Top model Anok Yai has shared a private and serious health struggle with her followers, revealing she was recently diagnosed with a significant congenital defect affecting her heart and lungs.
A Silent Battle Comes to Light
The supermodel, who made history as the first Black model to open a Prada runway show in 2018, posted a candid update on Instagram on Friday. She explained that doctors discovered a birth defect which had gone unnoticed for most of her life. According to Boston Children’s Hospital, such conditions affect around three to four per cent of all newborns, with symptoms often lying dormant for decades.
"For the past year I’ve been dealing with this silent battle," Yai wrote alongside clips of herself in a hospital bed. "I incidentally found out I had a congenital defect overworking my heart and slowly destroying my lungs."
From a Cough to a Crisis
Yai, who was named Model of the Year at the 2025 Fashion Awards, described being asymptomatic until a persistent cough signalled trouble. The situation rapidly escalated. "[The cough] turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times struggling to breathe," she recounted.
Despite the severity, she initially tried to continue working. "I chose to work through this while trying to find the right doctor and the right time," she said. "I quickly realised there was never going to be a ‘right time’ — my health would continue to worsen."
Robotic Surgery and Recovery
The model ultimately underwent a major medical procedure to address the issue. "So, yesterday I had a successful robotic lung surgery," Yai announced, thanking surgeon Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his team. This type of operation, known as robotic thoracic surgery, is used to remove diseased lung tissue.
She also expressed gratitude to Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and staff at Beverly Hills Concierge Health for diagnosing her condition, as well as the medical teams at NYU Langone. "Thank you to my friends and family for being the first thing I saw when I woke up," she added.
Concluding her message on a determined note, Yai stated: "For now, I’m healing … but I’ll be back. See ya." Her revelation comes just weeks after she triumphed at the Fashion Awards, where she reflected on those who doubted her longevity in the industry, quipping: "It’s been a long six months, huh?"
