Pamela Anderson bravely opens up about 'death sentence' hepatitis C diagnosis in heartfelt statement to fans
Pamela Anderson has bravely opened up about what it was like receiving what she called a 'death sentence' diagnosis in a heartfelt statement to fans.
The 59-year-old The Last Showgirl actress received the Award of Courage at the amfAR Venezia Gala 2026 on Sunday (6 September), where she shared with the audience a little more about her hepatitis C diagnosis back in the late 1990s.
The NHS explains that hepatitis C is a virus spread through contact with infected blood. Many people have no symptoms, but if it's not treated, it can cause serious damage to the liver. Treatment cures the infection for most people.
"Back in the late 90s when I was diagnosed with hepatitis C, there was no cure," she shared.
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"It was a death sentence. That’s what my doctor told me, that I probably had around 10 years to live. I’m sure that coloured and corrupted my decisions
"It was not fear of death, but fear of what might happen to my young children. It turned my life inside out."
The Baywatch star continued: "10 blurry years later, there was a cure. I was lucky; I was offered it in its early stages, and it took everything I had in my bank to pay for it [because] it wasn’t covered by insurance yet, and I felt tremendous guilt that others weren’t granted the same access.
"I am grateful to say now that I am hep C free but my experience of shame and guilt was also an unconscious journey. It stays with me. It haunts me."
Anderson explained that she used her platform to raise awareness and encourage others to get tested over the years, adding: "My words did not match my feelings; I was angry and scared. I went into sabotage mode."
Looking back, she candidly shared she felt as though the words 'damaged goods' were 'carved' into her forehead.
She added that she didn’t think she’d ever really 'recovered' from the shock diagnosis but said that her 'truth comes through [her] work'.
Back in 2015, Anderson announced that she had made a full recovery following the diagnosis, writing on Instagram, as per the Los Angeles Times: "I am CURED!!! - I just found out #nomorehepc #thankyou #blessing #family #prayer #live."
Speaking to ABC News at the time, she said: "They said I would die in 10 years. When someone tells you something like that, you kind of act differently subconsciously."
The star forked out over $100,000 on the drug treatment through her health insurance, adding: "Twelve weeks and gone, yes. I feel like I got back 20 years of my life.”
Topics: Pamela Anderson, Celebrity, Health
Rhiannon Ingle