Theodore “Teddy” Forstmann, the savvy billionaire romantically linked to “Top Chef” host
Theodore “Teddy” Forstmann, the savvy billionaire romantically linked to “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi, died of brain cancer on Sunday at 71.
Forstmann was the head of sports and modeling talent agency IMG among other business endeavors. He bought, sold and turned around dozens of companies including Gulfstream, Aerospace, Dr. Pepper and General Instrument.
Forstmann recently ranked No. 242 among America’s 400 Richest, grew up in a wealthy family in Greenwich, Conn., the grandson of a German-born wool magnate.
He founded Forstmann Little in 1978 with his brother Nicholas C. Forstmann and, as of 2011, his net worth was estimated at $1.8 billion.
Forstmann never married, though he’s been seen with Lakshmi on several occasions over the last several years.
Their relationship blew up in 2010 when Lakshmi, 41, gave birth to her now one-year-old daughter Krishna, leading to speculation over who fathered the child. Later, it was revealed that the father was venture capitalist Adam Dell, brother of Dell computer firm founder Michael Dell.
So sad! No wonder we haven’t seen them together on the red carpet recently!