Pamela Anderson reveals the diagnosis that once cost her everything she had

Pamela Anderson is addressing one of the toughest periods of her life. At an appearance at amfAR Venice, Anderson opened up about a terrifying diagnosis she received in the ’90s, with her doctor giving her 10 years to live.

“Back in the late ’90s, when I was diagnosed with hepatitis C, there was no cure,” Anderson said. “I’m sure that colored 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 was awarded the amfAR Award of Courage and opened up about how her life changed once a cure for her disease was developed.

“10 blurry years later, there was a cure. I was lucky,” she said. “I was offered it in its early stages, and it took everything I had in my bank to pay for it. It wasn’t covered by insurance yet, and I felt tremendous guilt that others weren’t granted the same access.”

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“I’m grateful to say now that I am hep C free,” Anderson continued. “But my experience of shame and guilt was also still an unconscious journey. It stays with me. It haunts me.”

Since her recovery, Anderson has experienced a revival in her career, taking on daring and acclaimed roles in films like “The Last Showgirl,” which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, and performances in “The Naked Gun,” “Rosebush Pruning” and “Place to Be.” The last film will premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday. 

 “I’m not a victim, I’m a victor. I am strong and capable, more now than I could ever dream of,” Anderson concluded.

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Anderson’s gardening skills

Apart from her thriving film career, Anderson is also an accomplished gardener. On her social media, she frequently shares photos and videos of herself relaxing in her beautiful garden in her home on Vancouver Island, Canada. 

“Live romantically wherever you are…” she captioned a video, showing her frolicking in her garden while wearing a white dress with a matching headband. 

Her followers dropped encouraging comments. “We love you Pamela! What a gorgeous garden,” wrote one of her followers.

Another commented, “Beautiful garden, beautiful woman… What a peaceful natural life you have created for yourself.”