Padma Parvati Lakshmi is an American model and cookbook writer. Growing upward, Padma’s dad was an executive for the drug company Pfizer and Padma’s mom, Vijaya, was a nurse who specialized in suicide prevention. As a kid, Padma Lakshmi split her time between her grandparent’s house in Chennai and her mom’s dwelling in Nyc. As an only child, the divorce that ensued between Padma’s parents was difficult to get, particularly considering her parent’s remarriage soon following the divorce.
Padma was found with a modeling agency in Madrid during her time abroad on a school study excursion. Padma self-identifies as the primary Indian model to gain widespread notoriety in Nyc, Milan and Paris. Actually, Padma’s modeling career skyrocketed so out of the blue that she could pay off all of her school loans from her first modeling shoots. Padma has modeled for fashion greats like Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren, yet Padma’s picture crystallized in the public awareness thanks mainly to Helmut Newton. Helmut Newton audaciously emphasized Padma Lakshmi’s imperfections by revealing the scars on Padma’s arms; these scars came from an early car crash.
Just how much is Padma Lakshmi’s Net Worth? $20 Million! Along with modeling Padma has composed cookbooks which have brought nearly universal praise from critics. Considering that the early success of the cookbook, Padma has gone on to host Food Network’s “Padma’s Passport,” which features Padma cooking mainly vegetarian offerings. Padma in addition has appeared on cooking shows in Spain, England and her native India. The truth is, thanks to Padma’s cooking chops and her early modeling attempts her net worth stands at about five million dollars.
Workman High School, in California, Clack University
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Salman Rushdie (m. 2004–2007)
Children
Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell
Parents
Vijaya Lakshmi
Nicknames
Padma Parvati Lakshmi
Awards
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program, Emmy Award
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program, James Beard Award for Television Food Show, National or Local
Movies
‘Glitter’ (2001), ‘Boom’ (2003), ‘Unzipped’ (1995), ‘Domenica In’ (1997), ‘Il Figlio di Sandokan’ (1998), ‘Caraibi – Pirates: Blood Brothers’ (1999)
TV Shows
‘Padma’s Passport’, ‘Planet Food’, ‘The Mistress of Spices’ (2005), ‘Top Chef’ (since 2006 up to date) and ‘30 Rock’ (2009)
Star Sign
Virgo
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Quote
1
It's healthy and attractive when a person has a good appetite!
2
I was the first Indian model to have a career in Paris, Milan and New York. I am the first one to admit I was a novelty. (December 2007)
3
All the pictures that have been taken of me are artistic. Even if they were provocative or revealing, I don't think they were vulgar. (December 2007)
4
I was brought to believe that the female form is a beautiful thing. I think it's not so much what you do but how you do it that matters. I don't think I've done anything that was exploitative. (December 2007)
5
Some of my friends and people in the art world, including women, say they admire my body. I am proud of my body. Some compare it to the Chola bronzes. And they all wonder how I keep myself so fit. (December 2007)
6
The best part of modeling was traveling and increasing my knowledge of world cultures. (December 2007)
7
"I write cookbooks and I'm an actress - two things that aren't always compatible, at least for the waistline." (2007)
8
"In India and Italy, where I lived for a long time, we like healthier, more voluptuous types." (2007)
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Fact
1
Was in a 6-month relationship with Richard Gere during October, 2014.
2
Release of her cookbook, "Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day". [2007]
3
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 39, a daughter Krishna Thea Lakshmi (now Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell) on February 20, 2010. Child's father is her ex-boyfriend, Adam Dell.
4
At first tried to conceal the identity of the father of her daughter Krishna, but it was later revealed that Adam Dell, with whom Lakshmi had a short relationship, was the father of the baby.
5
Has battled endometriosis for many years.
6
Appeared with Rocco DiSpirito on an episode of Top Chef (2006). They both have lived in the same apartment building in Manhattan, located at 415 E. 37th Street.
7
Is the first Indian woman to be a guest on and co-host on the TV show The View (1997) in 2007.
8
Ranked #87 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.
9
Listed in People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful issue. (May 7, 2007).
10
Wore a Luca Luca purple sari in her April 2004 wedding to Salman Rushdie.
11
Attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
12
Was discovered by a photographer while spending part of her senior year studying in Spain and he convinced her to begin modeling.
13
Officially announced engagement to author Salman Rushdie on February 14, 2004, the 15th anniversary of the infamous fatwa issued against Rushdie by Islamic radicals for writing the novel "The Satanic Verses".
14
Hosted "Padma's Passport" on the Food Network based on her popular cookbook, "Easy Exotic: A Model's Low-fat Recipes From Around The World".
15
Has a seven inch scar on her right arm as a result of a major auto crash that she was in as a child.
$20 Million
$50 Thousand Per Episode
