Pamela Anderson shares hepatitis C diagnosis memories at amfAR Gala in Venice

Decades after receiving a devastating diagnosis which carried a “death sentence”, Pamela Anderson says she still hasn’t “fully recovered”.

The 59-year-old was diagnosed with hepatitis C in the late 90s, at which time 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,” she said, as reported by Variety.

“I’m sure that coloured and corrupted my decisions.

“It was not fear of death, but fear of what might happen to my young children.

“It turned my life inside out.”

Anderson has two children — Brandon, 30, and Dylan, 28 — who she shares with ex-husband Tommy Lee.

She shared her memories during a speech at the amfAR Gala in Venice, supporting the Foundation for AIDS Research.

At the gala, which was hosted by Taika Waititi, the Baywatch star was honoured with amfAR’s Award of Courage.

While the organisation is dedicated to ending HIV/AIDS, it has contributed to hepatitis C research and advocacy as well.

A cure was discovered in 2011 and by 2015, Anderson said she was “hep C free”, but “it took everything (she) had in (her) bank” to pay for the treatment.

In its early stages, the cure was not covered by health insurance.

The actress said she had not “fully recovered” from receiving the diagnosis, but said she may have “finally come to terms” with it.

“But my experience of shame and guilt was also an unconscious journey,” Anderson said.

“It stays with me; it haunts me.

“And just like the sexual abuse that I endured as a child, it felt like it was carved into my forehead: Damaged goods.

“And I presented myself as such.”

She said she used the experience as motivation to reignite her acting career.

Since returning to the big screen, she has been nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in The Last Showgirl in 2024, and starred in The Naked Gun.

“My truth has come through my work, finding ways to express myself through the arts,” she said.

“It gave me the ammunition I needed, a fertile life to use and play in.

“I’m not a victim, I’m a victor. I am strong and capable, more now than I could ever dream of … I’m not the damsel in distress, no matter how easy that role is to play.”