Top chef padma lakshmi biography filmography

Padma Lakshmi

TV presenter, actress and former model
Date of Birth: 01.09.1970
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Childhood and Early Life
  2. Modeling and Education
  3. Acting Career
  4. Culinary Arts and Television
  5. Personal Life

Childhood and Early Life

Padma Lakshmi was born on September 1, 1970, in Chennai, India. She was the only child of Vijaya Lakshmi, an oncologist, and Ashok Lakshmi, a pharmaceutical executive. Her parents divorced when she was just one year old, and she primarily grew up in the United States.

Modeling and Education

At the age of 14, Lakshmi survived a horrific car accident that left her with permanent scars on her right arm and hip. Despite these scars, her beauty and height (5 feet 10 inches) landed her a modeling deal with an agency in Spain. She became the first Indian model to walk the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York.

Lakshmi's academic achievements include a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from Clark University in Massachusetts, which she graduated from with honors in 1992.

Acting Career

Lakshmi's acting career began with uncredited cameos in Douglas Keeve's documentary "Unzipped" (1995) and the Italian television series "Il figlio di Sandokan" (1998). She rose to prominence in the romantic television series "Caraibi" (1999) and the Mariah Carey-led musical drama "Glitter" (2001).

Lakshmi's Bollywood debut came in 2003 with Kyaada Gustad's "Boom." She also appeared in the 2005 drama "Mistress of Spices," the historical television series "The Ten Commandments" (2006), and the British war television film "Sharpe's Challenge" (2006).

Culinary Arts and Television

In addition to her acting career, Lakshmi is a renowned cookbook author, having published "Easy Exotic" (1999) and "Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet" (2007). These books opened the door to her hosting appearances on culinary television shows around the world.

Lakshmi is also known for her tenure as host of "Top Chef" since 2006. She has appeared as a guest judge on "Project Runway" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show," among other shows.

Personal Life

Padma Lakshmi was married to renowned British-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie from 2004 to 2007. The marriage ended amidst controversy surrounding Rushdie's knighthood.

In 2009, Lakshmi announced her pregnancy. The identity of her daughter's father remains a mystery.