‘I’m not a victim’: Pamela Anderson delivers emotional health confession at Venice

The actor received amfAR’s Award of Courage after reflecting on years of fear, shame and recovery

Pamela Anderson has opened up about one of the most difficult periods of her life during an emotional speech at the Venice Film Festival, reflecting on her hepatitis C diagnosis and the devastating effect it had on her family, career and sense of self.

The actor spoke at the amfAR Gala Venezia on September 6, where she received the organisation’s Award of Courage for her advocacy and efforts surrounding hepatitis C awareness. amfAR confirmed Anderson as one of the evening’s honourees ahead of the event, which was held at the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

During her acceptance speech, Anderson recalled being diagnosed with hepatitis C and described the prognosis she received from her doctor at the time as a "death sentence". She said she had been told that she probably had around 10 years to live, a warning that profoundly affected the way she viewed her future.

Anderson had publicly discussed her hepatitis C diagnosis in 2002. She has said that she contracted the virus after sharing a tattoo needle with her then husband Tommy Lee. The diagnosis came during a period when treatment options were considerably different from those available today, and Anderson has previously spoken about the fear surrounding the illness.

The actor explained that her biggest concern was not necessarily her own death but what might happen to her two young sons, Brandon and Dylan. She said the diagnosis turned her life inside out and influenced decisions she made for years afterwards.

Anderson eventually received successful treatment and announced in 2015 that she was cured of hepatitis C. At the time, she publicly celebrated the result while also urging people living with the virus to seek treatment and highlighting the difficulties many patients faced in accessing expensive medication.

However, Anderson explained in Venice that being medically cured did not mean the emotional impact disappeared. She spoke about carrying feelings of shame and guilt and described the experience as something that continued to haunt her. She also connected those feelings to abuse she experienced as a child, saying that both experiences affected the way she saw herself.

The actor also recalled the financial burden of obtaining treatment. Anderson said the medication cost everything she had in her bank because the treatment was not yet covered by insurance in the way she needed. Her comments highlighted how access to hepatitis C treatment was still a significant issue when she underwent therapy.

Her speech ultimately moved away from the idea of being defined by illness. Anderson rejected the notion that her experience made her a victim, declaring, "I’m not a victim, I’m a victor." She described herself as strong and capable and said she had reached a point where she could finally come to terms with what happened.

The Venice appearance comes during an important period in Anderson’s acting career. Her performance in The Last Showgirl earned widespread critical attention and a Golden Globe nomination, while she also appeared alongside Liam Neeson in The Naked Gun. Her recent film work has continued with Rosebush Pruning.

Anderson is also in Venice for Place to Be, directed by Kornél Mundruczó and starring Ellen Burstyn, Taika Waititi, Murray Bartlett and David Wenham alongside Anderson. The film is officially listed in the Venice Open Out of Competition programme and is scheduled to screen on September 9.