What sickness did Ragnar get? The mystery behind the Viking legend

Was Ragnar Lothbrok a real person—or a blend of many?

Before diving into the illness, let's clear one thing up: Ragnar Lothbrok, as we know him from the Vikings TV series, is part legend, part history. Historians believe he may have been based on multiple real Viking warriors, including Ragnall ua Ímair or Ragnar Sigurdsson. So yeah, piecing together facts is already... tricky.

But that doesn't mean we can't examine what might have been wrong with him based on the tales, shows, and sagas that survived.

The show’s take: Ragnar looked sick — but what was it?

In the later seasons of Vikings, Ragnar appears noticeably weaker. He coughs, stumbles, and looks like he’s constantly in pain. The change is subtle at first, but becomes more dramatic, especially after his time in Wessex and the years that follow.

Possible symptoms depicted:

• Chronic fatigue

• Persistent coughing

• Depression or emotional instability

• Physical frailty

So, what was going on? Fans and amateur sleuths have thrown out a few theories.

Theory 1: Tuberculosis – the Viking version of a slow killer

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the more popular theories. It fits the symptoms: weight loss, chronic cough, night sweats, fatigue... and it could've been very real in Ragnar’s time. Back then, TB wasn’t understood. People would just… waste away.

Some viewers argue his cough and slow deterioration fit this diagnosis too perfectly to be coincidence. But there's no confirmation in the show. It's all implied.

Still, it makes sense. TB was spread easily in tight quarters, and considering how often Vikings huddled on ships or in smoky longhouses, yeah—it tracks.

Theory 2: Leprosy – a long-shot, but a gnarly one

Another idea tossed around: leprosy, or Hansen’s disease. It’s chronic, disfiguring, and slow—like Ragnar’s decline.

But hold on. Leprosy often affects skin and nerves visibly, and we don’t really see Ragnar’s body fall apart that way. His face, hands, etc., seem fine. So maybe not? But the idea still floats out there in fan circles.

Theory 3: PTSD and emotional collapse

Okay, now this one's less “medical” in the physical sense, but worth mentioning.

Ragnar goes through hell emotionally:

• Betrayal by close friends

• Loss of Athelstan (that broke him, no lie)

• Guilt over his choices as king

• Watching his family suffer because of him

That kind of psychological trauma could manifest physically. There’s a strong case to be made that his illness wasn’t just in his body—it was weighing heavy on his soul.

My two cents (as a fan): probably a combo

Honestly, I don’t think Ragnar had just one illness. From the way he was portrayed, it looked like a mix of disease, mental decline, and spiritual exhaustion.

You know when someone just seems… done with life? That’s how he looked. His body was failing, but also his will. Even when he went back to England, it felt like a man on a final journey—not a comeback.

Did the real Ragnar, if he existed, have an illness?

No historical records mention a specific sickness. If he existed, he likely died in battle or execution, not from natural causes. So the sickness may have been a TV dramatization—or a way to humanize a legendary warrior who, let’s be honest, felt a little too superhuman in the early seasons.

Final thoughts: illness or symbolism?

Whether it was tuberculosis, a slow viral infection, deep depression, or just burnout from years of violence, Ragnar’s sickness in Vikings seemed like more than just a plot device.

It made the point that even the fiercest warrior—the King of Kings, the explorer, the dreamer—can be brought down by time, loss, and regret. That’s not just sickness. That’s mortality.

And damn, that hits hard.

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