Padma Parvati Lakshmi, also known as Padma Lakshmi gained prominence in the media for hosting the Bravo TV cooking competition television series, Top Chef. Lakshmi is an American television host, model, commentator, and an author. As an author, she’s best known for writing Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir (2016) and Padma’s All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes (2021).
She’s a creator, producer, host, and commentator of a Hulu docuseries, Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi. For her amazing work as a host, she has received over 16 Primetime Emmy Awards nomination. Before becoming a television personality, she worked as a model for a short period of time. In 2023, she was listed in Time’s 100 most influential people in the world.
Early Life & Education
Padma Lakshmi was born on September 1, 1970, in Chennai, India, to Vijaya Lakshmi and Vaidyanathan. After her parents divorced as a child, she immigrated to the United States, where she initially lived with her maternal grandparents. After two years living in the States, she reunited with her mother Vijaya in America who raised her in Queens, New York.
She finished her high school education from Workman High School. Later, she enrolled in Clark University, where she received her Bachelor degree in Theatre Arts and American Literature.
Quick Summary:
Profession: Telvision host, Commentator, Host, Author, and Model
Debut: While studying in Madrid, she was discovered by a modeling agent at the age of 21.
Birthday: September 1, 1970
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m or 175 cm)
Net Worth: $40 million
Amazing Fact: In 1997, she served as a host in an Italian program named Domenica In.
Padma Lakshmi Personal Details:
Age: 55 years
Birthplace: Chennai, India
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: Indian
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Black
Body Measurements: 34-32-36
Body Shape: Hourglass
Weight: 66 kg (146 lbs)
Padma Lakshmi Relationship & Family Details:
Relationship Status: Single
Boyfriend: Adam R. Dell (ex)
Children: Krishna Thea Lakshmi (Daughter born on February 2010)
Mother: Vijaya Lakshmi
Father: Vaidyanathan
Career Highlights & Spotlight
Modeling Career: At the age of 21, she began out her modeling career when she was discovered by an agent. She has done modeling for famous designers like Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Alberta Ferretti. In recent years, she was featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2023.
Rise to Popularity & Breakthroughs: Although, her modeling career was becoming a source of income for her, but it didn’t give much popularity to her. In 2001, she hosted the Food Network series, Padma’s Passport. The biggest breakthrough of her professional career came when she hosted and served as a judge on Top Chef. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Spotlight: She’s currently in the spotlight because of her books, television appearances, modeling, and social media. Across the social media, she’s highly prominent on Instagram and posts her regular lifestyle photos here.
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Padma Lakshmi Net Worth
She is an American television host, model, and commentator. She is also the author of various cooking and food books. Most importantly, she’s highly relevant because of her massive social media popularity. All of this has helped her in accumulating a tremendous wealth and assets. Presently, Lakshmi has a net worth of around $40 million.

Primary Sources of Her Income
Out of all of her sources of income, being a television personality probably top the list. She’s also a successful cookbook author and a host. Modeling was her first ever source of income and till to this day is. She’s also a successful businesswoman.
How Much Does She Make?
She’s currently making anywhere from $1 million to $2 million annually. The majority of the months of the year, she makes well over six figures.
Padma Lakshmi Boyfriend
Lakshmi’s current relationship status is single. Previously, she was in a relationship with an American businessman, Adam R. Dell, and have one daughter with him named Krishna Lakshmi-Dell.
Currently, she lives in New York City. She lives a balanced motherhood and career life.
