LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE Petra and Benjamin’s son is clearly thriving in the relaxed surroundings of the couple’s second home, surrounded by lush jungle on a hilltop in the town of Samana. Their main residence is in Miami.
“We have both spent time in busy cities – Paris, London, New York. It is such a fast life,” says Petra. “We wanted to have a home surrounded by nature. There is a saying that what and who you surround yourself with, you become, so we wanted to bring our child into this tranquil environment, where he can be impacted by these blissful surroundings.” As Bodhi, who was born on 15 November, slumbers peacefully, this approach certainly appears to be working. “Yes, he is thriving. He is very happy and so loved. He is super healthy and strong, and he has grown so much. We are in such a happy place now. It was not like that at the beginning.” Petra is referring to her son’s arrival six weeks before his due date. “Ben and I say Bodhi wanted to see the world very quickly – he could not wait. He is a very curious boy. He was curious then and is still curious.”
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landscape of his idyllic home by the ocean in the Dominican Republic. If ever pictures were worth a thousand words, it is these world-exclusive photos of Bodhi with his parents – Czech supermodel and philanthropist Petra Nemcova and her French-Venezuelan entrepreneur husband Benjamin Larretche – as they speak for the first time about their precious little boy’s dramatic arrival and heart-wrenching first few weeks of life. When hello! says it looks as though they have settled into family life, Petra, 40, laughs, telling us: “We are excited about parenthood, but I don’t think settled is the word we would use. We are learning every day. Phew, it is a big university of life. It is both an incredibly beautiful and challenging journey, as
every parent will tell you. We are very grateful for the gift of life.” Benjamin, 38, is embracing his new role as a dad. “It really gives me the opportunity to be the best version of myself on a daily basis,” he says. “Waking up in the morning and seeing his smile is a true blessing; it fuels my day.” Bodhi’s name sums up the difference his arrival has made to his mum and dad’s lives. “Bodhi means enlightenment, and he brings more light to our world,” says Petra. “His second name is Theo, which means gift of God, so both names are very meaningful to us.”
Petra and husband Benjamin Larretche (together right) relax (above, with Bodhi) in their Caribbean home, nestled in the jungle (left and below) and offering far-reaching views of the ocean. “We have both spent time in busy cities,” says Petra. “We wanted to have a home surrounded by nature”
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(ABOVE LEFT) PETRA & BENJAMIN’S OUTFITS: CARROT BANANA BEACH. BODHI’S OUTFIT: L’OVEDBABY. (RIGHT) PETRA’S DRESS: DANIELLE FICHERA. BENJAMIN’S SHIRT & TROUSERS: OUTERKNOWN
urrounded by the love of his adoring parents, S three-month-old Bodhi is enjoying every moment of his debut photoshoot in the luscious
