For nearly two decades, Captain Sig Hansen has been one of the most recognizable faces in the world of commercial crab fishing, braving the brutal, icy waters of the Bering Sea on Discovery’s hit series Deadliest Catch. But beyond the cameras and the pounding surf, Hansen and his wife, June, have faced storms of their own — ones far more personal and life-threatening than anything the sea could throw at them.
Fans will recall that the veteran crabber’s health battles first became public in 2016, when Deadliest Catch documented his harrowing heart attack at sea. Just two years later, tragedy nearly struck again. In a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hansen revealed that a reaction to antibiotics had triggered a second heart attack — one even more terrifying than the first.
“My wife and I were driving, and I started to swell up — my throat, hands, everything,” he recalled. “I was choking out on the interstate. She called 911, I kept driving 100 miles an hour and went right to the ER. The nurse said I probably had less than 10 minutes.”
Against the odds, Hansen survived the incident — but life dealt another blow soon after. During season 15 of Deadliest Catch, he learned that June had been diagnosed with cancer. The devastating news was a gut punch, but the couple’s resilience shone through. Fortunately, the cancer was detected early enough for effective treatment, and just two months later, Country Living reported that Discovery representatives confirmed June was “doing fine.”
Now, years later, the couple has emerged stronger — and Sig Hansen is speaking out about their journey and where they stand today.
Sig Hansen Gives Hopeful Health Update
In an exclusive interview with Parade while promoting the upcoming 21st season of Deadliest Catch, Hansen revealed the encouraging news that his doctors say his heart is now “20 percent stronger” than before. The captain also shared that he has made significant lifestyle changes, including partially quitting cigarettes — a vice he openly admits has been difficult to give up.
“I despise cigarettes, but they are very addicting,” Hansen admitted. “I’m doing my best to put them behind me.”
Equally uplifting is the news about June’s health. According to Hansen, she has been walking alongside him — literally — in their shared commitment to healthier living. The two now take daily walks together and have embraced a balanced diet, turning their personal health journey into a shared mission.
“I’m always busy, and for me, that’s healthy,” Hansen said, explaining that keeping an active schedule helps keep his mind and body strong.
Facing the Future — and Stepping Back from the Wheelhouse
While Hansen’s recovery has been inspiring, he is also in a period of transition. In a People exclusive published August 1, the seasoned fisherman announced that he is stepping down from his role as full-time captain — a decision driven by a desire to spend more time with family and to savor a life that has been defined by high-stakes risk for decades.
“I’ve been there, done that,” Hansen reflected. “It’s time to make more memories on land.”
Still, Hansen hasn’t lost his appetite for adventure. Earlier this year, he embarked on a daring voyage into 50-foot seas, pushing farther west than anyone has in the past 30 years. “We went as far west as we legally could up above there,” he said, describing the journey as “nostalgic” and admitting it was a thrill to visit an abandoned Alaskan island in the process.
Passing the Torch
If Hansen is easing back, he’s doing so with the confidence that his legacy is in good hands — specifically, those of his daughter, Mandy. At just 30 years old and a mother of one, she has stepped into her father’s shoes as a ship’s captain, continuing the family tradition of grit, leadership, and seamanship.
“My daughter impressed me,” Hansen said with pride. “Watching her take control of her own boat… it’s something every father hopes to see — that next generation carrying on what you’ve built.”
Through near-death experiences, personal battles, and the relentless demands of a life at sea, Sig Hansen has proven himself as not just a fisherman, but a survivor. And now, as he and June chart this next chapter together — healthier, closer, and focused on the future — the waves ahead look calmer, yet no less full of purpose.
