April 16, 2026

Michaela Tomanova: A Legacy of Courage, Compassion, and Change 

In this interview, we explore the life of a woman who navigates worlds as diverse as science, fashion, and philanthropy, all while staying grounded in what she considers truly meaningful. From her HIV research to walking the runways of Paris and founding the Ludmila Foundation, she shares how motherhood has transformed the way she lives, works, and understands the responsibility of giving back and creating impact. With a clear vision of the importance of dignity, education, and empowerment, she invites us to see how she combines passion, discipline, and purpose in every aspect of her life, leaving a legacy that inspires and redefines what it means to use a platform to drive change. 

top and skirt L’AGENCE 

shoes COURRÈGES 

SEBASTIAN MAGUNACELAYA: How would you describe your daily life balancing all these roles? 

MICHAELA TOMANOVA: My life moves between very different worlds, but they all feel like part of the same story. One moment I’m at a hospital, focused on my research, and the next I’m stepping onto a runway in Paris. But the most defining role is the one that happens in the quiet. Being a mother has changed my relationship with myself, time, with ambition, and with what I consider meaningful. I no longer try to do everything at once. I try to be fully present in whatever I’m doing which is sometimes very hard to do. 

SM: Your daughter inspired the Ludmila Foundation. What does it represent to you? 

MT: I became truly aware of how fortunate I am to have a healthy child. You begin to think beyond yourself, especially of those who are not so fortunate in life. When my daughter Ludmila turns thirty, the foundation will become hers. I want her to grow up knowing that life is not only about what we receive, but about what we give. That kindness, responsibility, and the ability to give back are not optional, they are part of who we are. In a way, the foundation is not only for others. It’s also how I hope to raise her. 

suit and hat CHOCHENGCO 

shoes COURRÈGES 

SM: What drew you to HIV research? 

MT: During studying at medical school, I truly fell in love with microbiology. The idea that something invisible can have such a profound impact on human life fascinated me. Over time, that curiosity became more personal. Medically, HIV has changed dramatically, but socially, there is still a huge distance. I wanted to work in a field where science doesn’t stay abstract, but translates into real life. Where you can contribute not only to treatment, but also to dignity and understanding. That intersection is what continues to drive me. And my patients too. 

SM: You presented your research at the United Nations. How did that moment feel? 

MT: I could hardly believe it. At that moment, I wasn’t just representing myself. I was representing my hospital, my university, our doctors, our patients, and more than 40 million people living with HIV worldwide. It felt like an incredible responsibility, but also a huge opportunity. An opportunity to show that healthcare is not only about treatment, but also about dignity, understanding, and quality of life. It’s a moment that stayed with me, because it made everything I do feel even more meaningful. 

SM: What is the biggest barrier in destigmatizing HIV today? 

MT: I think it’s the persistence of outdated perceptions. People often associate HIV with fear rather than with the reality of modern treatment and life. What many people don’t realize is that nearly half of all people living with HIV globally are women. And their stories are often overlooked. In Europe, even when women are on effective treatment and medically stable, they are still not allowed to breastfeed their children. These are deeply human questions—about motherhood, identity, and dignity. I stand for those women, truly. And I feel a strong responsibility to bring their voices into the conversation. It’s also a direction I want to continue exploring more deeply after I complete my research—because beyond the science, there are still stories that need to be seen and understood. 

trench and shorts THE FRANKIE SHOP 

earrings ROHIN’S 

sweater FRAME 

boots MANOLO BLAHNIK 

SM: What does Miss Universe represent to you? 

MT: For me, it represents possibilities. The possibilities to redefine what this kind of platform can be. I wanted to show that you can bring depth, purpose, and authenticity into a space that is often perceived only visually. It’s about expanding the definition, not fitting into it. 

SM: You’ve walked Paris Fashion Week many times. What keeps you grounded? 

MT: Having a life outside of fashion. My work, my studies, my daughter—those are the things that keep me anchored. Fashion is an incredible world, but it’s also very temporary. What grounds me is what continues beyond it. 

SM: How do you use your platform to create change? 

MT: I try to make complex topics feel accessible and close—especially through my Instagram platform, HiWellness, where I translate health and prevention into a language people can actually relate to. Recently, I’ve also taken on a more active role in shaping new preventive sexual education programs for young adults. And thanks to my foundation, I will be able to fund these initiatives and bring them into real life. For me, this is essential because the way we speak to younger generations defines how they will understand and approach their own health.I want to shift the perception of sexually transmitted diseases- from something people fear or avoid, to something they understand, approach responsibly, and feel empowered to prevent. 

jewelry TIFFANY & CO. 

dress MOHAMAD BEYROUTY 

SM: Your philosophy, in one sentence? 

MT: I believe that true fortune in life lies in knowing how to give back. 

SM: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? 

MT: Becoming a mother changed something in me. It gave my life a clarity and a kind of motivation I had never known before. Everything I do now is, in a way, for her. Not in expectation—but in example. I want her to see that she can build her own path, and that what she chooses to do should have meaning. And above all, I want her to understand bravery. Because without it, it’s very hard to become who you’re meant to be. I’ve always admired Princess Diana, especially the moment she changed the world’s perception of AIDS with a single gesture. That kind of quiet courage, that ability to shift how people see others… that’s something I deeply believe in. That is the kind of legacy I hope to create. 

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MICHAELA TOMANOVA 

photographer STEFAN IMIELSKI 

stylist TANIA TUKA 

Make-up artist EMILIE PLUME using M.A.C COSMETICS

hair TAAN DOAN 

photo assistant NICOLA BELTRANDI 

videographer ALINA KOROBOCHKO