Sig Hansen Opens Up About Health Scare, Mortality, and the Possibility of Retirement from ‘Deadliest Catch’
After decades of braving the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea, Captain Sig Hansen—one of the most iconic figures on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch—is finally confronting a reality he long resisted: retirement. Following a frightening medical emergency during the Season 21 finale on October 31, viewers and medical professionals alike have urged the 59-year-old fisherman to consider stepping away from the helm. And for the first time, Hansen admits he’s seriously thinking about it.
In an emotional interview with People, Hansen reflected on his health, his legacy, and the shifting priorities that come with age and family. “I’m a fisherman — you’ve got to remember, you’re talking to a professional liar here,” he joked, referencing his past declarations that he would never retire. “I lie for a living. You do know that, right?”
But the humor masks a sobering truth. During the finale, Hansen collapsed aboard his beloved vessel, the Northwestern, prompting an emergency hospital visit. The incident was especially alarming given his history—he’s already survived two heart attacks. Hansen revealed to his doctor that he’d been awake for over 36 hours, consuming between 15 to 20 cups of coffee, and still smoking regularly. The doctor’s advice was blunt: quit smoking, cut back on caffeine, and seriously consider retirement.
Though Hansen has long resisted the idea of leaving the sea, this latest scare has forced him to reevaluate. “I think I’ve got a few more years left in me,” he said. “But I think about it all the time. And when I do think about retiring, it’s only because I’ve lost so many people, and I’m more fearful every time we go out on the water. You think about your own mortality, and I’m fearful.”
That fear is not unfounded. Deadliest Catch has witnessed its share of tragedy. Captain Phil Harris suffered a stroke during Season 6 and died days later from an intracranial hemorrhage. His successor, Captain Tony Lara, also passed away from a heart attack in 2015. These losses weigh heavily on Hansen, who now finds himself more cautious and introspective than ever before.
Becoming a grandfather has also shifted Hansen’s perspective. “I don’t have the same mentality I did as before, where you look at everything as a challenge,” he admitted. “I’ve been there, done that, and now I want to spend more time with my family, my wife June. Look at all the years and decades that she’s given up for me, waiting. It’s got to go the other way.”
Hansen now has four grandchildren, and their presence has softened his once hard-edged focus on fishing. “I used to laugh at all these old-timers when they brag about their grandkids and talk about how that’s their whole world. I’m like, ‘You guys are nuts. Can’t we talk about fishing?’ And now, I’m one of those guys. Can’t help it. And I love it. I really do.”
While retirement is not yet official, Hansen acknowledges that it’s “obvious” and “going to happen.” Fortunately, the future of the Northwestern appears secure. His daughter Mandy has stepped into a leadership role, captaining her own vessel and proving herself capable of continuing the family legacy. “Mandy is a go-getter, she’s got the right attitude,” Hansen said proudly. “If she does want to take over permanently, or her husband, Clark, who’s with us as well and doing a tremendous job, I don’t have a problem with it.”
As Hansen contemplates the next chapter of his life, fans of Deadliest Catch are left with a mix of admiration and concern. Whether or not he retires soon, one thing is clear: Captain Sig Hansen’s legacy is already etched into the history of the sea—and into the hearts of millions who’ve followed his journey.