Padma Lakshmi Net Worth (2025)
Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED]
Share this article:
Bounce Mojo is a leading player of Celebrity News, Reviews, Entertainment and Top 10 of Everything. We sometimes use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on your purchase. Learn more…
What is Padma Lakshmi Net Worth?
Padma Lakshmi Net Worth, Biography & Lifestyle: Padma Lakshmi is an Indian-American cookbook author, television host, model, and activist. She’s best known as the host of ‘Top Chef” and for having a Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Host in 2009. Padma Lakshmi’s net worth is $40 million.
Not many people know that her net worth is a whopping $40 million! She’s making $50,000 per hosting gig!
Woah.
Today, let’s dive into Padma Lakshmi’s net worth and career as we uncover:
Table of Contents
After her decades-long work as the television host of “Top Chef,” Padma Lakshmi’’s become the unofficial face of the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program!
Since then, she’s used her platform to speak up about her heritage, women’s rights, and people of color.
(After reading about Padma Lakshmi Net Worth, bio, and career, make sure to check out our Fun Facts Section!)
Excited?
Let’s dig in!
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Net-Worth-5.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>| Padma Lakshmi Net Worth: $40 million |
| Date of Birth: September 1, 1970 |
| Children: Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell |
| Source of Wealth: Modeling career, Cookbook author, Television host & TV personality, Actress |
| Place Of Birth/ Nationality: Madras, Tamil Nadu, India (Indian) |
| Spouse/ Relationship Status: Salman Rushdie (m. 2004; div. 2007) Theodore J. Forstmann (2009–2011) Adam Dell (on-and-off-again boyfriend between 2010 to 2021) |
Padma Lakshmi is an author, model, and actress. She’s most popular for being the long-time host of the Outstanding Reality-Competition program, “Top Chef.”
She’s also made a guest appearance in other films and series in the US, India, UK, and Italy.
“Top Chef”
Since 2006, Lakshmi became a host and judge on the reality television program, “Top Chef.”
It’s amazing: From season two to 16, “Top Chef” consistently received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program!
In 2009, Lakshmi won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.
Catch your favorite “Top Chef” season on Amazon Prime.
Cookbook Author
In 1999, Lakshmi released her first cookbook, “Easy Exotic: A Model’s Low-Fat Recipes From Around the World.”
Since then, she’s authored books about food and international recipes, including a children’s book, a memoir, and three more cookbooks.
Check out Lakshmi’s best-selling books here!
Aside from her travel and food books, Padma also has a syndicated column in The New York Times, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar
Television and Film
Lakshmi’s first television show appearances were in Italian programs.
In 2000, she started hosting the India and Spain “Planet Food” specials for the Food Network. The next year, she hosted “Melting Pot: Padma’s Passport” on the Food Network.
She also became an official contributor for “The View” season 19. Lakshmi was also a celebrity contestant on “Drop the Mic” and a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
And it gets better.
In 2020, she started working on “Taste the Nation” as the executive producer!
Modeling Career
After being discovered by a modeling agent in Spain, Lakshmi modeled for internationally renowned designers, including Ralph Lauren, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Alberta Ferretti.
She knows how to own it:
“I was one of the first Indian models to have a career in Paris, Milan, and New York. I’m the first one to admit that I was a novelty.”
She also did ads for “Versus” and Roberto Cavalli.
Padma appeared on the cover of Vogue India, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, FHM, Newsweek, and Allure as well.
How Old Is Padma Lakshmi?
Padma Lakshmi is 54 years old.
How Tall Is Padma Lakshmi?
Padma Lakshmi is 5 ft 9 in (175cm) or 1.75 m tall and 146 lbs.
Other Quick Facts:
Padma Lakshmi Net Worth is $40 million from her work as a model, television host, author, actress. She also has her own line of jewelry, kitchenware, organic food, spices, and teas.
Padma Lakshmi Net Worth Year By Year
| Year | Earnings $ |
| 2011 | $19.9 million |
| 2012 | $21.7 million |
| 2013 | $23.2 million |
| 2014 | $27.2 million |
| 2015 | $29.1 million |
| 2016 | $31.8 million |
| 2017 | $33.4 million |
| 2018 | $35.7 million |
| 2019 | $37.3 million |
| 2020 | $40 million |
“Easy Exotic: Low-Fat Recipes from Around the World”
Lakshmi, an international model, shares her low-fat recipes, delicious and simple to prep!
“Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day”
Life lessons and delectable meals from around the world, all in one book!
“The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World”
Coupled with beautiful photography and rich imagery; An A to Z of herbs, spices, salts, and peppers from around the world
“Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir”
Lakshmi’s gripping memoir of food, family, and survival.
“The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World”
A beautiful illustration storybook that celebrates food and family.
Aside from her career in Hollywood, the multi-talented Lakshmi put her literature degree to good use!
She’s released five books, all well-received by the general public.
Lakshmi also ventured into design and lifestyle merchandise.
She’s passionate about her beautiful lifestyle brands “The Padma Collection” and “Easy Exotic.” Both brands help to spice up home decor and dining experiences.
In 2009, she released her first jewelry line, “Padma.”
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-01.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>Padma Lakshmi (born Padma Parvati Lakshmi Vaidynathan) was born in Madras, India, into a Tamil Brahmin family.
Her parents divorced when she was two years old.
Two years later, Lakshmi immigrated to the US with her mother. She grew up in New York City before finally settling in La Puente, CA with her mother and stepfather.
You won’t believe the traumatizing things she went through as a child. . .
She was bullied and endured racial aggression as a teenager.
There’s more. . .
When Padma was fourteen, she was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and was hospitalized for three weeks. Two days after she was released from the hospital, she got in a car accident and fractured her hip, and shattered her arm, leaving her a 7-inch-long scar.
It gets worse. . .
In her 2018 New York Times essay, she shared that she was raped by her older boyfriend when she was 16. It’s sad, she was afraid to speak out.
Here’s why: When she was seven years old, she was sexually assaulted by her stepfather’s friend. When she spoke up, she was sent to India to stay with her grandparents for a year.
There’s a bright side to this story: Though she experienced trauma at such a young age, Lakshmi was still able to attend Clark University and finish a degree in theatre arts and American literature.
Padma Lakshmi High School
Padma Lakshmi attended William Workman High School in California.
Padma Lakshmi Clark University
Padma Lakshmi graduated from Clark University with a degree in theatre arts and American literature.
She went to Madrid as part of an exchange program. This was where she was spotted by a modeling agent. Since then, she’s modeled for Ralph Lauren, Alberta Ferretti, Armani, and Versace.
Padma Lakshmi Personal Life & Relationships
Padma Lakshmi Ex-husband – Salman Rushdie
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-02.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>She was briefly married to Salman Rushdie from 2004 to 2007.
When Lakshmi married novelist Salman Rushdie, she began suffering from endometriosis. At one point, she had to undergo surgery.
In her memoir, “Love, Loss, and What We Ate, ”Lakshmi detailed her personal life and romantic relationship with Rushdie, which began to suffer during this time as she used her ailment as an excuse “not to have sex.”
Padma Lakshmi Ex-boyfriend – Theodore Forstmann
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-03.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>From 2009 to 2011, she dated billionaire and private equity investor Teddy Forstmann.
Padma conceived her daughter, Krishna Thea Lakshmi Dell, during a break in their relationship. It’s unclear who the father was.
Side note: The other potential baby daddy was venture capitalist Adam Dell.
In an interview with “Vanity Fair,” Forstmann revealed that he wanted to be the baby’s father, whether or not he and Padma were together. The only condition was that she shouldn’t reveal to the public or Dell who the real father was
He was “heartbroken” after “losing” the baby to Dell.
Forstman died in 2011 after battling brain cancer. He left $1.8 billion for Krishna.
Padma Lakshmi Ex-boyfriend – Adam Dell
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-04.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>After taking a paternity test for a 2012 lawsuit filing for child custody and visitation rights, Padma found that Krishna’s father was venture capitalist Adam Dell.
While Padma and Adam broke up in January 2021, the couple continues to co-parent Krishna. A source said,
“They are intent on staying the best of friends and remain like family.”
Padma Lakshmi Boyfriend – Terrance Hayes
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-05.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>In June 2021, the “Top Chef” star was spotted with a “mystery man” in NYC, who was seen kissing Lakshmi though she wore a face mask.
The man was later identified to be renowned MacArthur Fellow author and poet, Terrance Hayes.
Padma Lakshmi Daughter – Krishna Thea Lakshmi Dell
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-06.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>Padma and Adam continue to co-parent 14-year old daughter, Krishna Thea.
She shared some tender words for her beloved daughter on her 10th birthday:
“You make me a better woman because of your love and I am over the moon that I get to be your mom. I learn every day that love is deeper than any of us knows.”
Too sweet!
Padma Lakshmi Mother – Vijaya Lakshmi
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-07.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>Padma’s parents divorced when she was only two years old.
Her mother, an oncology nurse, raised her alone since her husband abandoned them.
Watch her interview about raising Padma as a single mom on the Today Show segment “Through Mother’s Eyes.”
According to Padma’s mom, her daughter’s “’She is like a woman I wanted to be.”
I’m not crying. You are.
We’re excited to give you the dish on how Padma spends her wealth! But before that, let’s take a look at her career milestones!
Season 18 Top Chef Winner Eric Erales faced backlash for “repeated’ instances of harassment against women in the workplace. He was fired from his executive chef position at restaurant “Comedor” in December 2020.
Lakshmi responded to the controversy on Twitter:
“As someone who has been sexually harassed, this topic is a serious one and merits openness. This should be investigated & the network should consider its best action.”
“Top Chef” also got involved in another scandal in its 12th season, when it employed a non-union film crew who wanted to protest against the abuse of the Massachusetts film tax credit.
Here’s what happened.
According to Lakshmi, the crew threatened her while she sat in her car by saying, “I’ll smash your pretty little face.” They also slashed the tires of the crew.
Yikes.
Aside from her stellar career as a reality show host and actress, Lakshmi’ also likes to release books under her name!
Lakshmi’s “The Padma Collection” features beautiful Moroccan ceramics and Turkish glassware while her business, the “Easy Exotic” offers a line of casual kitchenware as well as organic rice and specialty spices and teas.
As if that’s not enough…
…she also released a boho-inspired jewelry line for HSN in 2011.
No wonder, her net worth is ever-growing as she doesn’t only spend them in luxuries but in investments like these, too!
Padma Lakshmi House
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-08.webp" alt="Padma Lakshmi" ></a>Lakshmi lives in a $1.65 million loft on Second Street in New York City.
She brought life into the all-white apartment with an interesting blend of heritage and modernity.
Predictably, the “Top Chef” star went all-out on her kitchen, where she loves to come up with recipes.
Lakshmi even installed a huge island and bar top so all her friends and family can get together!
Fun fact: she installed a thoughtful “black granite” section on the island for relatives who eat purely vegetarian for Hindi religious reasons, “so they can feel comfortable eating in her house.”
Padma Lakshmi Handmade and Vintage Finds
Embed this image on your site!
<a href="https://bouncemojo.com"><img src="https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Padma-Lakshmi-09.webp" ></a>Her favorite thing about food’s that it can bring communities together! She loves to collect decorative pieces and home essentials that “support women of color.”
While she doesn’t believe in spending a lot of money to get great finds, she doesn’t pass up a chance to get her hands on organic and homemade pieces to make her home “cozy and inviting.”
She loves to collect ceramic dishware, terracotta pots, handmade bowls, and organic textiles on Etsy.
After being diagnosed with endometriosis at 36 years old, the Emmy Award-nominated for Outstanding Host used her platform to co-found “Endometriosis Foundation of America” which to “advance research, education, and legislative action” surrounding the disease.
She’s done so much more!
Lakshmi’s also active in speaking out about women’s rights and immigration policies with the “American Civil Liberties Union”.
She’s also a global ambassador for the nonprofit “Keep a Child Alive” as well as a Goodwill Ambassador for the “United Nations Development Programme.”
She’s a true superwoman!
- Believe that you’re a boss, and you’ll become one!
- Pursue your passions.
- Dare to make a statement.
- Never be unapologetic about your dreams
- Always follow your gut.
Top 3 Quotes From Padma Lakshmi
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Languages Does Padma Lakshmi Speak?
Padma Lakshmi speaks five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Spanish, and Italian.
Why Does Padma Lakshmi Have A Scar On Her Arm?
She was involved in a car accident when she was 14. The car flew off the freeway, and she was left with a seven-inch-long scar on her upper arm.
How does Padma Lakshmi stay fit?
Padma Lakshmi works out, five days a week for 90 minutes each day. When she can’t go to the gym, she jumps ropes or does a mat session. To stay fit, her go-to, favorite dish to prepare is a plant-based meal!
Conclusion: Padma Lakshmi Net Worth and Biography
What do you think of Lakshmi’s net worth and career?
We love seeing the stunning and multi-talented Lakshmi dominate the entertainment and food industry.
From her jaw-dropping travel and food shows to her admirable advocacies, Emmy Award-nominated host Padma Lakshmi is the embodiment of “Girl Boss!”
We hope you enjoyed this article. If you’re a fan of cooking shows, you’ll also love Gordon Ramsay’s net worth HERE. For more celebrity net worths, bios, and top lists, zip over to Bouncemojo.com.
Don’t forget to put that Bounce in your Mojo today!
![20+ Best James Charles Memes (2025) [Funniest Collection]](https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/James-Charles-Memes-FI-768x461.webp "20+ Best James Charles Memes ([currentyear]) <br> [Funniest Collection] 13")
![Young Thug Net Worth (2025)Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED]](https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Young-Thug-Net-Worth-FI-768x461.webp "Young Thug Net Worth ([currentyear])<br>Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED] 14")
![Kylie Jenner Astrology Birth Chart Horoscope [Visual Guide]](https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kylie-JennerZodiac-Sign-FI-768x461.jpg "Kylie Jenner Astrology Birth Chart <br>Horoscope [Visual Guide] 15")
![Al Roker Net Worth (2025)Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED]](https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Al-Roker-Net-Worth-FI-768x461.jpg "Al Roker Net Worth ([currentyear])<br>Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED] 16")
![Sebastian Ingrosso Net Worth (2025)Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED]](https://bouncemojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Sebastian-Ingrosso-Net-Worth-FI-768x461.webp "Sebastian Ingrosso Net Worth ([currentyear])<br>Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED] 17")