Today many start their careers before they even hit puberty, but Pamela only got her big break at the age of 21. By 1988, Anderson found a job as a fitness instructor in Vancouver and met her would-be boyfriend, photographer Dan Ilicic.
Visiting a Columbia Lions Football game at the Vancouver Stadium, Pam’s life was about to change. There she wore a Labatt Beer t-shirt and caught the attention of the stadium camera, an image that resulted in wild cheers from the crowds.
Where It All Began
In 1967, Pamela Denise Anderson was born into a very humble family in Ladysmith, British Columbia. Her father, Barry, repaired furnaces.
Barry's grandfather, Juho was a Finnish immigrant who came to Canada in 1908 and changed his last name from Hyytiäinen to Anderson in other to assimilate. Pamela's mother, Carol, was a waiter who had a bit of Russian descent. Her younger brother was born in 1971.
A Special Baby
Anderson was born on the 1st of July. She was lucky enough that her birthday fell on the date and year that Canada would celebrate the 100th Anniversary of its official founding. Since she was born in the early hours of the day, she was declared Canada’s first “Centennial Baby.”
She even had some newspapers reporting about her that day, so it's safe to say she was born to be famous.
The Boyfriend That Changed It All
Boyfriend Dan saw a terrific opportunity in Pamela. There's a reason why many photographers and models date, it's a relationship that benefits both sides.
Dan made a poster of Pamela wearing her Labatt Beer t-shirt that said “Enter the Blue Zone. Labatt’s”, producing the Blue Zone Girl – an ad campaign that will change her life. The Labatt Beer Company signed Anderson as their spokesperson. That was just the start.
When Pam Met Jon
There isn't a lot that is known about Dan and Pam's relationship. But we do know it came to an end as her career was beginning. While scoring a string of modeling gigs in the late 80s, Anderson met hot-shot movie producer Jon Peters at the Playboy Mansion.
Peters must have made quite the impression on the young model because, despite their 22-year gap, the two moved in together shortly after meeting.