Pamela Anderson recounts costly hepatitis C treatment at amfAR gala
The actress said she spent her life savings on a cure for hepatitis C and was honored with amfAR's Award of Courage.
Pamela Anderson told attendees at the amfAR Gala in Venice on Sept. 6 that she spent her entire savings to obtain a cure for hepatitis C, a disease she was diagnosed with in the late 1990s when no effective therapy existed. She recalled that her doctor warned her she had about ten years to live, a prognosis that shaped her decisions and caused anxiety about her young children.
Anderson said the direct-acting antiviral drugs that finally cleared the infection in 2015 were not covered by insurance at the time, leaving her to bear the full cost. She expressed guilt that others could not access the treatment, noting that the expense “took everything I had in my bank.”
She first disclosed her diagnosis in 2002, attributing it to sharing a tattoo needle with former husband Tommy Lee, who later denied having the disease. During her speech, Anderson described the lingering shame and guilt she felt, comparing it to past trauma, but emphasized that she now views herself as a “victor” rather than a victim.
The actress received amfAR’s Award of Courage, with CEO Kyle Clifford praising her for using her platform to raise awareness for various causes. Anderson, best known for her role on “Baywatch,” has continued acting in recent film projects.