Supermodel Anok Yai has disclosed that she has been battling a congenital lung condition that placed prolonged strain on her heart and caused progressive damage to her lungs.

The 26-year-old model shared the details in a personal Instagram post, accompanied by videos from her hospital recovery, offering a rare glimpse into a health struggle she says unfolded quietly over the past year.

According to Yai, the condition went undetected for much of her life before symptoms gradually emerged and intensified. What began as a persistent cough developed into chest pain, episodes of coughing up blood, and occasional difficulty breathing.

Despite the worsening symptoms, Yai said she continued working while seeking medical treatment, explaining that she struggled to find the right moment to pause her career. She noted that delaying care only allowed her condition to progress further.

Yai rose to international prominence in 2017 after being discovered at a college homecoming event. A year later, she made fashion history as the first South Sudanese model to open a Prada runway show, a milestone that helped launch her global career. Since then, she has walked for major luxury fashion houses and appeared in leading fashion and beauty campaigns worldwide.

Reflecting on the experience, Yai said the health scare forced her to confront long-held beliefs about endurance and work ethic, acknowledging that her body ultimately demanded attention.

The model’s disclosure has been met with widespread messages of support from fans and members of the fashion industry as she continues her recovery.

Source: TNX Africa