Supermodel Petra Nemcova, who miraculously survived the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami by clinging to a tree for nearly eight hours despite suffering a crushed pelvis, has opened up about her traumatic experience two decades later. In an emotional interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, the Czech model reflected on the tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 230,000 people, including her boyfriend, photographer Simon Atlee.

Nemcova, known for her work with Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret, was on a holiday in Khao Lak, Thailand, when the catastrophic tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. The disaster was triggered by a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean, sending towering waves crashing into coastal regions across South Asia. Thailand alone lost over 5,000 people.

Surviving Against All Odds

On the morning of the tsunami, Nemcova and Atlee were preparing to leave their beachfront bungalow when they were suddenly swept away by an enormous wave. The sheer force of the water shattered Nemcova’s pelvic bones, rendering her unable to move her legs. As debris rushed past her, she desperately clung to anything within reach until she finally latched onto a palm tree, where she remained for nearly eight excruciating hours.

“I went into a stillness, almost like a meditative state,” she recalled in the interview. “I knew that if I panicked, I would lose more energy, and I needed every ounce of strength to stay alive.”

Meanwhile, her boyfriend Simon Atlee was carried away by the relentless currents. His last words, calling her name, would forever be etched into Nemcova’s memory. Sadly, his body was later found months after the tragedy.

A Life-Altering Rescue

Nemcova’s survival was nothing short of miraculous. Local rescuers found her naked, bleeding internally, and in agonizing pain. They provided her with clothing and gently placed her on a floating mattress before navigating her through the wreckage to safety.

“The people who saved me risked their lives for a complete stranger,” she said, expressing immense gratitude. “That moment showed me the best of humanity.”

After being airlifted to a hospital, doctors were unsure if she would ever walk again. However, through determination and resilience, Nemcova not only recovered physically but also found a new purpose in life.

Turning Tragedy into Purpose

The haunting memory of hearing children scream for help—only to be met with silence minutes later—deeply affected Nemcova. It became the driving force behind her humanitarian work. In 2005, she founded All Hands and Hearts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities rebuild after natural disasters.

“After disaster relief organizations leave, that’s when people sink deeper into depression,” she explained. “That’s when they need the most support.”

Since its inception, All Hands and Hearts has mobilized nearly 70,000 volunteers, rebuilding schools and homes in disaster-stricken areas across the world. Most recently, the organization provided aid in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene and in Florida after Hurricane Milton. They are also assisting residents of Maui, Hawaii, in the aftermath of deadly wildfires, as well as communities in Mexico, Nepal, and the Philippines.

A New Chapter of Love and Hope

Despite the immense loss and trauma, Nemcova found happiness again. In 2019, she married entrepreneur Benjamin Larretche, and together they welcomed their son, Bodhi.

“I feel incredibly blessed,” she shared. “I lost one twin flame, but I was fortunate enough to meet another.”

As the 20th anniversary of the tsunami approaches, Nemcova and her organization plan to honor the victims with a candle-lighting ceremony, symbolizing hope and resilience.

“We will invite everyone to light a candle in remembrance,” she said. “It’s a way to bring more light into the world.”

From tragedy to triumph, Petra Nemcova’s journey is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the ability to transform unimaginable pain into a force for good.

 

Supermodel Petra Nemcova who survived 2004 tsunami by clinging to a tree relives the horror 20 years later

Supermodel Petra Nemcova, who miraculously survived a deadly tsunami in 2004 by clinging to a tree with a crushed pelvis, opened up about the horror she faced two decades ago.

Nemcova sat down for an interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America to reflect on her experience in one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history.

The Czech model, who has appeared in campaigns for Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret, was on a dream vacation in Thailand with her boyfriend when the terrifying tsunami tore through their bungalow.

‘It’s always difficult to go back in that moment when my life changed,’ the now 45-year-old said during the segment, which also included footage from her Sawyer’s original interview in 2005, months after the blissful vacation turned into a nightmare.

The tsunami, which claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people in Thailand, was the result of an earthquake in the Indian Ocean.

It ripped through several countries across South Asia, ultimately killing nearly 230,000 people.

Nemcova and Simon Atlee, her photographer boyfriend, were packing their bags to leave the Khao Lak resort on the morning after Christmas in 2004.

Within seconds, powerful waves ripped the pair out of their bungalow.

Nemcova frantically tried to cling onto the crushed debris rushing around her, but the force of the water crushed her pelvic bones and rendered her unable to use her legs.

Czech supermodel Petra Nemcova sat down for an interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America nearly 20 years to the day after she miraculously survived a deadly tsunami in 2004 while in Thailand

The then 25-year-old model was on a dream vacation with her boyfriend when the terrifying tsunami – which killed more than 5,000 people in Thailand – ripped through their bungalow

Against all odds, Nemcova was able to latch onto a palm tree where she remained for nearly eight hours – completely naked, bleeding internally and in agony from breaking every bone in her pelvis

The interview, which aired on Thursday, came nearly 20 years after she first had a conversation with Sawyer in 2005 – just months after the disaster

The last thing she heard from her boyfriend, who died in the disaster, was him screaming her name.

Amid the chaos, Nemcova was able to latch onto a palm tree, where she remained for nearly eight hours – all while completely naked, bleeding internally and in agony from every bone in her pelvis being broken.

‘I went into this stillness, into like, a meditative state,’ the model recalled in her most recent interview.

‘Because I knew if I started panicking, you lose more energy, and I needed all my energy to keep alive.’

A courageous rescue saved Nemcova from slipping away.

Strangers found Nemcova, whose clothes were ripped off from the sheer force of the water, and gave her a T-shirt before gently placing her on a floating mattress and steering her through the debris toward medical help.

‘Those people were ready to risk their lives for strangers and that shows you the best of humanity,’ she said during the interview.

After surviving against all odds, it was unclear whether or not she’d ever be able to walk again or emotionally recover from the traumatizing loss of her boyfriend.

The tsunami, which ripped across several countries in South Asia, was the result of an earthquake in the Indian Ocean and claimed the lives of nearly 230,000 people

The model’s boyfriend at the time, photographer Simon Atlee, tragically died in the disaster

‘I went into this stillness, into like, a meditative state. Because I knew if I started panicking, you lose more energy, and I needed all my energy to keep alive,’ Nemcova recalled about her time latching onto the palm tree for eight agonizing hours

Nemcova tearfully recalled her shattered pelvis keeping her from swimming toward the sound of children screaming in terror, leading her to launch All Hands and Hearts – a non-profit organization that supports those affected by natural disasters

But the memory of children desperately screaming for help before she was met with deafening silence 30 minutes later plagued her mind and pushed her forward throughout her personal recovery.

During the 2005 interview with Sawyer, Nemcova tearfully recalled her shattered pelvis keeping her from swimming toward the sound of children screaming in terror.

That memory fueled a passion that would define the next 20 years of her life.

Nemcova launched All Hands and Hearts – a non-profit organization aimed at supporting people devastated by natural disasters long after aid organizations go home and the world’s attention fades.

She explained that after these organizations leave, ‘the depression goes deeper, and that’s when many suicides happen.

‘And if there is no more support from organizations, you’re like how am I ever going to rebuild my life.’

Using her own money, she built the organization into a global army of nearly 70,000 volunteers – the family of her late boyfriend among them.

‘That day of the tsunami, I didn’t have a choice to help children, but today and everyday I have a choice,’ she said. ‘And we all have a choice. Everyday.’

Her organization showed up to North Carolina earlier this year (pictured) following Hurricane Helene, which left widespread destruction across the state

She eventually got married in 2019 to entrepreneur Benjamin Larretche

The pair had a baby shortly later, who they named Bodhi

The organization has helped rebuild schools and gotten homeowners back to reclaiming their lives after disasters like tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes.

All Hands and Hearts showed up to North Carolina earlier this year after Hurricane Helene left widespread destruction across the state.

‘We were there on day two, and we made a commitment to stay for one year,’ she said, noting that the organization plans to help 500 families in the area.

The non-profit is also aiding those affected by Hurricane Milton in Florida, along with residents of Maui, Hawaii, who suffered from deadly wildfires last year.

Volunteers are also working on construction projects in Mexico, Nepal and the Philippines.

Through all of the trauma and heartbreak, Nemcova eventually moved on – getting married in 2019 to entrepreneur Benjamin Larretche and giving birth to their son, Bodhi.

‘I have a son and I have a beautiful husband and there’s so many blessings to be grateful for,’ she said.

Additionally, she recalled how Altee’s friends and family showered her with love and support after his tragic death.

The model was once featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated

Before helping children and other victims of natural disasters around the world, Nemcova released a book that recalled her life before and after the tsunami

‘I was lucky, because I met my other twin flame’ she added.

‘Ben is my twin flame and he is an incredible soul, and I just feel so lucky, because I didn’t know it was going to happen.’

On December 26, the 20-year anniversary of the tsunami, Nemcova along with volunteers from her organization plan to light candles in memory of the victims – the flames reflecting a sign of hope for people today.

‘We will invite everybody to join us to light a candle to bring more light to the world,’ she said.