Padma Lakshmi spends the day with daughter Krishna before slipping on a sari for charity ball

By Daily Mail Reporter


Precious cargo: Padma Lakshmi carries her daughter, Krishna Thea, as they leave a lunch date at Da Silvano in New York


Padma Lakshmi brought new meanings to the words yummy mummy as she headed about her business today.

After a relaxing lunch date, her baby daughter Krishna carried in a sling around her chest, she then pulled on a colourful sari to head to a charity ball.

The Top Chef presenter had started the day out and about in New York, dressed stylishly in a military-inspired jacket, jeans and boots.


The 40-year-old former model appeared happy and relaxed, her daughter smiling as they caught up with friends.

In the evening Krishna stayed tucked up in bed at home, as Padma mixed with Susan Sarandon and Bridget Moynahan at the Endometriosis Foundation of America's Blossom Ball at the New York Public Library.

But despite her relaxed appearance, Padma is currently engaged in a custody battle with her daughter's father.

Working mummy: Padma carries her daughter as she catches up with phone calls on her cell after her lunch date


Adam Dell, the brother of computer giant founder Michael Dell, filed a lawsuit seeking full custody earlier this year.

He is also seeking to have his name added to the birth certificate as the legal father - and to also force Krishna to take his surname along with Lakshmi.

His legal bid is said to have been sparked because he is unhappy with the seven hours a week he is currently allowed to spend with his daughter.

He was reportedly frustrated at attempts to negotiate with his former partner for more time so took the matter to court.

Night out: After her busy day Padma attended the Endometriosis Foundation of America's Blossom Ball at the New York Public Library


Padma is said to be currently in a relationship with 70-year-old IMG boss Ted Forstmann who is reportedly the father figure in Krishna's life.

The elderly billionaire has been listed on the Forbes 400 List of Richest Americans.

Dell claimed that the former supermodel launched a cruel attack on him during a phone call in September 2009 where she told him she was pregnant but then added that she desperately hoped it was not his and wished it was her other lover's child.

Celebrity friends: Padma poses with actress Susan Sarandon, and actress Bridget Moynahan


He claimed that Lakshmi's career gets in the way of her being a good mother and he 'is the parent who can be relied upon to put Krishna's needs before his own', his lawsuit said.

His legal papers added that the sultry TV star's 'career as a television personality and her commitment to celebrity status involve a hectic, irregular schedule and requires frequent and distant travel'.

The couple dated for two years before they split in September 2009. Padma claimed that he was 'unambitious and uninteresting', according to court documents.


Source : dailymail