Padma Lakshmi

As a former high-fashion model, Padma Lakshmi made her mark strutting down runways in the 1990s for such haute couturiers as Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Alberta Ferretti. The onetime wife of controversial novelist Salman Rushdie – author of 1988’s controversial The Satanic Verses – Lakshmi was also a best-selling author in her own right. Her first book, the award-winning, Easy Exotic: A Model’s Low-fat Recipes from Around the World (1999) sold extremely well, winning her accolades from the culinary world. A popular television personality to boot, Lakshmi also appeared on a number of programs – usually, as her glamorous self. Given her areas of expertise, it was only a matter of time before Lakshmi was hired to host her own cooking show. Her first program, “Padma’s Passport” (Food Network, 2005-06) led to her next gig as host of cable’s top-rated competitive reality program, “Top Chef” (Bravo, 2005- ).

Born in Madras, India, in 1970, Lakshmi was the daughter of an Indian father and a European mother. Named after the Sanskrit word for “lotus,” Padma shared her surname with Lakshmi, the revered Hindu goddess of prosperity. Exceedingly beautiful as a child, Lakshmi was a favorite of her relatives, particularly, her grandparents. Still, Lakshmi was taught from early on that a proper Indian wife’s greatest asset should be not her beauty, but her skills in the kitchen. It was a lesson that Lakshmi would obviously take to heart and one which would inform her later life. The happiness of her childhood was interrupted when, in 1984, 14-year-old Lakshmi was involved in a serious automobile accident, causing an injury to her right arm that required surgery, leaving a 7-inch scar between her elbow and shoulder. Although some might have let such a visible injury alter their career plans – particularly those of a model/actress – Lakshmi forged ahead, making peace with the scar; in time, even proudly showing it off. It would become her signature feature.

Breaking into acting while modeling in Europe, Lakshmi appeared in a number of popular Italian series, including the comedy program, "Linda e il Brigadiere" (Italia-1, 1997-96). In 2001, Lakshmi landed a supporting role in her first American release, the much-panned “Glitter,” starring pop songstress Mariah Carey. Quickly putting that unfortunate bit of resume fluff behind her, Lakshmi continued collecting credits in showier roles. In 2002, Lakshmi became a darling of sci-fi geeks the world over when she guested as an exotic alien princess in an episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise” (UPN, 2001-05). Lakshmi also landed a supporting role in the blockbuster Bollywood drama, “The Mistress of Spices” (2005) starring Aishwarya Rai and Dylan McDermott. With her career on a roll, Lakshmi popped up again in 2006 opposite Dougray Scott, Naveen Andrews and Omar Sharif for the U.S. miniseries adaptation of “The Ten Commandments” on ABC.

But it would be Lakshmi’s first great passion – cooking – that would kick her career into high gear. When Lakshmi’s first book, Easy Exotic , was awarded Best First Book at the 1999 World Cookbook Awards in Versailles, it launched Lakshmi’s career into unexpected new territory. In 2001, the former model got her own show, “Padma's Passport,” which was part of the Food Network’s popular “Melting Pot” series. Lakshmi was later tapped to replace Katie Lee Joel, wife of singer Billy Joel, as host of the second season of Bravo’s runaway hit reality cooking show, “Top Chef.” She immediately took the reigns and became the show’s most visible star, which earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host For a Reality or Reality-Competition Program in 2009.