Theodore "Teddy" Forstmann died Sunday aged 71. The veteran business leader and philanthropist, who was romantically linked to Padma Lakshmi passed away after battling cancer.

Forstmann’s spokesman reported that he was suffering from brain cancer, according to The New York Times.

He was in the media spotlight over the past few years after dating “Top Chef” host Lakshmi, 41; although they never married despite their close relationship.

The couple was previously rumored to have had together one-year-old daughter, Krishna, who was born in February 2010. However, intense media speculation surrounding her birth eventually revealed that venture capitalist Adam Dell was indeed the father and not Forstmann.

In the past Forstmann was also linked by some media outlets as in a relationship with Britain’s Princess Diana, however, those reports were never confirmed.

Forstmann will be remembered as an astute businessman, being connected with companies such as Dr. Pepper and Gulfstream Aerospace.

Follow us

He leaves behind two sons, Siya and Everest.