logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Pamela Anderson Was Told She Would Not Survive After Getting Hepatitis C from Husband: 'It All Was Very Scary'

Bettina Dizon
Apr 10, 2022
04:30 P.M.

Pamela Anderson had a tumultuous relationship with her first husband, from whom she contracted a life-threatening disease that put a timeline on her life.

Advertisement

Before becoming an actress, Pamela Anderson was a commercial model featured on Playboy magazine's cover. Known for her roles in "Home Improvement" and "Baywatch," Anderson was recognized for her volumized blonde hair and voluptuous figure.

Career aside, Anderson was also known for hitting the front page of tabloids because of her personal endeavors and interesting marriages, which impacted her life in more ways than one. The "Stacked" star contracted a disease from her first husband, which she fought for decades despite doctors putting a timeline on her life.

(L) A portrait of Pamela Anderson, May 24, 1993. (R) Pamela Anderson during the 'Danse Avec Les Stars' photocall at TF1 TV studios on September 11, 2018 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images

(L) A portrait of Pamela Anderson, May 24, 1993. (R) Pamela Anderson during the 'Danse Avec Les Stars' photocall at TF1 TV studios on September 11, 2018 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Anderson was finally cured after 20 years, yet her ex-husband always denied allegations that her illness was passed from him.

ANDERSON'S EARLY YEARS AND CAREER

Born Pamela Denise Anderson on July 1, 1967, the actress became a commercial model before gracing the cover of Playboy magazine. In 1991, she landed her big break on the sitcom "Home Improvement" and was eventually cast in "Baywatch."

The show quickly became the highest-rated program globally, launching Anderson into stardom. She appeared in the film "Barb Wire" and later became the executive producer and star of the series "V.I.P."

Advertisement
A portrait of Pamela Anderson, circa 1990. | Source: Getty Images

A portrait of Pamela Anderson, circa 1990. | Source: Getty Images

Anderson's other on-screen credits include the series "Stripperella," "Stacked," and the mockumentary "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan."

Advertisement

A ROMANCE WITH LEE

In December 1994, following her fame from "Baywatch," Anderson met Tommy Lee, the man she would later call her husband. Their relationship quickly escalated, and six weeks later, they became husband and wife. She said at that time:

“It was really love at first sight. I only knew him four days before I married him.”

Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson during an annual party on December 24, 2005 in Malibu, California. | Source: Getty Images

Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson during an annual party on December 24, 2005 in Malibu, California. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

However, their relationship ended nearly as quickly as it began. In 1995, electrician Rand Gauthier stole a sex tape that the couple filmed during their escapade at Leak Mead. Although the footage did not spread as much as it would have in today's digital age, it reached thousands of viewers.

She compared the process to having the flu for a year and somewhat like undergoing chemotherapy where hair falls off, and she throws up.

Anderson and Lee immediately took action and filed a $10 million lawsuit to stop the tape from being published. However, the case was eventually dropped.

Pamela Anderson poses in a black bodysuit by the ocean. | Source: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson poses in a black bodysuit by the ocean. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

"I made not one dollar," Anderson said, as told by Us Weekly, and admitted to having never viewed the tape. "It was stolen property. We made a deal to stop all the shenanigans."

Tension grew between the couple until the musician was accused of spousal battery in 1998. Lee did not understand why his ex-wife pressed charges and assumed she was scared, thinking she was "doing the right thing for their kids." He said:

“She probably wanted an easy way out of a difficult situation. As much as I loved Pamela, she had a problem dealing with things.”

Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson during an annual party on December 24, 2005 in Malibu, California. | Source: Getty Images

Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson during an annual party on December 24, 2005 in Malibu, California. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

After three years and two kids, Brandon and Dylan, the couple went separate ways after their wedding. Although they tried to rekindle the flames in 2008, they officially parted in 2010. According to Anderson, Lee was the man she loved most. She said:

“There was Tommy, and there was nobody else. He was the love of my life. We had a wild and crazy beginnings that was too much for both of us [sic].”

ANDERSON CONTRACTS LEE'S DISEASE

Pamela Anderson during the amfAR Cannes Gala 2019 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 23, 2019 in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson during the amfAR Cannes Gala 2019 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 23, 2019 in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

In 2002, Anderson revealed the news that put her on the headlines of tabloids yet again. She contracted a severe liver disease called hepatitis C and received treatment at UCLA Medical Center. Then 34, she said:

“I contracted hepatitis C while sharing a tattoo needle with my ex-husband, Tommy Lee. Tommy has the disease and never disclosed it to me during our marriage.”

Meanwhile, Lee's publicist, Beth Katz, claimed that Anderson's accusations were due to the custody battle for their sons. "Her actions today are a clear attack on Tommy, and hopefully, she will realize that she is only doing more harm to her children and herself [...]," Katz said. She also denied that Lee had the disease.

Advertisement
Pamela Anderson during the Brigitte Bardot Foundation event on February 14, 2008 in Paris. The actress joined in a protest with PETA , which has organized protestsat Canadian Embassies worldwide, in condemning the hunt of seals in Canada. | Source: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson during the Brigitte Bardot Foundation event on February 14, 2008 in Paris. The actress joined in a protest with PETA , which has organized protestsat Canadian Embassies worldwide, in condemning the hunt of seals in Canada. | Source: Getty Images

Anderson struggled with the disease for several years, and, at one point, it drove her crazy. According to the actress, she always had a heavy feeling in her heart and dark thoughts in the back of her mind.

Advertisement

Anderson was told that she would not last very long during the onset of her disease. "Twenty years go, they told me I would die in ten years," she said, adding:

“Ten years into that, they told me I would be able to live with it and probably die of something else, but it was all very scary stuff.”

Pamela Anderson during the 5th Annual Producers Ball presented by Scotiabank in support of The 2015 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Ontario Museum on September 11, 2015 in Toronto, Canada. | Source: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson during the 5th Annual Producers Ball presented by Scotiabank in support of The 2015 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Ontario Museum on September 11, 2015 in Toronto, Canada. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

The actress had to take a year off from acting to undergo treatment involving Interferon and other medication.

She compared the process to having the flu for a year and somewhat like undergoing chemotherapy where hair falls off, and she throws up. "I want to do it for my kids because I don't want to die," she said.

FINALLY CURED OF HEPATITIS

After two decades, Anderson announced that she had finally been cured and could live her everyday life peacefully. Anderson completed a 12-week regimen with a medication called Sovaldi, costing about $100,000 before she was healed.

Advertisement
Pamela Anderson during the Gala of the Mon Cheri Barbara day in the old Bayerische Staatsbank. | Source: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson during the Gala of the Mon Cheri Barbara day in the old Bayerische Staatsbank. | Source: Getty Images

Admittedly, Anderson said, "I'm going to go crazy, especially with activism," during her recuperating years. She added:

Advertisement

“It has been 20 years, and I always felt this little dark cloud hanging over me.”

Anderson has been a vegan PETA advocate who shares environmental issues throughout the years. Particularly, she hopes people would realize that climate change is a pressing concern and do something about the current situation.

Pamela Anderson during the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2017/2018 on Intercontinental Paris Grand on March 4, 2017 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson during the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2017/2018 on Intercontinental Paris Grand on March 4, 2017 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

MAKING PEACE WITH HER PAST

Years after Anderson's separation and struggle with the disease, she and Lee learned to make peace with their past and co-parent their kids. She said:

“We're good friends. We're getting better at co-parenting our kids. He's such a supporter of mine, and I'm really happy we're on such great terms."

Pamela Anderson with her two children, Brandon and Dylan, whom she shares with her first husband. | Source: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson with her two children, Brandon and Dylan, whom she shares with her first husband. | Source: Getty Images

Lee had also been cured of hepatitis about a year before his ex-wife. His life with Anderson has since been turned into a Hulu miniseries, directed by Lake Bell, who admittedly felt protective of the actress' story.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Melissa Sue Anderson’s Kids Whom She Did Not Want to Raise the Way Michael Landon Raised His Daughter

February 17, 2022

Burt Reynolds Intentionally Omitted Adopted Son from Will after Calling Him His 'Greatest Achievement'

April 06, 2022

Kenny Rodgers Felt Responsible That 4 of His 5 Marriages Ended in Divorce: ‘I Take the Blame for It’

February 05, 2022

Harry Anderson's Daughter Who Had Hard Time with His Death Got Married & Found Happiness in Her Family

May 07, 2022

On Her First Day in New School Girl Enters Classroom and Meets Her Carbon Copy – Story of the Day

February 01, 2022

Inside Anthony Anderson's Weight Loss Journey — He Made Changes after Landing Role in 'Law & Order'

February 09, 2022

Burt Reynolds Dropped Postcards to Win Back Sally Field Who Did Not Talk to Him for the Last 30 Years

April 13, 2022

Inside Kenny Rogers’ Lavish Mansion Where He Spent Last Years Raising Twins With 28-Year-Younger Wife

May 07, 2022

After Son's Death, Woman Spots His Carbon Copy Sitting at the Cemetery — Story of the Day

March 16, 2022

Kenny Rogers Blamed Himself for His 4 Failed Marriages — One Ended in a $60 Million Divorce

May 09, 2022

Minnie Riperton Took Last Breath in Her Husband's Arms at 31 — Inside Their Interracial Marriage

April 26, 2022

Bruce Willis' 'Big Gang of Women' Stands by Him amid His Aphasia Diagnosis — His Blended Family

April 01, 2022

AJ Cook’s Children Played Her Kids in ‘Criminal Minds’ – Meet Her Lookalike Sons & Husband of 21 Years

January 31, 2022

Sharon Osbourne Stayed with Ozzy Despite 'a Lot' of His Infidelities — They Have Been Married for 39 Years Now

March 14, 2022