Pamela Anderson was given just 10 years to live after being diagnosed with Hepatitis C

Pamela Anderson thankfully outlived her heartbroken prognosis. Back in 2001, a routine appointment with the doctor turned into a potential death sentence for former Playboy bunny Pamela Anderson.

The Canadian-American model was dealt the devastating blow of a Hepatitis C diagnosis, and was informed that she’d unlikely live any longer than 10 years.

Heartbroken, Anderson went public with her condition, and speaking on CNN at the time, she alleged that she’d contracted the disease from her ex-husband Tommy Lee – to whom she was previously married to for three years between 1995 and 1998 – by sharing a needle (though the rock star denied these allegations).

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects an individual’s liver, and can be deadly if not immediately treated.

Usually passed from person to person via blood, sharing needles is the most common form of transmission. In some rarer cases, Hep C can be caught through having sex.

The tragic reality is, however, that there are often no initial symptoms of the disease, which can make it difficult for this initial treatment to be received. When symptoms do emerge, they usually present themselves in the form of muscular aches, a fever, general fatigue, and/or intense stomach pains.

The mother-of-two received her diagnosis in 2001 (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Anderson’s recovery from the virus

Thankfully, the years that followed saw the iconic blonde bombshell overcome her condition, and in 2015, she revealed she’d been cured by a 12-week Sovaldi drug regimen.

This year also marks almost two and a half decades since her original diagnosis, emphasising how far the star has come.

She recently revealed in an interview with ABC News: “They said I would die in 10 years. When someone tells you something like that you kind of act differently subconsciously.”

“Twelve weeks and gone, yes,” Anderson added in the press conversation. “I feel like I got back 20 years back of my life.”

The beauty icon went on to admit she’d dropped a staggering $100,000 on the life-saving drug – having used her life insurance.

The colossal cost of the treatment is not lost on the star, however – who also told People back in August that a ‘dark cloud lingered over’ her throughout the 10 years she expected to pass away.

Anderson thankfully made a full recovery (Raul Terrel/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Being able to afford treatment

Taking to Instagram recently in a since-removed, Anderson made a pointed remark about the expense paid to save her life.

“I pray anyone living with Hep C can qualify or afford treatment,” she wrote, adding the hashtags #dontlosehope #itworkedforme #thereisacure #love #happy #americanliverfoundation #celebration #Idontknowwhattodo #iwanttohelp #cannes #iloveboats #onthesea #free.

“It will be more available soon. I know treatment is hard to get still…”.