Padma Lakshmi has gone public with her feelings for U.S. billionaire Teddy Forstmann after declaring him "the person that I love" during a charity fundraiser on Thursday (20May10).
The Indian-born model, actress and TV chef was the guest of honour at The Endometriosis Foundation of America's Blossom Ball at the New York Public Library and gave an emotional speech detailing her own struggle with the medical condition and her delight at falling pregnant last year (09).
Lakshmi, 39, announced she was expecting her first child in October (09), branding the pregnancy a "medical miracle" after years of struggling with endometriosis, in which the lining of the uterus grows in other areas of the body.
She gave birth to daughter Krishna in February (10) and she publicly thanked Forstmann for supporting her throughout the pregnancy at the Blossom Ball, acknowledging their romance for the first time.
According to the New York Post, Lakshmi told the audience, "I am lucky to have someone who unwaveringly gave me love and manly support - and is also the person that I love. So thank you, Teddy."
The beauty, who has repeatedly refused to name the father of the baby, has been linked to Forstmann for months and he was initially rumoured to be the child's dad.
However, more recent reports suggest venture capitalist Michael Dell fathered Lakshmi's tot.
She divorced famed author Rushdie in 2007.
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