They've both led illustrious romantic lives.

Padma Lakshmi, recently separated from Sir Salman Rushdie, has been seeing a lot of billionaire Ted Forstmann.

Forstmann, 67, previously linked to Princess Diana and actor Elizabeth Hurley, owns International Management Group - linking him to Lakshmi via the cookery show she hosts, Top Chef.

The New York Daily News, reporting on the link-up, says that representatives of both parties maintain this is a simple working relationship.

Apparently, Lakshmi, 36, has been cagey about being photographed with Forstmann.

The paper quotes Forstmann in Tina Brown's book, The Diana Chronicles, saying Princess Di 'had the idea that we should get married, that I should run for President and she would be First Lady.' But, he added, 'The romance never really got off the ground. We ended up in the right place -- friends.'

The Satanic Verses he might not write, but you could definitely do worse than a billionaire.

Photographs: Getty Images