Pamela Anderson Reflects on Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment Journey

Pamela Anderson discussed her hepatitis C diagnosis from the late 1990s during the 2026 amfAR Gala Venezia in Venice, Italy. At that time, there was no cure for the virus, and her doctor informed her that she likely had around 10 years to live. Anderson, now 59, stated that the diagnosis may have influenced her decisions, particularly due to concerns for her children, Brandon Thomas, 30, and Dylan Jagger, 28, whom she shares with ex-husband Tommy Lee. She contracted hepatitis C after sharing a tattoo needle with Lee during their marriage from 1995 to 1998. Medications to cure hepatitis C were approved in 2011, and Anderson was declared free of the disease by 2015. She shared that undergoing treatment required significant effort and resources. Despite being cured, Anderson expressed that feelings of shame and guilt lingered from her experience. She emphasized her resilience, stating, 'I’m a victor' and rejecting the notion of being a victim. Anderson received the Award of Courage at the event, which focuses on ending AIDS. She first revealed her diagnosis in 2002 and noted in 2015 that she did not experience symptoms and was living normally.