Padma Lakshmi turns 52 with a bikini photo

Padma Lakshmi feels happy to be 52 years old.

The longtime « Top Chef » host celebrated her birthday with a throwback photo from her vacation in Hawaii in April, share a great swimsuit shot on Twitter with the caption « It’s 52 ».

Dressed in a crown of pink and white flowers, Lakshmi rocked a black string bikini as she posed by the water for the photo, which drew plenty of attention from her adoring fans.

« Stunning. Stunning. Goddess, » a subscriber commentedwhile another wrote« Lovely as always! Honestly, I didn’t look so good even at 22, so more power to you beautiful woman!

« 52 the new 25, » another added.

The ‘Tomatoes for Neela’ author often shares swimsuit snaps on social media – like in 2019, when she pointed out that she doesn’t use filters or Facetune on her bikini body, and two years ago, when she marked her new decade with a series of bikini snaps with her ex Adam Dell.

Her birthday celebrations follow a difficult month for the star; Lakshmi’s ex-husband, Salman Rushdie, was stabbed in a shocking attack at a New York literary event on August 12.

« Relieved @SalmanRushdie is doing fine after Friday’s nightmare, » she said. tweeted two days later. “Worried and mute, can finally exhale. Now let’s hope for a quick recovery.

Indeed, it’s been « a full year of ups and downs, » as Lakshmi wrote in an Instagram post marking her birthday.

Writing that she was « over the moon » about filming « Taste the Nation » Season 2, in addition to winning her first James Beard Foundation Award and three Critics’ Choice Awards, the TV personality also took the time to address some of the saddest times – such as the loss of his grandmother as well as his friend Arthur Chadbourne.

Despite her losses, Lakshmi ended her post on a high note, writing that she has « so many blessings to count, » including her daughter, Krishna, who she calls « Littlehands » on social media.

« Littlehands continues to thrive and we are both happy, healthy and productive, » she wrote. « This anniversary makes me feel happy and grateful, even if it’s with a bit of a heavy heart. »