Pamela Anderson was told she had ten years to live after hepatitis diagnosis

Pamela Anderson recently received the Award of Courage at an amfAR gala in Venice for her advocacy work regarding HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis. During her acceptance speech, the 59-year-old actress revealed that she was once diagnosed with hepatitis C, a condition her doctor described as a death sentence with only a ten-year life expectancy. She expressed that her primary fear at the time was the well-being of her young children, rather than her own mortality. Anderson eventually obtained access to a treatment for the virus, though she had to pay for it entirely out of pocket at the time.

The actress, who contracted the infection after sharing a tattoo needle with her ex-husband, spoke openly about the shame she initially felt surrounding her diagnosis. Now free of the virus, Anderson is dedicated to ending the stigma associated with the illness. She also reflected on the psychological toll the diagnosis took, noting that she still carries the weight of that difficult period despite her recovery. Anderson has continued to balance her health advocacy with a successful return to acting in projects such as The Last Show Girl.