born June 24, 1979 in Karviná, Czechoslovakia, now Czech Republic. Petra Nemcova is a fashion model and; founder and president of Happy Hearts Fund.

In December 2004,Petra was injured in Thailand by a tsunami resulting from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake; her then-fiancé, Simon Atlee, was killed in the tsunami, Nemcova suffered a broken pelvis and serious internal injuries, but she managed to hold onto the top of a palm tree, reportedly for eight hours, until she was rescued by Thai civilians and airlifted to an inland hospital nearby.

Petra Nemcova father was a mason and her mother, a teacher. Petra Nemcova became a model after being spotted at the age of 16 during a national talent search.

Petra Nemcova was featured on the cover of the 2003 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue but appeared also in the editions of 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. She has also modeled for Victoria's Secret, and for many other companies in the women's clothing market.

In 2005, Petra Nemcova started The Happy Hearts Fund, a charitable campaign after her survival and recovery from the Tsunami of 2004. It aims to advocate and provide for disadvantaged youngsters who have had to endure hardship and who are not receiving the essential and sustainable help they need for healthy childhood development. It actively partners with charities, donors and foundations committed to providing immediate, tangible assistance for children.