Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson is an Icelandic professional strongman, actor, and former professional basketball player renowned for his extraordinary feats of strength and his role in popular culture.
Born on November 26, 1988, Björnsson has established himself as one of the greatest strength athletes of all time. He has won numerous national and international strongman competitions, including World’s Strongest Man in 2018.
You can follow Thor Bjornsson’s net worth, salary, prize money, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more here.
Thor Bjornsson’s Net Worth Details
Thor Bjornsson’s net worth is estimated to be $14.99 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his competition winnings and income as a professional strongman, actor, former professional basketball player, business ventures, endorsements, and other sources.
Earnings
Björnsson’s career earnings combine prize money from strongman competitions, his acting career, notably “The Mountain” in Game of Thrones, and his recent foray into professional boxing.
On YouTube, Hafthor Björnsson earns about $119k monthly, showcasing the diverse nature of his income streams.
In addition to his YouTube earnings, Björnsson has received significant prize money from his strongman competitions. For instance, he was awarded $75,000 when he was named the World’s Ultimate Strongman in 2018.
His earnings were also contributed to by his victories in the Arnold Strongman Classic, which he won 3 consecutive years from 2018 to 2020.
The 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic had a total prize pool of $182,000, with the first-place winner receiving $80,000.
Björnsson’s venture into boxing added another dimension to his career earnings. In his highly publicized match against Eddie Hall, both fighters agreed to donate the prize money to charity, each committing $200,000 to a charity of the winner’s choice.
Endorsements
Throughout his career, Björnsson has been involved in various endorsements, investments, and business ventures.
His endorsements include:
- Co-founder and brand ambassador of Thor’s Skyr, a traditional Icelandic high-protein cultured dairy product.
- Owner of ‘Thor’s Power Apparel,’ a family business retailing branded merchandise.
- Brand ambassador for SodaStream.
- Has worked with brands such as Karate Combat, Monster Energy, and car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz.
- Ambassador for Reign Total Body Fuel, a performance energy drink.
About Thor Bjornsson
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson |
| Nickname | The Mountain |
| Birth Date | November 26, 1988 |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
| Weight | 180–205 kg (397–452 lb.) |
| Birthplace | Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Turned Professional | 2009 (Strongman) |
| Current Net Worth | $14.99 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Kelsey Henson |
| Instagram Profile | @thorbjornsson |
Born on November 26, 1988, in Reykjavík, Iceland, Thor Bjornsson was destined for greatness.
His parents, Bjorn Thor Reynisson and Ragnheidur Margret Juliusdottir gave him a name that echoes the Norse god of thunder, which is also the genetic blueprint for his future endeavors in strength sports.
Thor grew up alongside his siblings, including his sister Hafdís Lind Björnsdóttir, in a family known for their impressive stature and athletic prowess.
Early Career
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s early career was in basketball, where he played as a center for several Division I teams in Iceland. He was a promising prospect, even playing for the Icelandic National Team in 2006.
Between 2004 and 2006, Hafþór played 32 games for the Icelandic junior national basketball teams and 8 with Iceland’s U-18 national team in Division B.
He won the Nordic championship with the U-16 team in May 2004 and again in 2006.
However, recurrent ankle injuries led to surgeries that ultimately forced him to retire from basketball at 20.
After transitioning from basketball to strongman, Hafþór met four-time World’s Strongest Man Magnus Ver Magnusson in 2008, which set him on a path to a great career in the sport.
Professional Career
Numerous titles and records distinguish Björnsson’s strongman career. After several years of podium finishes, he won the World’s Strongest Man competition 2018.
He is also known for significantly winning the Arnold Strongman Classic from 2018 to 2020. Björnsson set a world record in the Elephant Bar deadlift with a lift of 1,046 pounds at the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2019.
After initially retiring from strongman competitions in 2020, Björnsson shifted his focus to professional boxing. In his first fight, he defeated his rival and fellow former strongman Eddie Hall.
Despite his retirement announcement in 2020, Björnsson made a comeback to the strongman arena.
He competed in the Arnold Strongman Classic 2024, performing impressively, particularly in the Elephant Bar Deadlift event, where he lifted 1,006 pounds.
Acting Career
In August 2013, Björnsson was cast as Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane for the fourth season of the HBO series ‘Game of Thrones,’ marking his first significant acting role.
He became the first actor to portray the character in more than one season, continuing the role through season 8.
His portrayal of “The Mountain” brought him international fame and recognition beyond the strongman community.
Wife
Thor Bjornsson is married to Kelsey Henson, whom he met during a strongman event in Canada. She was working as a waitress.
The couple tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed a child together.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
| Strongman Titles | Multiple |
| Acting Roles | “Game of Thrones” and others |
| Boxing Record | 1-0 (Win against Eddie Hall) |
Career Achievements
Thor Bjornsson, also known as Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, has had a remarkable career that has spanned various fields, including sports and entertainment.
Here are some of his notable achievements:
- In 2018, Bjornsson won the World’s Strongest Man competition, marking a pinnacle in his strongman career.
- He has won Iceland’s Strongest Man ten times, showcasing his dominance in his home country.
- Bjornsson has also claimed the title of Europe’s Strongest Man five times, further establishing his reputation on the continental stage.
- From 2018 to 2020, he won the Arnold Strongman Classic for three consecutive years, one of the most prestigious strongman contests globally.
- Notably, he broke a world record in 2015 at the World’s Strongest Viking competition in Norway by carrying a 10 m (33 ft) long, 650 kg (1,430 lb) log for five steps, a feat that had not been accomplished in 1000 years.
- Bjornsson set the world record for the heaviest deadlift at 501 kg (1,104 lb), surpassing Eddie Hall’s previous record.
FAQs
1. When and where was Thor Bjornsson born?
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson was born on November 26, 1988, in Reykjavík, Iceland. Growing up in the Icelandic countryside, he developed an early interest in sports, particularly basketball, before transitioning to strength training after a career-ending injury at age 20.
2. Why is he called “Thor” and “The Mountain”?
The nickname “Thor” stems from his Icelandic name and mythical presence. “The Mountain” refers to his portrayal of Ser Gregor Clegane in HBO’s Game of Thrones, a role he landed due to his 6’9” stature and 400-pound physique during the show’s fourth season.
3. What are his major strongman achievements?
Bjornsson won the 2018 World’s Strongest Man, five Europe’s Strongest Man titles (2014–2019), and three consecutive Arnold Strongman Classics (2018–2020). He holds the deadlift world record of 501 kg (1,104 lbs), set in 2020, and a decade-long reign as Iceland’s Strongest Man (2010–2020).
4. How did he transition from basketball to strongman?
A promising basketball player in his youth, Thor played for Iceland’s national team until recurring knee injuries forced him to retire at 20. He began strength training at Jakaból Gym, winning his first Iceland’s Strongest Man title in 2010, sparking his legendary strongman career.
5. What acting roles has he pursued?
Beyond Game of Thrones, Thor appeared in films like The Northman (2022), Pharaoh’s War (2023), and Operation Ragnarok (2024). His size and screen presence made him a natural fit for physically imposing characters in historical and action genres.
6. What is Thor’s height, weight, and physical stats?
Bjornsson stands 6’9” (206 cm) and competed at 400+ lbs (170+ kg). His arm circumference reaches 20 inches (53 cm), and his career-best lifts include a 507 lb (230 kg) bench press, 849 lb (385 kg) squat, and 992 lb (450 kg) deadlift.
7. How does he manage his diet and training?
During peak competition years, Thor consumed 10,000+ daily calories, emphasizing lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats. His training split focused on event-specific strength (logs, axles, stones) and explosive power, with minimal traditional cardio to preserve muscle mass.
8. What injuries or health issues has he faced?
He sustained a torn pectoral muscle in 2023 during a bench press event and battled Bell’s palsy in 2017, causing temporary facial paralysis. Thor has openly discussed past steroid use but never failed a drug test during his competitive career.
9. What businesses does Thor own or endorse?
He co-founded Icelandic Mountain Vodka and Thor’s Skyr, a protein-rich dairy brand. Thor also operates a merchandise line (Thor’s Power Apparel) and partners with fitness companies like Rogue Fitness, which released his signature power bar and apparel.
10. Is he still active in strength sports?
After retiring from strongman in 2020, Thor briefly pursued boxing, defeating Eddie Hall in 2022. He returned for the 2024 Rogue Invitational, breaking his own 56 lb weight-over-bar record, and remains involved in strength exhibitions while focusing on entrepreneurship and acting.
