Sig Hansen Had Two Heart Attacks—And Deadliest Catch Fans Had No Idea
For nearly two decades, Captain Sig Hansen has been the face of Deadliest Catch — chain-smoking, storm-braving, and generally refusing to die.
But behind the scenes, fans had no idea just how close he came to stepping off the deck for good.
Turns out, Hansen has survived not one, but two heart attacks, and both happened while he was still actively filming the show.
The first occurred in 2016, mid-season, while helming the F/V Northwestern. At the time, Discovery's social media team tweeted:
"While he wanted to keep going, the crew insisted that they dock to get help. He was airlifted to Anchorage, Alaska, and immediately rushed to a medical facility. He is with his family and in good spirits. Please send him your love and prayers!"
On air, the moment was jarring. With a cigarette dangling from his mouth, Hansen told the camera, "I don't understand why it hurts so much right here," clutching his chest and insisting he wasn't dying. He kept filming, right up until it became clear he was in serious danger. Doctors later confirmed he'd suffered what's commonly called the "Widow Maker" — a type of heart attack that often ends in death.
Then, in 2018, Hansen had a second heart attack, triggered by a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics he was taking for a sinus infection. He told Entertainment Weekly:
"They gave me the EpiPen, and then my body went into a shock."
That incident finally convinced him to give up smoking for good. He told TV Insider:
"When I got out the next day, day after, then I said to myself, 'You know what, that's it.' I was embarrassed and ashamed of myself, and that's when I threw [the cigarettes] away."
Despite everything, Hansen has never taken a permanent step back. Instead, he's used his experiences to lead by example — even helping fellow captains face their own health scares. During Season 20, longtime co-star Captain Keith Colburn suffered a suspected cardiac event that had fans debating whether it was a heart attack or stroke. Hansen's example likely helped Colburn take it seriously and get the attention he needed.
He's also spent years mentoring the next generation. He gave Captain Jake Anderson his start on the F/V Northwestern, and when Anderson lost his own boat in Season 20, Sig gave him a lifeline and a place to land. Meanwhile, he's been grooming his daughter, Mandy Hansen, to take over the family business — though whether Sig actually retires is anyone's guess.
Deadliest Catch returns August 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Discovery Channel. Episodes will also be available to stream on Max.