Most royal family trees have a few unfortunate endings scattered around. The Targaryens treat “unfortunate ending” as a family tradition. Here’s who died, how, and — where it actually matters to the story — when.
Why This Page Exists
Because “how did they die” is one of the most common questions asked about this dynasty, and honestly? Fair. This is a family where “died peacefully of old age” counts as a plot twist.
Death Table by Generation
| Character | Year Died (AC) | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|
| Daemon Targaryen | 130 AC | Killed in single combat during the Dance of the Dragons |
| Rhaenyra Targaryen | 130 AC | Killed on Aegon II’s orders during the Dance of the Dragons |
| Aegon II Targaryen | 131 AC | Died from complications following the civil war, shortly after Rhaenyra |
| Rhaegar Targaryen | 283 AC | Killed by Robert Baratheon in single combat at the Trident |
| Aerys II Targaryen | 283 AC | Killed by Jaime Lannister during the sack of King’s Landing |
| Viserys Targaryen (the exiled prince) | 298 AC | Killed by Khal Drogo |
| Daenerys Targaryen | ~305 AC (show timeline; not precisely dated on-screen) | Killed by Jon Snow, near the series’ end |
The Patterns, If You’re Into That
Look closely and a theme emerges: almost nobody in this family dies of natural causes. Civil war, single combat, betrayal, and the occasional dragon-adjacent incident do most of the work. It’s less “royal lineage” and more “extremely well-dressed cautionary tale.”
FAQ
Did any Targaryen actually die of old age?
A handful of the earlier, less show-covered kings did — but it’s notably rare compared to how many meet violent ends.
Who killed the Mad King?
Jaime Lannister, a member of his own Kingsguard — the act that earned Jaime the nickname “Kingslayer.”
How did Rhaegar Targaryen die?
Killed by Robert Baratheon in single combat at the Battle of the Trident, effectively ending Targaryen rule.