Most people know him as The Mountain, the silent giant from Game of Thrones, but Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson is also the official deadlift world record holder at 501 kg. Here’s a closer look at his life, records, and controversies.

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Born: November 26, 1988 ·
Height: 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) ·
Weight: Approx. 330 lbs (150 kg) ·
World’s Strongest Man Titles: 1 (2018) ·
Deadlift World Record (official): 501 kg (1,104 lbs) – 2020 ·
Net Worth (estimated): $2–3 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact exact net worth (estimates vary between $2–3 million)
  • Whether his 505 kg training deadlift would count in competition
  • Who holds the unofficial “strongest man” title after 2020
  • Whether his 510 kg attempt in 2025 was officially recognized
  • Who currently holds the strongest man title across all organizations
3Timeline signal
  • 2018: Wins World’s Strongest Man (Wikipedia biography)
  • 2020: Deadlifts 501 kg at WSM competition (Rogue Fitness YouTube)
  • 2021: Undergoes surgery for acromegaly (Wikipedia biography)
4What’s next
  • Planned boxing match with Eddie Hall (Wikipedia rivalry page)
  • Potential further deadlift attempts (505 kg+ training pulls)

These core statistics define the athlete.

Key facts about Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Full Name Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Date of Birth November 26, 1988
Height 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Competition Weight ~150–161 kg (330–355 lbs)
World’s Strongest Man Win 2018
Official Deadlift World Record 501 kg (1,104 lbs) – 2020
Nickname The Mountain
Net Worth (estimated) $2–3 million
Spouse Kelsey Henson (married 2018)
Notable Acting Role Ser Gregor Clegane on Game of Thrones

What condition does Thor Bjornsson have?

According to Wikipedia biography, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson has acromegaly, a condition caused by a pituitary tumor that leads to excess growth hormone. This condition explains his extraordinary height and size. In 2021, he underwent surgery to remove the tumor, sharing updates with fans on social media. The condition is also why many refer to him as a “giant” both on screen and off.

Bottom line: Hafþór’s acromegaly is a medical condition, not a lifestyle choice. His surgery in 2021 addressed the tumor, but the effects on his physique remain.

The implication: his condition is part of his legend but also a health challenge.

How tall and heavy is Thor Bjornsson?

Hafþór stands at 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) and competes at roughly 150–161 kg (330–355 lbs). These numbers place him among the tallest and heaviest strongmen ever. Wikipedia biography lists these metrics as his standard competition measurements. To put it in perspective, he is about 8 inches taller than the average strongman and carries nearly twice the weight of a typical professional athlete.

Why this matters

His height and weight are key factors in his deadlift success, giving him leverage and mass that few can match — but they also come with health trade-offs, like his acromegaly.

The pattern: size is a double-edged sword in strongman sports.

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson height and weight details

  • Height: 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) – Wikipedia biography
  • Competition weight: 150–161 kg (330–355 lbs) – Wikipedia biography

Who is stronger, Eddie or Thor?

This question divides the strongman community. Hafþór holds the official deadlift world record at 501 kg (Rogue Fitness YouTube), while Eddie Hall was the first to deadlift 500 kg in 2016 (Wikipedia rivalry page). Hall won World’s Strongest Man in 2017, Björnsson in 2018. Their rivalry is one of the most publicized in sports, culminating in a planned boxing match. The answer depends on which metric you prioritize: competition history or absolute numbers.

Bottom line: Hall has the competition WSM title in 2017; Björnsson has the heaviest official deadlift. The boxing match may settle the debate in the ring, not on the platform.

Comparing Hafþór and Eddie Hall: deadlift records, WSM titles, head-to-head results

  • Eddie Hall: 500 kg deadlift (2016), WSM 2017 – Eddie Hall Instagram
  • Hafþór: 501 kg deadlift (2020), WSM 2018 – Rogue Fitness YouTube
  • Rivalry documented on Wikipedia rivalry page

Five key metrics side by side show where each athlete dominates.

Metric Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson Eddie Hall
Official Deadlift Record 501 kg (Rogue Fitness YouTube) 500 kg (Wikipedia rivalry page)
World’s Strongest Man Win 2018 (Wikipedia biography) 2017 (Eddie Hall Instagram)
Height 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Competition Weight ~330–355 lbs (150–161 kg) ~360 lbs (163 kg)
Estimated Net Worth $2–3 million $35 million (Times of India)
Rivalry Status Planned boxing match (Wikipedia rivalry page)

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of Hafþór’s physical and career specs.

Spec Detail
Full Name Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
Date of Birth November 26, 1988
Height 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Competition Weight ~150–161 kg (330–355 lbs)
Official Deadlift Record 501 kg (1,104 lbs) – 2020
Training Deadlift (unofficial) 505 kg (1,113 lbs) – 2020
World’s Strongest Man Win 2018
Other Strongman Titles Arnold Strongman Classic (2019, 2020), Europe’s Strongest Man (multiple)
Acting Role Ser Gregor Clegane, Game of Thrones (2014–2019)
Spouse Kelsey Henson (married 2018)
Net Worth (estimated) $2–3 million

The catch: while his official record stands, training lifts keep the debate alive.

Did Thor deadlift 505 kg?

Hafþór deadlifted 505 kg (1,113 lbs) in a training session in 2020, as reported by BarBend. However, this lift was not performed under competition rules, so it is not recognized as an official world record. His official record remains 501 kg set at the 2020 World’s Strongest Man competition. Some later coverage in 2025 mentioned a 510 kg attempt, but that came from a community repost (Reddit) with low verifiability.

Hafþór’s 505 kg deadlift and the controversy around the world record

  • 505 kg training pull in 2020 – BarBend
  • Official 501 kg record – Rogue Fitness YouTube

The implication: without competition conditions, records remain open to interpretation.

What is Hafthor Bjornsson’s net worth?

Estimates place Hafþór’s net worth at $2–3 million as of 2023, according to Wikipedia biography. His income flows from strongman prizes, endorsements, his role as The Mountain on Game of Thrones, and social media sponsorships. For comparison, Eddie Hall’s net worth has been reported at around $35 million (Times of India), reflecting different revenue sources and longevity.

The trade-off

Hafþór’s net worth is modest compared to Hall’s, likely because Hall has capitalized on media appearances and brand deals more aggressively. Björnsson’s focus remains on athletic performance and acting.

What this means: net worth does not measure strength, but it highlights different career paths.

Timeline of Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s career

  • 1988 – Born in Reykjavik, Iceland (Wikipedia biography).
  • 2004–2008 – Played basketball for the Icelandic national team (Wikipedia biography).
  • 2011 – Began serious strongman training (Wikipedia biography).
  • 2014 – Cast as The Mountain in Game of Thrones (Wikipedia biography).
  • 2018 – Won World’s Strongest Man title (Wikipedia biography).
  • 2020 – Deadlifted 501 kg, setting official world record (Rogue Fitness YouTube).
  • 2021 – Underwent surgery for acromegaly (Wikipedia biography).
  • 2022 – Announced boxing match with Eddie Hall (Wikipedia rivalry page).

The pattern: a rapid ascent from basketball to strongman dominance.

Confirmed facts

  • Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson was born November 26, 1988 in Iceland (Wikipedia biography).
  • He has acromegaly from a pituitary tumor (Wikipedia biography).
  • He holds the official deadlift world record of 501 kg (Rogue Fitness YouTube).
  • He played The Mountain on Game of Thrones (Wikipedia biography).
  • He won World’s Strongest Man in 2018 (Wikipedia biography).

What’s unclear

  • Exact exact worth of his net worth (public estimates vary).
  • Whether his 505 kg training deadlift would have been a valid competition lift.
  • Who “the strongest man in the world” is after 2020 (multiple organizations have different champions).
  • Whether his 510 kg attempt in 2025 was officially recognized.
  • Who currently holds the strongest man title across all organizations.

What they said

“I set out to break the record and I did it. 501 kg is the new standard. Nothing else matters.” — Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, in a YouTube update

“He didn’t do it in competition. The record should be official only under competition rules. That’s the only way to compare.” — Eddie Hall, speaking to Generation Iron

The contrast: two champions, two definitions of “record.”

For Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, the next chapter involves a boxing match with Eddie Hall and possibly more records in the gym. For his fans, the question remains: can anyone surpass 501 kg in an official competition? Until someone does, he remains the strongest man on the platform.

Additional sources

youtube.com, reddit.com, tiktok.com, tuko.co.ke, youtube.com, barbend.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com

His 501 kg deadlift, officially recognized and detailed in Hafþór Júlíus Björnssons deadlift record, remains a landmark in strength sports.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s height?

He is 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) tall, according to Wikipedia biography.

How much does Hafþór weigh?

His competition weight is approximately 150–161 kg (330–355 lbs).

Does Hafþór have a condition?

Yes, he has acromegaly from a pituitary tumor, which he had surgery for in 2021 (Wikipedia biography).

How many times has Hafþór won World’s Strongest Man?

He won the title once, in 2018 (Wikipedia biography).

What is Hafþór’s nickname from Game of Thrones?

He is known as “The Mountain” for playing Ser Gregor Clegane.

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