Model​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Anok Yai has made public that she has been born with a lung defect which, according to her, is “destroying” her ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌lungs.

Supermodel​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Anok Yai Opens up About Her Life-Threatening Health Condition

Supermodel Anok Yai has broken her silence. Her doctors found a congenital defect that is overloading her heart and “slowly destroying” her lungs, which she recently confessed to us.
“I have been fighting this silent battle unknowingly for a year now, exact words’ Anok posted on social media on the 19th of December. She detailed that the illness that was at first asymptomatic led to her having a constant cough, chest pain, and eventually coughing up blood.”
“I went to work as if nothing was happening and at the same time, I was searching for the right doctor and the right moment,” she told that she realized in a flash that there would never be a ‘right moment’ and that her health would keep on ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌deteriorating.”

Anok​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Yai Survives Congenital Defect After Successful Robotic Lung Surgery

The Fashion Awards Model of the Year 2025, Anok Yai, who just fitted this accolade on Dec. 1, informed of her post-surgery recovery following the procedure on her lungs.
“I’ve always felt like I could work or run my way out of anything, but the universe has its own way of stopping you and making you realize,” she revealed. “Therefore I underwent a Robotic Lung Surgery successfully yesterday. A big thanks to Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his wonderful and skilled team who I will forever be grateful for giving me more time.”
Anok, posting photos and videos from her hospital bed with the family around, additionally expressed gratitude to the staff who have been working with ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌her.

Anok​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Yai Thanks Doctors and Loved Ones After Life-Saving Lung Surgery

“I am eternally thankful to Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and the entire @beverlyhillsconciergehealth team who diagnosed my illness,” Anok Yai wrote, in addition, she thanked “the doctors and nurses who are the miracle workers at @nyulangone.”
Originating from Egypt, Anok is the daughter of Sudanese refugee parents. After moving to the United States, her family settled there. Anok also showed great appreciation to her family and friends who stood by her during the most difficult times of her health scare by posting pictures of her in the hospital bed with the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌family.

Anok​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Yai Thanks Family and Friends as She Focuses on Healing

“And thank you to my friends and family for being the first thing I saw when I woke up,” Anok Yai said as she posted that she is still focused on recovery. “Right now I’m healing … but I’ll be back. See ya.”
Her remarks were instantly met with an outpour of support from celebrity friends. Naomi Campbell commented, “Spending you love, light and healing… may God cover and protect you.”
WNBA player Angel Reese said, “praying for you my sweet love. you are strong & will win this battle. i love you ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌sister.”