Biography of Padma Lakshmi
Born in Madras, Indian, on September 1, 1970, Padma Lakshmi spent most of her adolescence in the United States. From a very young age, Padma knew she was beautiful. In fact, she recalls having worn her first seductive dress at only 9 years old. It was always her dream to be a model. Her mother, however, insisted that Padma get a college degree first, telling her that if she was beautiful at 17, she'd be beautiful at 21 with a degree in hand.
Around that time, Padma Lakshmi got into a serious car accident, which left a seven-inch scar on her right arm. This would become her signature feature -- that curious imperfection that makes her all the more lovely and exotic.
padma lakshmi pens easy exotic
Padma Lakshmi attended Clark University in Massachusetts and got a bachelor's degree in theater arts. Her last semester of college was spent in Spain, where she landed her first modeling job. She also caught the attention of Helmut Newton, a photographer notorious for his stylish female nudes. Giant fashion mags like Vogue, Elle and Glamour rushed to get her decadent body in their pages as well.
After graduating, Padma Lakshmi moved to Italy for a few years, where she cohosted the TV show Domenica in Rai. She also trekked across the international runways for such labels as Versace, Armani and Ralph Lauren. While trotting the globe, Padma Lakshmi, an unabashed foodie, picked up and compiled low-fat recipes from every imaginable country. Her amassed culinary adventures culminated in Easy Exotic: A Model's Low-Fat Recipes from Around the World, a cookbook that became a bestseller.
padma lakshmi in glitter
Padma Lakshmi's frequent returns to her subcontinent home resulted in her starring in two Bollywood films, Caribbeans and Sandokan: The Darkness and the Light. She became so recognized in India that American studios tried to capitalize on her talents. She was cast as Sylk in the 2001 box-office bomb Glitter, starring Mariah Carey. That same year, she guest-starred in an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise.
In 2003, Padma Lakshmi starred in her biggest Bollywood flick yet: Boom, a story of three Indian supermodels caught in a diamond heist. Sadly, this movie tanked as well. But box-office success (or the lack thereof) proved no hindrance to the model's love life. Padma Lakshmi started dating Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie, with whom she created a cinematic partnership and would go on to marry in 2004, then later divorce in 2007.
padma lakshmi hosts padma's passport
Padma Lakshmir's first cookbook, Easy Exotic, did so well that she was offered her own cooking show on the Food Network, The Melting Pot -- Padma's Passport, in 2001. Since then, her popularity with foodies everywhere has soared, and Padma has also hosted a documentary series (about food around the world, naturally) called Planet Food, and most notably Top Chef (2006), on which she is a judge and host, and which has become a top-rated cooking show on Bravo.
padma lakshmi in the mistress of spices
Padma Lakshmi's talent isn't limited to behind the cooking counter on reality TV, as her acting past as proven. In 2005, Padma starred in The Mistress of Spices alongside Aishwarya Rai and Dylan McDermott.
Despite her love for the big screen, Padma Lakshmi returned to television in 2006 with a role as Moses' mother in The Ten Commandments and Sharpe's Challenge, a miniseries set in India shortly after the times of Napoleon and right in the midst of British rule. While the miniseries was English-language, Padma was able to appeal to her Indian audience as well, dealing with a location and history she knew well.
Padma Lakshmi's first cookbook, Easy Exotic, sold so well that the Food Network gave her her own show in which she travels the world tasting the most exotic dishes imaginable. Meanwhile, Padma created her own film production company, Lakshmi Productions. Her first film is reported to be based on a short story by the love-stricken 56-year-old Rushdie, The Firebird's Nest. In addition to releasing her second cookbook, Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet, in 2007, and divorcing her husband. Upon hearing of her position on this list, Padma said, "Thanks to all those who voted for me!"
Education
Lakshmi is a 1992 graduate of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, where she received a B.A. with honors in Theatre Arts. Lakshmi was brought up as a vegetarian and has admitted that because of this, she sometimes becomes "squeamish" when sampling other cultural delicacies.
Awards
Lakshmi was named number 66 on AskMen.com's "The Top Most Desirable Women of 2008" list.
