He is seven years older than my father Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi

On April 17, 2004, in New York City, Lakshmi married the novelist Salman Rushdie, to whom she was introduced at a party hosted by the journalist and editor Tina Brown. On July 2, 2007 the couple filed for divorce, shortly after Rushdie was granted a knighthood.[21] She is the model for one of the central characters — and love interests — in Rushdie's novel, Fury (a novel dedicated to her as well).

When questioned about Rushdie's age (he is seven years older than her father) and her long estrangement from her father (whom she has described as "the most sexy, manic, in-shape, lean, tall, handsome man I have ever met"), Lakshmi has said that there may be a correlation: “I think that we are attracted to what we feel we need."

padma Lakshmi's career began at age 20

padma Lakshmi

padma Lakshmi

padma Lakshmi

padma Lakshmi

padma Lakshmi

Lakshmi's career began at age 20, when she was discovered by a modeling agent in Spain while sitting in a café. As she has stated, “I was the first Indian model to have a career in Paris, Milan and New York. I’m the first one to admit that I was a novelty.” Despite Lakshmi's comment about her being a pioneer as a model of Indian descent, her career follows in the footsteps of Persis Khambatta, a former Miss India, who modeled for Revlon.

She has modelled for top designers such as Emanuel Ungaro, Ralph Lauren, and Alberta Ferretti and done ad campaigns for Roberto Cavalli and Versus.She was a favorite model of the photographer Helmut Newton, whose photographs of her often highlighted the large scar on her right arm.