Padma Lakshmi arriving at the Conde Nast Media Group Black Ball held in the Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City. (09 Nov 2006). Photo Credit: Janet Mayer / Splash NewsNew York, July 17 (ANI): Rumors are abuzz that author Sir Salman Rushdie’s estranged wife, TV host Padma Lakshmi has a new man in her life, and that he’s none other than American billionaire Ted Forstmann who once courted Elizabeth Hurley and Princess Diana.
While reps for Lakshmi and Forstmann insist that the reason the two have been spending so much time in each other’s company in recent months is because she had become a client of Forstmann's sports and entertainment marketing giant - International Management Group (IMG), the rumors still persist.
IMG is now due to announce a slate of endorsement and licensing projects for Lakshmi.
"IMG is global, and so is Padma's appeal. It's a good marriage," the Daily News quoted an insider, as saying.
Another industry source admitted that it was a ‘little odd’ that Frostmann was taking such interest in Lakshmi.
"(It’s) a little odd that Teddy is taking such an interest in Padma's career. It's not the side of the business he usually focuses on," the source said.
Rumors first started when the two attended the Elie Wiesel Foundation tribute to Oprah Winfrey at the Waldorf together in May. On that occasion when they were snapped together, Lakshmi asked the photog to delete the image – saying that the snap was blurry. Though she agreed to pose for him again, it was without Frostmann this time.
The 67-year old tycoon told author Tina Brown that Princess Diana "had the idea that we should get married, that I should run for President and she would be First Lady."
The claim comes in the new book, "The Diana Chronicles". (ANI)