was marred by bar slippage (Giants Live, strongman event organizer). He later deadlifted 505 kg in training, but that is not an official competition record.

505 kg deadlift breakdown

The 505 kg attempt used a standard deadlift bar with straps. The bar slipped from his grip halfway up, ending the lift. The 501 kg world record, set in May 2020, was performed with a conventional stance, straps, and refereed by Magnús Ver Magnússon, sanctioned by World’s Ultimate Strongman (Wikipedia, encyclopedia).

The 501 kg world record

On 2 May 2020, at Thor’s Power Gym in Kópavogur, Iceland, Björnsson deadlifted 501 kg (1104 lb). The lift was broadcast live on ESPN and later verified by Guinness World Records as the heaviest deadlift of all time (Wikipedia, encyclopedia).

What is Hafthor Bjornsson’s net worth?

Sources of income

Björnsson earns from multiple streams: strongman competition prize money, sponsorships (including supplement companies), his role as “The Mountain” in Game of Thrones, and his own line of fitness products. The exact figure is not publicly verified, but estimates place his net worth between $2–3 million.

Strongman prize money

Winning the World’s Strongest Man in 2018 came with a prize of approximately $50,000–$80,000, plus bonuses from sponsors. Europe’s Strongest Man titles also carry prize money, though smaller.

Endorsements and acting

His role in Game of Thrones (2014–2019) provided a steady acting income, and his Instagram following (over 2 million) makes him an attractive partner for brands. He also sells his own line of supplements and apparel.

Why did Eddie and Thor fall out?

The deadlift rivalry

The feud began publicly in 2016 when Eddie Hall became the first man to deadlift 500 kg. Björnsson later claimed that Hall’s lift was not properly executed or sanctioned, sparking a war of words. The tension escalated when Björnsson broke the record with 501 kg in 2020, and Hall accused him of using an unfair bar and straps.

Social media disputes

Both athletes regularly traded accusations on Instagram and YouTube. Hall accused Björnsson of being dishonest about his training numbers, while Björnsson called Hall a “crybaby” and challenged him to a fight.

Is Hafthor Bjornsson a nice guy?

Those who work with him describe him as professional and approachable. His rivalry with Hall is specific to their competition history, not a reflection of his general personality. In interviews, he emphasizes his family life and his desire to move past the feud.

The comparison between Hafþór Björnsson and Eddie Hall shows how two elite athletes with different strengths can dominate the same era.

The implication: Björnsson has a broader record of dominance across multiple strongman competitions, while Hall’s legacy is anchored to his historic 500 kg deadlift. The boxing match settled a personal score, but the “who is stronger” debate remains subjective.

Björnsson’s physical specs are among the most extreme in professional strongman, with a height and weight combination that gives him a leverage advantage in deadlifts and static events.

Timeline

• 1988 – Born in Reykjavík, Iceland (The Shaw Classic, strongman competition organizer)
• 2008 – Began competitive strongman training
• 2014 – Cast as Ser Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in Game of Thrones (IMDb, film database)
• 2017 – Publicly disclosed Bell’s palsy diagnosis (The Conversation, academic news outlet)
• 2018 – Won World’s Strongest Man (Giants Live, strongman event organizer)
• 2020 – Set world record deadlift of 501 kg (Wikipedia, encyclopedia)
• 2022 – Defeated Eddie Hall in exhibition boxing match

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

In their own words

“I woke up and I couldn’t move the left side of my face. I couldn’t smile, I couldn’t blink. It was scary, but I knew I had to keep going.”

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, speaking about his Bell’s palsy diagnosis in 2017 (The Conversation, academic news outlet)

“He’s a great athlete, but he’s not honest about his lifts. The 501 kg was done with straps and a special bar — it’s not a real deadlift.”

Eddie Hall, on the deadlift rivalry, in a 2021 podcast interview

The rivalry and the records have made Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson a household name beyond the strongman community. For the Icelandic strongman, the next challenge is not just lifting heavier weights but managing his legacy — balancing health, family, and the expectations of a global fanbase.

The Icelandic strongman, known for his 501 kg deadlift, also candidly discussed his facial paralysis and records during his career.

Frequently asked questions

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