Pamela Anderson receives the Award of Courage at the amfAR Gala Venezia 2026
Renowned actress Pamela Anderson was the protagonist of an emotional moment during the recent amfAR Gala Venezia 2026, held at the iconic Hilton Molino Stucky, as part of the Venice Film Festival. The 59-year-old star was awarded the Courage Award in recognition of her tireless charitable work and her commitment to various altruistic causes.
During his speech on stage, Anderson delivered a profound and reflective address, where he shared details about one of the most difficult episodes of his personal life: the hepatitis C diagnosis he received in 2002, which marked a turning point in his career.
It was a death sentence. That’s what my doctor told me, that I probably had about 10 years left to live.
Pamela Anderson
The “Last Showgirl” actress revealed that she contracted the virus after sharing tattoo needles with her then-husband, Tommy Lee. As she recounted, this diagnosis not only impacted her health, but completely transformed the way she faces life and her responsibilities as a mother.
A struggle focused on the family
Anderson confessed that the medical news influenced much of her decision-making for years. Beyond the fear of her own passing, what truly caused her anguish was the well-being of her children, Brandon Thomas and Dylan Jagger, the fruit of her relationship with Lee.
The “Baywatch” actress highlighted that that moment of uncertainty “colored and corrupted” her personal choices, forcing her to redefine her priorities in the face of a potentially limited future. Today, looking back, the artist celebrates life with a renewed perspective, turning her experience into a message of resilience that resonated with all the attendees in Venice.
