Who is Adam Dell, venture capitalist and Padma Lakshmi’s ex? Michael Dell’s brother has a complex past – and a daughter – with his Top Chef ex, and sold his NYC home to a Getty heiress

Mar 15 , 2025

Venture capitalist Adam Dell, pictured in New York, in 2001. Photo: Getty Images

The pair dated in 2009 and when Lakshmi had a daughter in 2010, she refused to reveal her paternity – that and custody were eventually settled, and a brief reconciliation followed

He has one of the most recognisable surnames in the world, but most people probably don’t know who Adam Dell is.

Brother of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell, 55-year-old Adam has carved out his own niche as a prominent businessman in the tech and finance industries.

But it was his high-profile relationship with TV star and former Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, 54, that put him firmly in the spotlight. The two have had a tumultuous relationship that has involved disputed paternity over their child and intense custody battles, reports People. But they seem to have worked things out and now co-parent comfortably.

What else do we know about the elusive Adam Dell?

Dell has forged a path in business

Adam Dell attending a dinner in Washington, in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

Dell started his career as a corporate lawyer in Austin, Texas, before eventually becoming a venture capitalist. He founded Impact Venture Partners in New York in 2000 and later became a Venture Partner at Austin Ventures, according to his biography. Down the years he has invested in technology companies including OpenTable, Buzzsaw and Hotjobs.com, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2002. Dell also launched financial apps Domain Money and Clarity Money, which was later acquired by Goldman Sachs, per Forbes.

As a venture capitalist with so many business projects and investments under his belt, it’s no surprise Dell has an impressive, estimated fortune of US$200 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.

He featured in an awkward video scandal

Adam Dell in New York, in January 2024. Photo: Getty Images

Dell joined Goldman Sachs as a partner in 2018 when the Wall Street bank acquired his Clarity Money app. However, a scandal erupted during the pandemic in 2020, when Dell accidentally sent a sexually explicit recording of himself in a work-related video to a female junior team member, per The Sydney Morning Herald.