Petra Nemcova, a supermodel who survived the devastating 2004 tsunami in Thailand, has been reflecting on that fateful day as it marks the 20th anniversary of the disaster.
Nemcova was just 25 years old when she and her boyfriend Simon Atlee were vacationing along the Andaman coast. The couple’s lives changed forever when a massive earthquake triggered a 9.5-magnitude tsunami, ripping through their bungalow and claiming Atlee’s life.
The model recalls that Atlee’s screams of “Petra, my name!” are etched in her memory as she clung to a palm tree for eight hours, struggling to survive the disaster. Despite being swept away by the waves, Nemcova managed to stay calm and found solace in a meditative state, allowing her to conserve energy.
Miraculously, Nemcova survived but suffered from severe injuries, including a fractured pelvis and internal wounds. The strangers who rescued her selflessly risked their lives to save her, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Nemcova created the Happy Hearts Fund in 2005, which has grown into All Hands and Hearts, an organization that prepares and rebuilds homes and schools in areas affected by natural disasters. The supermodel has continued to give back, even meeting her husband Benjamin Larretche, who is also a twin flame for her.
Nemcova’s journey is one of resilience and hope, as she shares, “If you appreciate the gift of air, if you appreciate the ability to move your legs, everything else is much richer. Your life is happier. You’re living instead of just surviving.”
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/supermodel-petra-nemcova-says-its-still-difficult-discuss-surviving-tsunami-its-20th-anniversary