Padma Lakshmi
Born 1970 · Age 55
Indian-American model, author, television host, producer, businesswoman and activist best known as host and executive producer of Top Chef and creator/host of Taste the Nation.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Madras (Chennai), India
Padma Parvati Lakshmi Vaidynathan was born in Madras (now Chennai), India.
Parents separate
Lakshmi's parents separated (mother Vijaya Lakshmi later emigrated to the U.S.).
Parents divorce; mother emigrates to U.S.
Her parents divorced; her mother immigrated to the United States alone; Padma remained with maternal grandparents initially.
Joins mother in the United States (moves to New York City)
Lakshmi moved to New York City to join her mother, who had emigrated earlier.
Severe car accident in Malibu; major injuries and scar
Two days after hospital discharge she was in a car accident that fractured her right hip and shattered her right upper arm; left a seven-inch scar.
Hospitalized for Stevens–Johnson syndrome
At age 14 she was hospitalized three weeks and diagnosed with Stevens–Johnson syndrome.
High school graduation
Graduated from William Workman High School in the City of Industry, California.
Discovered by modeling agent in Madrid (start of modeling career)
While studying abroad in Madrid she was discovered by a model booker and began modeling professionally (start of international modeling career).
Graduated Clark University (BA)
Earned a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts and American Literature from Clark University.
Began modeling internationally (Paris, Milan, New York)
Worked as a runway and editorial model for many major designers, becoming described as the first successful Indian model in major fashion capitals.
Appeared in documentary 'Unzipped'
Film appearance (documentary) credit: Unzipped (1995).
Hosted Domenica In (Italy)
Served as a co-host on the high-rated Italian variety/talk show Domenica In, her first major TV hosting role.
Published first cookbook 'Easy Exotic'
Released Easy Exotic: A Model's Low-Fat Recipes From Around the World.
Won Gourmand World Cookbook Award (Best First Book)
Easy Exotic won Best First Book at the 1999 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Versailles.
Modeled for top designers and photographers
Worked for Emanuel Ungaro, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Ralph Lauren, Alberta Ferretti; shot by Helmut Newton and Mario Testino; appeared on many magazine covers.
Small film role in 'Glitter'
Appeared as Sylk (a lip-synching disco singer) in the film Glitter starring Mariah Carey.
Hosted 'Padma's Passport' (Food Network) and 'Planet Food' specials
Hosted Padma's Passport (part of Melting Pot) and two Planet Food specials exploring regional cuisines.
TV guest role in Star Trek: Enterprise
Appeared as alien princess Kaitaama in the episode 'Precious Cargo.'
Starred in Bollywood film 'Boom'
Acted in the Bollywood film Boom alongside Katrina Kaif and others.
Married Salman Rushdie
After living together about five years, Lakshmi and novelist Salman Rushdie married.
Role in 'The Mistress of Spices'
Portrayed Geeta in Paul Mayeda Berges's film The Mistress of Spices.
Diagnosed with endometriosis
Was diagnosed with endometriosis (she has said the disease had been present since adolescence).
Joined 'Top Chef' as host and judge (season 2)
Became host and judge of Top Chef (also an executive producer), a role that brought widespread recognition.
Appeared on Newsweek cover (The New India)
Featured on Newsweek's cover illustrating 'The New India'.
Filed for divorce from Salman Rushdie
Lakshmi asked for a divorce in January 2007; the couple filed in July 2007.
Named in People magazine's '100 Most Beautiful People'
Featured in People magazine's annual list (2007).
Published cookbook 'Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet'
Release of her second cookbook, Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day.
Launched ENPOWR education program (EndoFound initiative)
EndoFound launched ENPOWR to educate teens about endometriosis (program later reported to have educated over 32,000 students).
Primetime Emmy nomination (Outstanding Host) for Top Chef
Nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program (2009).
Posed nude for Allure magazine
Posed nude for the May 2009 issue of Allure.
Co-founded Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound)
Co-founded the nonprofit with Dr. Tamer Seckin to raise awareness, fund research and advocate for patients.
Delivered speeches at medical conferences and fundraisers (e.g., Blossom Ball)
Regularly gave keynote addresses and fundraising speeches in support of EndoFound and women's health initiatives.
Keynote at MIT Center for Gynepathology Research opening
EndoFound helped open MIT Center for Gynepathology Research and Lakshmi delivered the keynote address.
Reconnecting with estranged father (publicly noted)
Around 2007–2010 period she publicly reconnected with her father (a former Pfizer executive) after years of estrangement.
Birth of daughter
Gave birth to her daughter with businessman Adam Dell.
Profiled by Clark University and recognized as notable alum
Featured in Clark University publications as a prominent alum and public figure.
Public revelations about sexual assault (wrote in 2018 NYT essay about events at 16)
In a 2018 NYT essay she revealed she had been raped at age 16 and that she had earlier been molested at age seven; those experiences shaped her later advocacy.
Guest appearance on 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' and 'Royal Pains'
Television guest roles including improv and cameo appearances.
Contributor to The View (Season 19)
Served as an official contributor for season 19 (2015–2016) of ABC's The View.
Received Ellis Island Medal of Honor (NECO)
Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations.
Published memoir 'Love, Loss and What We Ate'
Released her memoir on International Women's Day; it became a New York Times bestseller.
Published 'The Encyclopedia of Spices & Herbs'
Released a culinary reference book, The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs.
Public criticism helps pressure cosmetics companies on skin lighteners
Spoke out against skin-lightening creams; her criticism was part of broader pressure that led some companies to retreat from marketing such products.
Received Karma Award from Variety
Honored with Variety's Karma Award in recognition of philanthropic and advocacy work.
MAC Cosmetics collaboration 'MAC Padma' (capsule collection)
Collaborated with MAC Cosmetics on a worldwide capsule makeup collection which sold out in the U.S. and India.
Appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador
Named a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness of inequality and sustainable development.
Taste the Nation earned critical acclaim (Rotten Tomatoes 100%)
Taste the Nation received universal critical acclaim and scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for season 1.
Primetime Emmy nominations (2020–2022) for hosting/producing
Nominated for multiple Emmy awards (Outstanding Host and Outstanding Competition Program) in 2020–2022 for Top Chef and Taste the Nation.
Critics' Choice Awards wins for 'Top Chef'
Won three Critics' Choice Awards for Top Chef in 2020 (she accepted awards for Top Chef).
Premiered 'Taste the Nation' on Hulu
Created, hosted, and executive produced the docuseries Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi; series premiered June 18, 2020.
Hulu released 'Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition' (4-episode special)
A four-episode special holiday edition of Taste the Nation was released in 2021.
Guest edited 'The Best American Travel Writing 2021'
Served as guest editor for The Best American Travel Writing 2021 anthology.
Published children's book 'Tomatoes for Neela'
Released Tomatoes for Neela on August 31, 2021; illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal; debuted #4 on NYT bestseller list.
Received UNCA Advocate of the Year Award
Won the Advocate of the Year Award from the United Nations Correspondents Association in December 2021.
James Beard Foundation Award for 'Taste the Nation: Holiday Edition'
Won a James Beard Foundation Award (Visual Media – Long Form) in June 2022.
Accepted Critics Choice Real TV Awards on behalf of Top Chef
In 2022 she accepted multiple Critics Choice Real TV Awards (Best Culinary Show, Best Competition Series, and Best Show Host on behalf of Top Chef).
Honored by Carnegie Corporation (Great Immigrant Award)
Recognized by the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Great Immigrant Award program.
Honored at ACLU's Sing Out For Freedom benefit
Honored at the 20th edition of the ACLU's Sing Out For Freedom benefit concert (Oct 2022).
Accumulated 16 Primetime Emmy nominations (cumulative)
By 2023 she had received a total of 16 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on Top Chef and Taste the Nation (host and executive producer roles).
Appeared in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
At age 53, appeared in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Departed 'Top Chef' after 20 seasons
Stepped down as host and executive producer of Bravo's Top Chef following its twentieth season (2023).
Listed in Time's 100 Most Influential People
Named to Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world (2023).
Visiting scholar at MIT; received ICON Award from Boston University
Named a visiting scholar at MIT and received the ICON Award from Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration.
Launched 'Padma X Bare Necessities' lingerie collaboration
Launched a lingerie collaboration with Bare Necessities in June 2024 called Padma X Bare Necessities.
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