Petra Nemcova (born 24 June 1979 in Karvina, Czechoslovakia, now Czech Republic) is a Czech model, television host, author, and philanthropist. She is the founder and chair of the Happy Hearts Fund. In December 2004, she was injured in Thailand by a tsunami resulting from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake; her then-fiance, photographer Simon Atlee, was killed in the tsunami.
Petra Nwmcova was scouted walking through the streets in Prague. Upon signing with Next Models, Nemcova moved to Milan where her career flourished. She was featured in campaigns for Benetton, Bulgari Sunglasses, Cartier, Clarins, Cortefiel, Dirk Bikkembergs, Fortunoff, Graff, HP Intel Personal Computer, HS, Intimissimi, John Lewis, Lancaster, La Perla, La Senza, Maindenform, Max Factor, Pantene Pro-V, Passport, Playtex, Rampage, Schwarzkopf, Victoria's Secret, and Wild Orchid. Additionally, she has appeared on the covers of Madame Figaro, Elle, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Flare, Vegas, Glamour, FHM, and Sports Illustrated. From 2000 to 2004, she has walked for designers Lolita Lempicka, Gai Mattiolo Erreuno, Matthew Williamson, Custo Barceloa, Blunauta, Dirk Bikkembergs, Gugliemo Cappone, Luciano soprani, Marina Babini,Yumi Katsura, Akadius, and Michino Koshino.
She was a contestant on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars and her professional dance partner was Dmitry Chaplin. She was voted off in the 5th week of the competition and came in 8th place.
Nemcova speaks Czech, Slovak, Polish, English, French and Italian. In December 2010, she became engaged to English actor Jamie Belman. In April, 2011 she confirmed on The Wendy Williams Show that she is currently married.
In February 2007, Nemcova became a vegan and gave up meat and dairy in order to 'help save ocean life.'