American-Canadian actress Pamela Anderson has opened up about her hepatitis C diagnosis in the late 1990s, revealing that doctors initially gave her about 10 years to live. JoinActing Classes
The 59-year-old Baywatch star made the revelation while speaking at the 2026 amfAR Gala Venezia in Venice, Italy.
“It was a d£ath s£nt£nce,” Anderson said, recalling what her doctor told her after the diagnosis.
She said the news changed her life and left her particularly worried about what would happen to her two young children, Brandon Thomas and Dylan Jagger, whom she shares with ex-husband Tommy Lee.
Anderson previously revealed that she contracted hepatitis C after she and Lee shared a tattoo needle while they were married.
She underwent treatment after effective medications became available and was declared free of the disease in 2015.
Reflecting on the experience, Anderson said the shame and guilt surrounding her diagnosis stayed with her for years.
However, she said she refuses to see herself as a victim.
“I’m a victor,” she said. “I am strong and capable, more now than I could ever dream of.”
Anderson was honoured with the Award of Courage at the amfAR event, which raises funds for medical research and is dedicated to ending AIDS.