Daenerys Targaryen is the youngest child of King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen and the sister of Prince Rhaegar and Prince Viserys. Born in exile during Robert’s Rebellion, she marries Khal Drogo, gains the dragons Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, and later presses her claim to the Iron Throne. This article maps her immediate family, ancestral line, and pivotal relationships, clarifying parentage, marriage, bloodline, and succession context. It focuses on verifiable lineage and roles rather than speculation, serving as a durable reference for her place in Targaryen history.
Parentage and Birth Context
Daenerys is born to King Aerys Ii Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen in the final years of Robert’s Rebellion. Her birth occurs in the free city of Dragonstone while the realm turns against the Targaryens. Understanding her parentage is central to her claim, as both parents carry the royal bloodline that defines House Targaryen. Her father, Aerys, rules as the Mad King; her mother, Rhaella, is a stabilizing, devout figure. This section outlines the political and familial circumstances at the time of her birth.
King Aerys Ii Targaryen
Aerys II, known as the Mad King, rules the Seven Kingdoms until his descent into paranoia and cruelty fuels rebellion. His decisions directly precipitate the collapse of Targaryen rule. His relationship with Rhaella and the upbringing of their children shape Daenerys’s early worldview. The loss of the throne and his eventual death mark a turning point for the family.
Queen Rhaella Targaryen
Rhaella is portrayed as gentle and faithful, providing emotional anchor to her children amid growing instability. She supports Viserys and Daenerys during exile and dies in childbirth not long after Robert’s coronation. Her faith and resilience influence Daenerys’s later sense of duty and maternal instincts, particularly toward her own bloodriders and followers.
Sibling Relationships and Roles
Daenerys has one older brother, Rhaegar Targaryen, and one younger brother, Viserys Targaryen. Rhaegar, the crown prince, is largely absent from her early life but is rumored to have secretly married Elia Martell, making his daughter Aegon a potential rival. Viserys, despite being younger, claims kingship before her and often treats her as a bargaining chip, leading to tension and violence between them. These dynamics shape her trust and decisions throughout her journey.
Rhaegar Targaryen
As heir apparent, Rhaegar disappears from court life before the rebellion. Allegations of a secret marriage to Elia Martell and fathering a son create succession questions. His death at the Trident removes a central figure from Targaryen lineage and leaves Daenerys as the last surviving child of Aerys and Rhaella.
Viserys Targaryen
Viserys grows up in exile, insisting he is the rightful king and pressuring Daenerys into marriage to secure support. His abusive behavior contrasts with Daenerys’s growing independence. His death in the Dothraki sea cements her transformation into a decisive leader willing to break tradition.
Extended Family and Relatives
Daenerys’s extended family includes uncles, cousins, and distant relatives scattered across Essos and Westeros. Notable figures include Lord Tywin Lannister, who resents the Targaryen fall, and various Martell relatives connected by the rumored marriage of Rhaegar. She also interacts with Illyrio Mopatis and later allies such as Jon Snow, whose parentage ties back to Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark. These connections complicate her claim and alliances.
- Uncles and cousins through Aerys’s line, mostly absent or hostile.
- Martell kin through Rhaegar’s rumored marriage to Elia.
- Targaryen loyalists in Essos who support her claim.
- Jon Snow’s lineage linking Targaryen and Stark blood.
Marriage and Dragons
Daenerys’s marriage to Khal Drogo links her to the Dothraki and provides military strength. Later marriages to Hizdahr zo Loraq and her symbolic self-proclamation as queen reflect her evolving strategy. The dragons Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, hatched from eggs, become central to her power and legacy. They are both family in a symbolic sense—named for her brothers—and instruments of conquest that reshape the political landscape.
The Dragons As Family
The three dragons are named after her brothers, embedding family memory into her legacy. Their growth parallels her rise from frightened exile to ruling queen. Drogon, associated with her, becomes her mount and symbol of authority. The loss and legacy of Rhaegal and Viserion inform her later decisions and vulnerabilities.
Ancestral Line and Bloodline Claims
House Targaryen descends from Aegon I, who conquered the Seven Kingdoms, and from older Valyrian dragonlords. Daenerys carries this bloodline through both parents, making her one of the few remaining direct descendants. Her claim rests on being the last surviving child of Aerys II and being a Targaryen in blood and dragon heritage. This contrasts with pretenders and adopted heirs, underscoring her pivotal role in potential restoration.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Parents | King Aerys Ii Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen | In-episode dialogue, official supplementary material |
| Siblings | Rhaegar Targaryen (older), Viserys Targaryen (younger) | In-episode dialogue, official supplementary material |
| Dragons | Drogon, Rhaegal, Viserion (named after family members) | Series dialogue, behind-the-scenes materials |
| Key Marriages | Khal Drogo; symbolic roles in Meereen | In-episode dialogue, show documentation |
| Primary Claim | Last surviving child of Aerys II with direct Targaryen blood | Narrative canon, supplementary sourcebooks |
Key Relationships and Political Impact
Daenerys’s relationships with Drogo, Jorah Mormont, Tyrion Lannister, and later Jon Snow shape her rule. Jorah provides counsel and loyalty; Tyrion brings administrative expertise; Jon’s heritage complicates her claim but also aligns interests. Her decisions in Meereen, her invasion of Westeros, and her eventual break with institutional rule all stem from how these bonds interact with her Targaryen legacy. Understanding these connections is vital to interpreting her actions.
Claim, Succession, and Legacy
After Robert’s Rebellion, Daenerys is among the few with uncontested Targaryen succession rights, aside from distant claims like Aegon VI. Her dragons and acquired armies make her a formidable force. The series positions her as a ruler balancing liberation and conquest, with her legacy influenced by family history, choices, and the weight of her ancestors. Her story remains a touchstone in discussions of dynastic continuity and transformation.
Conclusion
Daenerys Targaryen’s family tree is defined by the collapse of the Mad King, exile, strategic marriage, dragon lineage, and complex sibling dynamics. Her claim originates from being the last surviving child of Aerys II, while her relationships and choices redefine Targaryen power in Westeros. This overview provides a clear, sourced foundation for understanding her role, useful for both long-term fans and those encountering her story in adaptations.