In 2004, supermodel Petra Nemcova was enjoying a picturesque getaway in Thailand with her boyfriend, fashion photographer Simon Atlee, when a devastating tsunami struck their bungalow.
Amidst the turmoil, Atlee shouted Nemcova’s name, desperately searching for her. Meanwhile, Petra Nemcova, just 25 at the time, managed to endure the ordeal by gripping a palm tree for almost eight hours. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Diane Sawyer from ABC News conducted an interview with Petra Nemcova.
Now, two decades later, following one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history, Petra reunited with Sawyer to discuss the terrifying events of that day and the compassion of strangers that helped her survive.
She shared with Sawyer during a interview on “Good Morning America,” “Returning to that moment when my life transformed is always challenging.”
On December 26, 2004, as Petra Nemcova and Atlee were preparing to depart from a resort in Khao Lak, a tsunami struck, unleashing powerful waves that slammed into their bungalow. As the water swept them away, Nemcova recounted how she was able to grasp the top of a palm tree, holding on for almost eight hours until help arrived.
Nemcova reflected on that moment, saying, “I entered a state of calm, almost meditative, because I realized that panicking would only drain my energy. I needed every bit of my strength to survive.”
While gripping the tree tightly, Nemcova recounted hearing the desperate cries of individuals pleading for assistance, among them young children. In their initial interview in 2005, she explained to Sawyer, “I was unable to swim to them or assist them because my legs wouldn’t move.”
On March 3, 2004, the discovery and formal identification of Atlee’s body marked him as one of the approximately 230,000 individuals presumed to have perished in the catastrophe that affected regions including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Somalia, and Malaysia.
For Petra Nemcova, it was an act of extraordinary kindness that brought her back from the brink. When rescuers discovered her, she was left in tatters from the storm, having endured a fractured pelvis and severe internal injuries.
Strangers came to Nemcova’s aid, providing her with clothing and placing her on a floating mattress to navigate through the wreckage and get her to medical assistance, she recounted. She remarked about her rescuers, “These individuals were willing to put their lives on the line for complete strangers, which truly exemplifies the finest qualities of humanity.”
Following her survival of the tsunami, Petra Nemcova expressed uncertainty about her physical ability to walk again. She also grappled with emotional doubts regarding her recovery from the profound sorrow of losing Atlee.
“When I was uncertain about my ability to walk again, I concentrated on what I still had. I have my hands, so I can accomplish tasks. I have my eyes, allowing me to see. I have my ears, enabling me to hear,” she shared with Sawyer.
Petra expressed that while she focused on her personal recovery, the haunting cries of children pleading for help during the tsunami remained etched in her memory. She mentioned that those memories have been a driving force behind a mission she has pursued for the past twenty years.
According to Petra Nemcova, “On the day of the tsunami, I felt powerless to assist the children. However, today and each day forward, I have the power to make a difference, and that motivates me continually. We all have the opportunity to choose how we act every single day.”
She utilized her personal funds to establish a nonprofit organization, currently known as All Hands and Hearts, aimed at assisting individuals affected by natural disasters.
Petra emphasized the critical period of two to three months following natural disasters, noting that this is often when various organizations withdraw their assistance. She expressed the concern that without continued support, individuals in severely affected communities may feel hopeless, questioning, “How am I ever going to rebuild my life?”
She aimed to create a coalition that would step in during the aftermath of disasters and remain to provide support long after the global spotlight has faded.
Petra has transformed the organization into a worldwide network of nearly 70,000 volunteers who have consistently responded to natural disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes, assisting in the reconstruction of schools and helping homeowners regain stability.
Earlier this year, after Hurricane Helene caused significant devastation in the North Carolina mountains, Nemcova’s All Hands and Hearts organization stepped in to provide assistance.
Petra Nemcova stated, “On the second day, we pledged to remain for a full year,” noting that the organization aims to assist 500 families in North Carolina.
All Hands and Hearts is actively assisting individuals in Florida who were affected by Hurricane Milton in October, along with residents of Maui, Hawaii, who suffered from the devastating wildfires last year. Additionally, the organization is engaged in school construction initiatives in Mexico, Nepal, and the Philippines.
Petra expressed that there is still “a lot” of work ahead, and the organization is continuously seeking additional volunteers. Among the dedicated volunteers is the family of her late boyfriend, Atlee. In 2019, Petra Nemcova tied the knot with entrepreneur Benjamin Larretche, and together they welcomed their son, Bodhi.
She expressed, “I am blessed with a wonderful husband and a son, and there is so much to be thankful for.” She highlighted that following Atlee’s passing, her family and friends surrounded her with love and support.
“I consider myself fortunate to have encountered my other twin flame. Ben, my twin flame, is an extraordinary spirit, and I truly feel blessed, especially since I never anticipated this would occur,” she remarked.
On December 26, as the 20th anniversary of the tsunami approaches, Nemcova will join volunteers from All Hands and Hearts to light candles in remembrance of the 2004 tragedy and to symbolize hope for those facing challenges today. “We encourage everyone to come together with us to light a candle and spread more light in the world,” she stated.
Meanwhile David Muir and Petra Nemcova also attended the Time 100 Gala 2019 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2019 in New York City.