In a heartfelt and unexpected revelation, celebrated supermodel Anok Yai has shared a serious health diagnosis that forced her to take a break from her soaring career. The 28-year-old model, recently honoured as the 2025 Model of the Year, disclosed that she is battling a congenital defect that severely impacts her heart and lungs.
The Silent Battle: Anok Yai's Health Revelation
On Friday, December 19, Anok Yai took to Instagram, where she has a following of 3.3 million, to inform her fans about her condition. She posted photos and videos from a hospital bed, explaining she was dealing with a "silent battle." The Egyptian-born model wrote that she had incidentally discovered she has a congenital defect that is "overworking" her heart and "slowly destroying" her lungs.
Yai is a major figure in global fashion. She is only the second Black model ever to open a Prada show, following the legendary Naomi Campbell. Her portfolio includes iconic appearances for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Allure, alongside runway walks for Versace and Burberry and campaigns for giants like Nike and Tiffany & Co.
From Persistent Cough to Diagnosis: The Missed Symptom
Despite being asymptomatic for most of her life, Yai's journey to diagnosis began with a common symptom she initially overlooked: a persistent cough. This cough, which she might have once ignored, escalated dramatically. "[The cough] turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times struggling to breathe," she recalled.
This experience was a wake-up call for the model, who admitted she previously believed she could "outwork or outrun anything." She stated that the universe has a "way of slowing you down and waking you up." Her condition, present since birth (congenital), was finally identified. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), such defects can cause a range of physical and developmental issues and require prompt treatment to prevent lifelong problems.
Successful Surgery and a Message of Hope
The supermodel shared a positive update regarding her treatment. She underwent a successful robotic lung surgery, a minimally invasive procedure performed through tiny incisions to remove affected lung tissue or lymph nodes. Concluding her message on a resilient note, Yai assured her followers, "I’ll be back. See ya."
Her announcement casts a spotlight on congenital defects, which are more common than many realize. The NICHD notes that one in every thirty-three infants born in the US has a major congenital anomaly. Risk factors can include certain medications, infections during pregnancy, and habits like smoking or alcohol use. Common signs, as listed by the Mayo Clinic, include irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, and bluish skin.
Anok Yai's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to one's body and seeking medical attention for persistent symptoms, no matter how ordinary they may seem.
