Charlie Sheen Opens Up About Being HIV Positive on the TODAY Show

In a highly anticipated exclusive interview with Matt Lauer on the TODAY Show, Charlie Sheen revealed that he is HIV positive.

The 50-year-old actor expressed the difficulty of accepting this diagnosis, stating that it is a turning point in one's life.

Sheen disclosed that he decided to make this announcement in order to put an end to the smear campaign and extortion attempts he has been facing.

He expressed his frustration with the barrage of attacks and false stories that have been circulating about him, which not only threaten his own health but also the well-being of others.

He clarified that he has trusted certain individuals with his diagnosis, but has had to pay them millions of dollars to keep it a secret.

The actor stressed that his appearance on the TODAY Show will help him stop these payouts.

He shared that by going public with his HIV status, he aims to release himself from the prison of secrecy that has been weighing him down.

Sheen revealed that he was diagnosed approximately four years ago, but remains uncertain about how he contracted the virus.

Addressing concerns of transmitting the virus to others, Sheen insisted that he never knowingly infected anyone.

Although he admitted to engaging in unprotected s** with two people after his diagnosis, he emphasized that both individuals were informed beforehand and have been under the care of his doctor.

He firmly denied any involvement in high-risk behaviors such as sharing needles.

While HIV used to be considered a death sentence, medical advancements have transformed it into a manageable illness.

However, there is still no cure, and individuals diagnosed with HIV must take antiviral drugs for the rest of their lives.

Sheen revealed that he takes four pills daily, and his physician, Dr. Robert Huizenga, explained that the main challenge for the actor is not HIV itself, but the risk of relapsing into substance abuse or experiencing depression related to his diagnosis.

By making his HIV status public, Sheen hopes to combat the stigma associated with the virus.

He believes that he now has a responsibility to better himself and help others.

The actor shared that he informed his ex-wives, Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller, about his diagnosis when he first found out.

He also recently told his oldest daughter, who took the news hard but showed resilience.

Sheen's announcement brought attention back to his troubled past, including his struggles with drug addiction, involvement in pornography, and encounters with prostitutes.

Despite his previous success in Hollywood with prominent roles in films like “Wall Street” and “Red Dawn,” Sheen's reputation was marred by a public meltdown during his feud with the creator of “Two and a Half Men” in 2011, leading to his dismissal from the show.

While Sheen acknowledged that his behavior at that time was not influenced by his HIV diagnosis, he expressed regret for the actions he took during that period.

He recognized that there are many things he is not proud of and that he had missed out on numerous opportunities due to his controversial behavior.

Nevertheless, Sheen stated that he is now entering a phase of his life where he is more thoughtful and reflective.

He expressed his desire to focus on philanthropy and acknowledged that paying people to keep quiet about his condition, among other factors, has impacted his finances.

However, he remains optimistic, emphasizing that he is a survivor who has experienced both highs and lows throughout his life.

This new chapter is not driven by commerce but by a social purpose.