Pamela Anderson Still Healthy Post–Hepatitis C Treatment

Pamela Anderson is a Canadian woman who was first discovered at a sporting event. She went on to become a cast member of the 1990s sitcom Home Improvement before becoming internationally known for her fourteen appearances in Playboy Magazine. Anderson became a well-known actress when she joined the cast of Baywatch, one of the most watched television shows in the world. Pamela Anderson married rock star and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee.

What is her hepatitis C story?

Before Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee wed, they both got tested for any sexually transmitted illnesses. She tested negative, he tested positive for hepatitis C, but he never told her. Shortly after their wedding, he paid a tattoo artist to come to their hotel to tattoo Lee. Anderson loved the tattoo so much that she wanted one as well. The artist only had one needle, but Anderson agreed to use the shared needle as she was married to Lee and knew they had just been tested for illnesses. She believed they had both tested negative. She believes this is when she became infected with the hepatitis C virus.

At the time of her diagnosis, she was told there was no cure. She was a young mother who was told that she may not live to see them grow up, she says she was told that her life expectancy was ten years or fewer. At that time, her then ex-husband Tommy Lee also denied having hepatitis C. Anderson’s history as a Playboy Playmate and her involvement in the infamous sex tape of her honeymoon led many to assume she had been promiscuous. It also led to a wide belief that hepatitis C was a sexually transmitted infection.

In order to try to remain as healthy as possible and live as long as possible, Anderson became a vegan and began to exercise frequently. She changed her lifestyle to reflect a consciousness regarding health and wellness and mostly removed herself from the public eye and from the entertainment industry. More than twenty years after her diagnosis, Anderson proclaimed herself cured of hepatitis C via social media.   In further posts and interviews, she explained that Tommy Lee had since admitted to having the virus as well and to lying to her at the time of their pre-nuptial testing. He completed the 12 week medication treatment first and became cured of hepatitis C and then he encouraged her to begin the medical protocol as well, resulting in her own cure.

How is her health post-treatment?

It has been more than one year since Pamela Anderson announced that she was cured of hepatitis C. At present time, Anderson remains open about her experience with the virus and says that she remains healthy and active in advocating for hepatitis C medication for all in need.

What does this mean For me?

Many with hepatitis C are still unaware of their status. If you have not been tested for hepatitis C but may have been exposed to blood through your employment, through being pierced or tattooed in an unlicensed facility, or through the use of IV drugs, you may want to get tested. In addition, it is important for all people to know about how to protect themselves from exposure to the virus, including using gloves and masks when interacting with blood and only using needles that are coming straight from a sterile package. If you have had a blood transfusion or received blood products or an organ donation before 1992, you may also have been exposed to the virus. If you have had these medical experiences since 1992, however, you should not worry about this because since 1992, all blood donations and organ donations have been tested for hepatitis C and only negative resulting blood and organs have been used in patient care.

If you have hepatitis C and are worried about what this means for your life and your future, Anderson’s message is one of hope and of solidarity. She regularly speaks in interviews and on her social media platforms about her own experience and her feelings throughout her diagnosis and treatment process in hopes of inspiring and encouraging those who are struggling with the same feelings and concerns.^1-5