Petra Nemcova Says Being Mom to Son Bodhi, 5, Makes 'Every Day Full of Magic' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Petra Nemcova.Photo:Mary Beth Koeth

Mary Beth Koeth

Growing up,Petra Nemcovahad never heard of tsunamis. Her introduction tragically came first-hand when she was caught up inthe disaster that swept through parts of Asia in 2004after a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia.

“Octonautsis this animated series, and they are rescuing different animals around the world. And they were talking about tsunamis, and so he learned. I was like, ‘Great. He knows about tsunamis. I didn’t know about tsunamis. I wish I knew,’ " the supermodel, now 45, says.

Petra Nemcova (right), husband Benjamin Larretche and their son Bodhi.

Nemcova’s then-boyfriend, photographer Simon Atlee, was killed in the 2004 tsunami. The couple had been vacationing in Thailand for the holidays when the disaster hit.

Nemcova recalls how she “barely survived” in this week’s issue of PEOPLE — her pelvis was broken in four places, and she clung to a palm tree for eight hours before being rescued.

Nemcova’s organization has since grown into the nonprofit she co-founded,All Hands and Hearts, unique in their ability to help global communities as they arrive on site early and stay late to help rebuild schools and homes in a disaster-resilient way.All Hands and Hearts, which is unique in their ability to help global communities as they arrive on site early and stay late to help rebuild schools and homes in a disaster-resilient way.

Petra Nemcova.

“You are helping others to rebuild their lives, but many times your life also gets, in a way, rebuilt,” Nemcova says of the volunteer work in more than 28 countries globally. “You find a purpose.”

The supermodel says her life now is one full of just that: purpose and joy. In 2019, shemarried entrepreneur Benjamin Larretche, and together they share son Bodhi.

“There’s no regular day in the life as a mom,” Nemcova says with a laugh. “Every day is different. but every day is full of magic. It’s [about] just living every day in gratitude for every blessing every morning, and being able to be with my son, my husband — people I love.”

For more on Petra Nemcova’s account of the 2004 tsunami and other survivor stories, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, orsubscribe.

source: people.com