Pamela Anderson discusses her 2002 hepatitis C diagnosis and recovery

During the amfAR Gala Venezia 2026 on September 6, held at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, 59-year-old actress Pamela Anderson was honored with the Award of Courage. In an emotional address, she recounted the profound impact of her 2002 hepatitis C diagnosis, which she previously contracted through shared tattoo needles with her then-husband, Tommy Lee. Anderson revealed that her doctor at the time provided a grim prognosis, estimating she had only ten years to live.

Reflecting on the psychological and financial burden of the illness, Anderson stated that the diagnosis felt like a death sentence. Her primary concern during that period was not her own mortality, but the future of her young sons, Brandon Thomas and Dylan Jagger. She described feeling like a "damaged good" due to the social stigma surrounding the condition.

Anderson eventually overcame the virus after undergoing a treatment in 2015 that she described as both psychologically difficult and financially exhausting, costing her significant personal savings. Concluding her speech, she emphasized her resilience, declaring herself a survivor rather than a victim. She now advocates for awareness regarding the illness and the importance of medical intervention.