- Pamela Anderson has described herself as a “victor” while reflecting on her late 1990s hepatitis C diagnosis, which doctors initially warned gave her only 10 years to live.
- Accepting the Award of Courage at amfAR's annual Venezia gala, the actor admitted the diagnosis turned her life inside out, largely due to fear over what would happen to her young sons.
- Anderson recalled paying out of pocket for an early antiviral treatment that cured her in 2015, noting she felt immense guilt that others lacked financial access to the cure.
- She shared how she channelled her trauma and guilt into her creative work, leading to recent acclaimed roles in films such as The Last Showgirl .
- Concluding her speech, Anderson emphasised that she now feels strong and capable, rejecting the identity of a victim or a damsel in distress.
IN FULL
Pamela Anderson says hepatitis C diagnosis was ‘death sentence’ in emotional Venice speech
