Exclusive: Sig Hansen Reveals Health Status for Himself and June — What Challenges Are They Facing?
Deadliest Catch’s Sig Hansen Gives Candid Health Update for Himself and Wife June
For decades, Captain Sig Hansen has been a familiar face to fans of Deadliest Catch — braving the treacherous Bering Sea to haul in Alaskan king crab while steering his crew and boat through relentless storms. But off-camera, the famed fisherman has weathered his own share of personal battles — including multiple health scares for both himself and his wife, June.
Now, as Season 21 of the hit Discovery Channel series sets sail, the 59-year-old captain is sharing an uplifting update: both he and June are doing well and are more committed than ever to taking care of themselves.
Cheating Death — Twice
Longtime viewers will remember the dramatic moments when Sig’s health took a frightening turn. In March 2016, cameras rolled as he suffered a heart attack at sea — an incident that underscored the real-life dangers of the fishing industry. Then, in October 2018, Sig endured a second heart attack, this time caused by a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic.
As if that weren’t enough, the following year brought another devastating blow: reports emerged that June Hansen had been diagnosed with cancer. The couple, who have been married for decades, suddenly found themselves navigating an entirely different kind of storm.
But in a new interview with Parade, Sig had reassuring news for fans. “Doctors tell me my heart’s 20 percent stronger. That’s good to hear,” he said, speaking just days after the Aug. 1 premiere of Deadliest Catch’s latest season.
Healthy Habits — With a Few Exceptions
Since his health scares, Sig has tried to adopt a more active lifestyle. “We eat healthy. My wife and I go for walks and do those kinds of things. [We are] very active, or try to be,” he explained. “I just look at it like, there’s only so much you can do. I don’t dwell on it too much because I feel like there are so many other things that I do to stay active. I’m always busy, and for me, that’s healthy.”
One vice, however, has been harder to quit. “As far as smoking, I’ve quit and then [gone] back to it and on and off. Like an idiot, is the only word I can use. I despise cigarettes, but [they are] very addicting,” he admitted.
Sig hopes to lead by example for fellow Deadliest Catch captain Johnathan Hillstrand, who also smokes. “I notice that he’s suffering a little from it and he knows it as well,” Sig said. “I think [Johnathan] needs to know that he’s gotta put them down at some point, because you can tell it was affecting him and it bothered me. It really did. It’s worrisome.”
June’s Resilience
As for his wife, Sig says June is thriving. “She’s solvent. She did have potential cancer, but we got through that. So she’s very cautious of her health and she’s working out every day,” he shared.
The couple’s home even includes a swimming pool, which June takes full advantage of — weather permitting. “We have a swimming pool at home. So when we’re home, she’s swimming. But it is Seattle, so [swimming] when it’s not raining. I try to keep up with her. She’d beat me every time!”
June’s resilience comes as no surprise to Sig, who says her strength is part of what makes them such a good match. “She comes from a fishing family herself, generations of fishermen, and so do I. I believe we’re a great fit. She’s tougher than she looks, and she is very supportive.”
Making Up for Lost Time
Still, the veteran captain admits he feels a deep sense of gratitude — and debt — toward his wife. “At the end of the day, I want to spend more time with her. I feel like she’s given so much to me,” he said. “When you go to sea, when I was younger, we were gone for oh, my God, sometimes six months at a stretch, sometimes eight to ten months out of a year. And so it’s time to pay back. Maybe that’s just old age, I don’t know. But I feel like I owe her so much and I don’t know how to repay her.”
He added with a laugh, “I should be on a beach in Hawaii with my wife right now! We’ll get to it.”
A Life at Sea — and on Land
Though still fully committed to fishing, Sig is also finding new ways to stay active on land. Speaking to Parade from Norway, he revealed that his family owns homes there as well as a fledgling events center on a Norwegian island. The venue will host concerts, weddings, and other gatherings — a far cry from the icy, unpredictable waters of the Bering Sea.
“That’s how I stay healthy — try different things,” Sig explained. “This business is on land, not on the ocean. For me, it’s about the chase, the challenge. That’s what drives me.”
Facing the Risks — and the Future
Even with his improved health, Sig acknowledges the dangers that come with every trip to sea. “The only thing that irritates me or scares me is your mortality. And that if something happens out there, God forbid, it’s not like you can drive to a hospital,” he said. “It festers at the back of your mind and becomes more of a reality when you get older. That bothers me. I do get more fearful going to sea every time, when you stack on those crab pots that weigh 800 or 900 pounds apiece, that’s where your boat is very sensitive to the weather. It scares me.”
Still, he’s not ready to hang up his captain’s hat just yet. “We got a few more years to go, I would think,” he assured fans.
For now, Sig Hansen is proof that even after storms — both at sea and in life — calmer waters are possible. With his health improving, his wife by his side, and new ventures on the horizon, the legendary captain shows no signs of drifting away from the wheel.
