The One-Year Whirlwind: 5 Shocking Reasons Pamela Anderson Called Her Marriage To Bodyguard Dan Hayhurst A 'Disaster'

The whirlwind romance between actress and activist Pamela Anderson and her former bodyguard, Dan Hayhurst, was one of the most unexpected celebrity marriages of the COVID-19 era, culminating in a secret Christmas Eve wedding in 2020. However, the fairy tale on Vancouver Island was tragically short-lived, as the couple separated just 13 months later in early 2022. The details surrounding their swift divorce, which Pamela herself later described as a "disaster," reveal a clash of worlds that ultimately proved unsustainable for the global icon who has since found peace living an independent life in her native Canada, as confirmed by her current single status in late 2025.

The intense, private nature of their coupling—which began during the height of the pandemic lockdown—contrasted sharply with the very public fallout that followed, documented in the wake of her 2023 memoir, Love, Pamela, and the Netflix documentary, Pamela, a Love Story. The narrative shifted from a secluded, romantic union to a difficult chapter that the Baywatch star was eager to close, moving her focus back to her family, her career, and her personal well-being.

Dan Hayhurst: Biography and Profile

Dan Hayhurst was a relatively unknown figure thrust into the global spotlight through his marriage to Pamela Anderson. Unlike her previous high-profile husbands, Hayhurst was a local Canadian man whose professional life was tied to manual labor and security.

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• Full Name: Dan Hayhurst
• Nationality: Canadian
• Primary Occupations: Builder, Contractor, and Bodyguard
• Place of Birth: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Estimated Age: Believed to be in his 50s (born late 1970s)
• Connection to Pamela Anderson: Met her while working as a builder/contractor and later acting as her bodyguard during the renovation of her family estate on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
• Relationship Status with Anderson: Married on Christmas Eve 2020; Filed for divorce in January 2022.
• Marriage Count: Pamela Anderson's fifth husband (following Tommy Lee, Kid Rock, and Rick Salomon twice).

The Whirlwind Romance and Secret Christmas Wedding

The relationship between Pamela Anderson and Dan Hayhurst blossomed during the initial COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. Pamela had returned to her family’s sprawling Vancouver Island property, a place she considers her true home, to oversee renovations and live a quieter life.

Hayhurst, a local builder and contractor, was working on the property when their professional relationship turned romantic. This setup—a secluded environment with minimal external influence—fostered an intense and rapid connection. The two were reportedly spending all their time together, leading to a quick engagement and a secret wedding.

The private, rustic ceremony took place on Christmas Eve 2020, on the grounds of her historic Canadian estate. Photos from the wedding showed a simple, beautiful affair that seemed to promise a grounded, peaceful life away from the Hollywood spotlight. The marriage appeared to be a return to roots for the former Baywatch star, who had previously been married to musicians like Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee and Kid Rock, and businessman Rick Salomon.

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However, the intense bubble of the lockdown and the secluded romance quickly burst once the world began to open up, and the couple was forced to confront their fundamental differences.

The 5 Core Reasons the Marriage Ended in 'Disaster'

After just 13 months, Pamela Anderson filed for divorce in her native Canada in January 2022. The reasons for the split were multifaceted, extending beyond simply "falling out of love." Sources close to Anderson, and later her own reflections in her memoir, painted a picture of a relationship that became emotionally strained and unsupportive.

The key factors that led to the breakdown of the marriage, which she later candidly referred to as a "disaster," included:

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1. Emotional Distance and Lack of Support

One of the most frequently cited reasons for the split was Dan Hayhurst's alleged behavior. Multiple reports suggested that he was "unkind," "unsupportive," and failed to treat the actress in the way she desired. The emotional distance grew, and the dynamic shifted from a supportive partnership to one that left Anderson feeling isolated. This breakdown in the emotional core of the marriage was a critical turning point.

2. The Unbearable Clash of Lifestyles (California vs. Canada)

While Pamela loved her Vancouver Island home, she is fundamentally a "California girl through and through," having spent decades in the United States. The permanent move to Canada, while initially romantic, meant a significant distance from her two sons, Brandon Thomas Lee and Dylan Jagger Lee. The geographical separation from her children became a major emotional hurdle that the marriage could not overcome, as she missed being close to them.

3. A Breakdown in Shared Values and Expectations

The intimate environment of the lockdown may have masked deeper incompatibilities. Once the initial romance faded, the couple realized they had very little in common, leading to significant differences in personal values and household responsibilities. The expectations of a high-profile star and a local contractor/builder proved to be too far apart to reconcile in the long term.

4. Pamela’s Renewed Focus on Her Career and Memoir

The period following the split coincided with Anderson’s major career resurgence, marked by the release of her memoir, Love, Pamela, and the Netflix documentary, Pamela, a Love Story. This intense focus on reclaiming her narrative and career required significant personal and emotional energy, which may have further illuminated the lack of support in her personal life. The creative process of reflecting on her life and past relationships, including her true love for Tommy Lee, likely put the short-lived Hayhurst marriage into sharp perspective.

5. The Candid "Disaster" Reflection

In the aftermath, Pamela Anderson did not mince words about the experience, later calling the marriage a "disaster." This reflection, made during interviews promoting her memoir, cemented the narrative that the relationship was a significant misstep—a brief chapter she was relieved to close in order to move on to a peaceful, independent life. She expressed contentment with being single, focusing on her family and her home.

Life After Hayhurst: Pamela Anderson's Path to Peace (2025 Update)

Since the finalization of her divorce from Dan Hayhurst, Pamela Anderson has embraced a life of independence and tranquility on her beloved Vancouver Island estate. As of late 2025, the star remains single, having stated that she is "not even thinking" about dating and is enjoying a peaceful, independent existence.

The end of the Hayhurst marriage marked a turning point, allowing Anderson to fully dedicate herself to her family, her advocacy work, and her artistic endeavors. She has publicly expressed that she is now in a place of great satisfaction, enjoying the simple pleasures of being at home and being her own person. The whirlwind marriage to Dan Hayhurst—the builder who became her bodyguard and then her husband—is now firmly categorized as a closed chapter in the complex and fascinating history of one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons.