A Model Life: How Petra Nemcova transformed tragedy into
joy
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 [December 21, 2017]
By Chris Taylor
NEW YORK (Reuters) - If Petra Nemcova's
life were a movie plot, nobody would believe it.
Girl grows up under Communism in the former Czechoslovakia, climbs to
the top of the fashion world as one of the most famous models on the
planet, and nearly has it all taken away as a victim of the 2004 tsunami
in southeast Asia.
But Nemcova, 38, survived and she now heads a foundation called All
Hands and Hearts (https://www.allhandsandhearts.org), to help victims of
natural disasters around the world rebuild their schools and
communities.
For the latest in Reuters' "Life Lessons" series, Nemcova sat down to
talk about how to transform tragedy into joy.
Q: You grew up under Communism, so what was that experience like?
A: You were part of a system. So my dad was a bricklayer, my mom was a
teacher and we grew up with very little, picking up pennies to help put
food on the table. Our staple diet was lentils and eggs, and maybe we
could afford meat once a week. Once I wore the same pair of winter shoes
for seven years.
Q: How did you handle the transition to modeling?
A: Communism fell when I was 11 years old, so at that point my
generation got to follow their dreams. I grabbed opportunities in
modeling, because I knew that would get me out of the Czech Republic,
and I could take care of my parents, who had always taken food out of
their own mouths to feed us.
I entered the "Look of the Year" competition, won it, and started
traveling to places like Milan, Paris, London and New York.
Q: Coming from that experience, how did you handle the money that
started coming in?
A: In those early days there were lots of situations where I was misled
because I was young and naive, and I didn't know anything about the
financial world.
After that, I started investing in real estate, which seemed like a much
solid and safer choice for me. My first was an investment property in
Paris, and then I bought places in New York. I have invested in real
estate ever since.
Q: Working with famed designers so closely, did you learn from any of
them?
A: I learned by observing them, how passionate and dedicated they are -
in particular, Giorgio Armani, his work ethic and how particular he is.
[to top of second column] |
70th Cannes Film Festival - Model Petra Nemcova poses on the red
carpet prior to the screening of the film "Nelyubov" (Loveless) in
Cannes, France, May 18, 2017. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo
Another role model, when Communism fell and I got exposed to Western culture for
the first time, was Audrey Hepburn. Not only her incredible grace, but how she
used her platform to put a spotlight on those suffering.
Marc Benioff, (CEO) of Salesforce, is one of the most powerful business leaders
in world, but I have never met anyone who takes so much time to help others.
Q: Are you able to talk about your traumatic tsunami experience, and what you
learned from it?
A: Life has a way of teaching you its lessons. I was extremely successful. I was
happy with my partner, and we were on a romantic vacation. In a few seconds, we
went from a beautiful walk on the beach to something that shattered everyone's
lives.
My pelvis was crushed in four places, and for eight hours, I clung to a palm
tree in the waters. What I learned from that is that anything can happen at any
time. Nobody knows what will happen next, and every moment is a gift.
Even when you are going through tragedies, you can still focus on the positive.
When I was in the hospital and didn't know if I would ever walk again, I told
myself: 'Well, I still have my eyes and ears.' I lost my partner, but I still
had my family. You deal with hopelessness by being grateful.
Q: How did that experience inspire you with your foundation?
A: After natural disasters, when first responders leave, there is a gap where
communities have no support. In particular, children would wait for years for
schools to be rebuilt. We have focused on rebuilding schools after natural
disasters - 171 of them in 10 countries around the world.
Q: What life lessons do you try to pass on to others?
A: Take the time to really experience giving and not just write a check. Go to
the places you are helping, because it will give you a different understanding
of life, and a new dimension of joy and gratitude. If you don't do that, you are
missing out on what life has to offer.
(Editing by Lauren Young and G Crosse)
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