How Olenna Actually Killed Joffrey in ‘Game of Thrones’

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Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) from Game of Thrones is widely considered one of the most unlikeable characters in television history. Though born into royalty as the son of King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) and Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), he dismissed rumors that his true father was actually his uncle, Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and that he wasn’t the legitimate heir to the throne. But beyond his questionable birth, Joffrey was simply spoiled, mean-spirited, and arrogant, which made his shocking death a satisfying moment for many viewers.

Some viewers might have missed the subtle clues during the death scene and didn’t realize Olenna Tyrell, not Tyrion Lannister, was the true culprit. Even those who knew Olenna was responsible might not understand how she pulled it off. Her plan involved multiple people – one unknowingly and another eagerly – to achieve its success.

What Really Happened to Joffrey in Game of Thrones


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Following his marriage to Margaery (Natalie Dormer), Joffrey is entertained by a performance of dwarfs at their wedding reception. True to his cruel nature, Joffrey taunts his uncle Tyrion, suggesting Tyrion should dress up and join the performers. Tyrion responds with a veiled insult, implying Joffrey himself would be better suited on stage – a pointed reference to Joffrey’s lack of courage during the Battle of the Blackwater.

Joffrey, never one to shy away from a dramatic display, deliberately spills wine on Tyrion, then throws his goblet and demands Tyrion retrieve it and bring him another drink. While drinking from the new glass, Joffrey suddenly begins to choke, struggling for air as blood streams from his eyes and nose, and his face turns purple. He quickly dies – a shocking moment in Game of Thrones – and with his final breath, points a blaming finger at a confused Tyrion, who is examining the wine glass.

So how did Joffrey die? Earlier, Sansa received a beautiful amethyst necklace as a gift from Olenna, a remarkably strong and cunning character. Unbeknownst to Sansa, one of the amethysts had been swapped for a crystal containing a deadly poison called the Strangler. Olenna had Littlefinger (Petyr Baelish) sneak it into the necklace and ensure Sansa was seated near Joffrey. During the feast, Olenna subtly adjusted the necklace around Sansa’s neck, using the opportunity to secretly remove the poisoned amethyst. She then waited for the right moment and dropped it into Joffrey’s wine, where it dissolved before he drank it.

After the death, everyone suspected Tyrion. However, it wasn’t until Season 7, just before her own death, that Olenna revealed she was the true killer. She confessed to Jaime, Joffrey’s father, that she’d hidden poison in Sansa’s necklace. She even scolded him, pointing out how terrible it must have been to watch his son die, admitting the scene was more shocking than she’d anticipated, as she’d never witnessed the poison’s effect before. Olenna had carefully planned everything and kept it a secret until she chose to reveal the truth.

Why Did Olenna Conspire to Kill Joffrey?


Image via HBO

Olenna wanted Joffrey gone for clear reasons. He was a cruel tyrant, and Sansa had told her terrible stories about him. Olenna feared for her granddaughter, Margaery, and wanted to shield her from Joffrey’s abuse. Beyond that, she aimed to maintain her family’s power and influence.

Now that Joffrey was gone, Margaery set her sights on Tommen, his gentler and more easily controlled brother. This would allow her to remain queen without dealing with Joffrey’s cruelty. Olenna recognized Tommen was a much better choice, and quickly encouraged Margaery to pursue him after Joffrey died. Olenna was even willing to take the risk of getting rid of Joffrey to achieve this, with the added benefit of helping Sansa escape the Lannisters by falsely accusing Tyrion of the murder.

Olenna confessed to killing Joffrey not because she felt guilty, but to demonstrate the Tyrells’ power and warn the Lannisters against underestimating them. Even though Cersei had harmed her family, Olenna wanted the Tyrells to have the final word. She relished the opportunity to brag about it, just to cause Cersei pain. As she famously tells Jaime, she wants Cersei to know she was responsible.

What Did Petyr Get Out of the Deal?


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Littlefinger thrived on creating chaos and manipulating events to increase his own power. Since he had no legitimate claim to the Iron Throne, he aimed to become indispensable to those who did, proving his worth through service rather than bloodline. By assisting Olenna, he hoped to demonstrate his resourcefulness and gain influence as a trusted advisor, effectively elevating his own position alongside hers.

Joffrey wasn’t popular, so most people were secretly relieved when he died. His death created an opportunity for others who wanted to rule, and Petyr Baelish skillfully used the resulting chaos to his advantage. He’d been plotting against Tyrion since Tyrion outmaneuvered him previously, and framing Tyrion for Joffrey’s murder was the perfect outcome. Petyr deliberately planned the wedding reception entertainment – hiring dwarf performers – specifically to embarrass and humiliate Tyrion.

Considering Joffrey’s personality, Petyr probably anticipated he couldn’t resist insulting his uncle if given the chance. He also understood Tyrion well enough to predict that Tyrion wouldn’t stay silent, and a fight would likely erupt. This conflict would create the diversion Olenna needed to poison the wine.

It’s also important to remember that Sansa was supposed to marry Tyrion, and Petyr was in love with her. Eliminating both Joffrey and Tyrion would have cleared the way for Petyr and made him appear as a savior. This gave him another strong reason to help orchestrate one of the show’s most famous scenes, which he watched unfold with a smug grin, enjoying how the blame fell everywhere except on him. Petyr was truly awful, but undeniably clever—one of the smartest characters in Game of Thrones. By working with Olenna, another powerful and underappreciated character, they successfully killed the king.

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2025-11-24 19:19