Pamela Anderson has been a pop culture icon for decades, rising to fame as a Baywatch star and Playboy model. Now 57 years old, Anderson has proven she is much more than just a bombshell—she’s an actress, author, activist, and a woman who continues to evolve with time. With her latest critically acclaimed performance in The Last Showgirl, she has once again reminded everyone why she’s still a force in Hollywood.
A Chance Discovery That Led to Stardom
Anderson’s rise to fame was anything but conventional. In 1989, while attending a BC Lions Canadian Football League game in Vancouver, she was featured on the jumbotron wearing a tight-fitting Labatt’s beer T-shirt. The crowd went wild, and soon after, Labatt’s hired her as a spokesmodel. This unexpected moment catapulted her into the modeling world, leading to her first Playboy cover in October 1989.
From there, her career skyrocketed. She moved to Los Angeles, became Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in February 1990, and landed roles in Hollywood. One of her first acting gigs was playing Lisa, the Tool Girl, on Home Improvement (1991-1993). However, it was in 1992 that she secured the role that would define her career—C.J. Parker on Baywatch.
The Baywatch Boom & Pamela’s Peak Earnings
As Baywatch became a global phenomenon, Anderson’s career reached new heights. Initially earning $1,500 per episode when she joined in Season 3, her paychecks eventually grew to $300,000 per episode at the peak of her fame. Over five seasons, she reportedly made over $10 million from the series.
Even though the Baywatch reboot in 2017 wanted her to appear for free, she refused, proving that she knows her worth. Anderson continues to embrace her legacy but on her own terms.
Net Worth in 2025 – How Much Is Pamela Anderson Worth?
Pamela Anderson’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This wealth comes from her extensive career as an actress, model, TV producer, director, author, and activist. Although she no longer earns at her Baywatch peak, her memoir Love, Pamela, her Netflix documentary Pamela, a Love Story, and her return to acting have contributed to her continued financial success.
Family & Personal Life – A Rollercoaster Ride
Anderson’s personal life has been just as eventful as her career. She famously married Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in 1995 after knowing him for just four days. The relationship was tumultuous, and after multiple ups and downs—including a highly publicized domestic abuse case—the couple divorced in 1998.
The most infamous aspect of their marriage was the stolen sex tape that became one of the first major celebrity scandals of its kind. Despite the tape generating millions, Anderson never profited from it, choosing to protect her family instead. Her son, Brandon Thomas Lee, revealed in Pamela, a Love Story that his mother was often in debt despite her fame.
Anderson has since married and divorced four more times, most recently with former bodyguard Dan Hayhurst, whom she wed in 2020 before divorcing in 2022. Now, she has returned to Vancouver Island, Canada, where she enjoys a more peaceful life focused on activism and personal growth.
Recent Highlights – A Comeback in Hollywood
After stepping away from Hollywood for a while, Anderson made an impressive return in the last few years. In 2022, she made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, proving her versatility as a performer. Then, in 2024, she starred in The Last Showgirl, a critically acclaimed indie drama directed by Gia Coppola. The film, shot in just 18 days, marked a turning point in Anderson’s career, showing a depth and rawness that critics and audiences alike praised.
She called it the best role of her career, saying, “I think I’ve been getting ready my whole life for this role.”
Activism & A Legacy Beyond Hollywood
Pamela Anderson has long been known for her activism. Through the Pamela Anderson Foundation, she champions human, animal, and environmental rights. She has been an outspoken advocate for animal welfare, working closely with PETA, and has consistently used her platform to speak up about issues that matter to her.
Despite the highs and lows, Anderson remains a powerful figure in entertainment and activism. Whether through her acting, writing, or philanthropy, she continues to make an impact, proving that she is more than just a ’90s sex symbol—she is a survivor, a trailblazer, and an icon.
Whether she’s on the big screen, writing a memoir, or fighting for animal rights, Pamela Anderson continues to be a name people talk about—and for all the right reasons.
