Pamela Anderson Discusses Hepatitis C Recovery at amfAR Gala
At the amfAR Gala in Venice, Pamela Anderson spoke about her 2015 cure from hepatitis C and highlighted the disease’s global treatment challenges.
Actress Pamela Anderson used her appearance at the amfAR Gala during the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 6 to recount her experience with hepatitis C. She said she was diagnosed with the bloodborne virus in the late 1990s and was told she had only ten years to live. Anderson added that the diagnosis affected her personal decisions and caused significant anxiety about her children’s future.
"Back in the late '90s, when I was diagnosed with hepatitis C, there was no cure," Anderson said.
She noted that she underwent a year-long antiviral treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was declared hepatitis-free in 2015. In a prior interview, Anderson described the treatment as comparable to a year of having the flu.
"I'm grateful to say now that I am hep C free," she told the audience.
Health officials note that hepatitis C, which causes liver inflammation, is now highly curable with modern antiviral drugs, though access to therapy remains limited worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates about 47 million people live with chronic hepatitis C, and roughly 239 000 deaths were recorded in 2024, primarily from liver complications.
Anderson’s remarks also touched on how she believes she contracted the virus, citing a shared tattoo needle with her former husband, drummer Tommy Lee, a claim Lee has denied.
Medical experts explain that hepatitis C spreads through contact with infected blood, including unsafe tattooing, drug use, and certain medical procedures. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, making early diagnosis and treatment essential.
The actress, known for her role on "Baywatch" and other film work, highlighted the personal impact of the disease while emphasizing the importance of broader treatment access.