While accepting an award at the amfAR Gala in Venice on September 6, Pamela Anderson reflected on her long-term struggle with hepatitis C. The actress, known for her role in “The Last Showgirl,” recalled that when she was first diagnosed in the late 1990s, her doctor provided a grim prognosis, suggesting she had only about a decade to live. She noted that the lack of a cure at the time deeply affected her, causing her to fear for her young children and altering her outlook on life.
Anderson, who rose to fame on “Baywatch,” publicly disclosed her diagnosis in 2002. She attributed the infection to sharing a needle with her former husband, rock drummer Tommy Lee, an allegation Lee has denied. Medical experts, including Dr. William Carey of the Cleveland Clinic, note that hepatitis C is a liver-affecting viral infection typically spread through blood-to-blood contact, with needle sharing being a primary transmission route.
Reflecting on her recovery, Anderson described the financial burden of accessing early treatment. She explained that because the medication was not yet covered by insurance, she spent “everything I had in my bank” to secure it. The treatment process was grueling, involving a year of interferon injections that she likened to chemotherapy, noting side effects like hair loss. She officially announced she was free of the virus in 2015.
Despite her recovery, Anderson admitted that the emotional weight of the experience remains. She spoke about the lingering feelings of shame and the internal struggle she faced, comparing the trauma to the sexual abuse she endured as a child. She described feeling like “damaged goods” and noted that she struggled to reconcile her public persona with her internal fears, stating that she does not believe she has fully recovered from the initial news of her diagnosis.
Hepatitis C affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, often remaining asymptomatic for 10 to 20 years before causing severe liver complications. During her speech, Anderson emphasized her commitment to reducing the stigma surrounding the virus, encouraging widespread testing, and collaborating with advocacy organizations. She credited her career in the arts as a vital outlet for healing and self-expression.
Since her recovery, Anderson has experienced a professional resurgence. She starred in the 2025 reboot of “The Naked Gun” alongside Liam Neeson and earned critical acclaim for her role in “The Last Showgirl,” garnering nominations for both SAG and Golden Globe awards. Her recent work also includes the dark comedy “Rosebush Pruning,” featuring Callum Turner, Riley Keough, and Elle Fanning. The report also notes that according to Dr, sharing needles or syringes is the most common cause of new infections. The report also notes that 10 blurry years later, there was a cure. The report also notes that and I felt tremendous guilt that others weren’t granted the same access, it wasn’t covered by insurance yet. The report also notes that i’m sure that colored and corrupted my decisions. The report also notes that it was not fear of death but fear of what might happen to my young children. The report also notes that hepatitis C, a viral infection that primarily affects the liver, can exist quietly in the body and is easy to overlook. The report also notes that and it took everything I had in my bank to pay for it, i was offered it in its early stages.