Pamela Anderson was given 10 years to live after hepatitis C diagnosis
Page Six • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Pamela Anderson revealed that her hepatitis C diagnosis in the late 1990s felt like a "death sentence," with doctors estimating she had about 10 years to live, which profoundly impacted her life and decisions.
- She contracted hepatitis C through sharing a tattoo needle with her then-husband Tommy Lee, and although medications to cure the disease became available in 2011, it took until 2015 for her to be free of it.
- Anderson described the emotional toll of the illness, including feelings of shame and guilt that lingered even after her recovery, comparing it to the trauma of childhood sexual abuse.
- Despite these challenges, she rejects the victim label, identifying herself as a "victor" who is stronger and more capable than ever.
- At the 2026 amfAR Gala Venezia, Anderson was honored with the Award of Courage for her resilience and advocacy, with the event supporting medical research to end AIDS.
