Pamela Anderson shares rare insight into hepatitis C battle at amfAR Venezia: 'It haunts me'
VENICE, ITALY: Pamela Anderson has made a rare revelation about her health and how she fought hepatitis C as she delivered a heartfelt speech at the amfAR Venezia Gala 2026.
The 59-year-old actress publicly revealed in 2002 that she had been diagnosed with the disease.
Pamela Anderson says her diagnosis came as 'a death sentence' for her
Pamela Anderson makes a heartfelt speech about overcoming Hepatitis C at #amfARVenezia:
— Variety (@Variety) September 6, 2026
“I don’t think I’ve ever fully recovered from that news. I’ve assimilated, I’ve finally come to terms maybe. And the truth has come through my work.” pic.twitter.com/zdutTPAiRM
Now, as she received the Award of Courage, Anderson shared during the acceptance speech, “Back in the late 90s, when I was diagnosed with hepatitis C, there was no cure. 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 colored and corrupted my decisions,” the ‘Baywatch’ star said as she continued, “It was not fear of death, but fear of what might happen to my young children. It turned my life inside out.”
Pamela Anderson had to pay an immense amount for hepatitis C cure
Anderson had to live with the disease for over a decade but eventually she learned that doctors had found its cure.
She explained, “Ten 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,” the model added.
Pamela Anderson shared in 2015 that her hepatitis C was cured
Anderson’s speech came nearly ten years after she announced on social media that she’s cured of hepatitis C.
“I am CURED. I just found out #nomorehepc #thankyou #blessing #family #prayer #live I pray anyone living with Hep C can qualify or afford treatment. It will be more available soon. I know treatment is hard to get still...#dontlosehope #itworkedforme #thereisacure #love #happy #americanliverfoundation #celebration #Idontknowwhattodo #iwanttohelp #cannes #iloveboats #onthesea #free,” she reportedly posted at the time.
Months before the announcement, in August 2015, the ‘Barb Wire’ actress had told PEOPLE that she lost confidence after her diagnosis.
“I’m very fortunate that I’ve had hep C for about 16 years. Sixteen years ago that was [presented to me] as a death sentence. I think it really worked on my self-esteem. Even though I may have looked confident on the outside, I think it really was a dark cloud that lingered over me,” she added.
