Controversial author Sir Salman Rushdie is divorcing fourth wife Padma Lakshmi, according to reports on Tuesday.
The split comes just weeks after The Satanic Verses author was knighted.
A statement from his agent said, "Salman Rushdie has agreed to divorce his wife, Padma Lakshmi, because of her desire to end their marriage. He asks that the media respect his privacy at this difficult time."
The couple met at a magazine launch party in 1999 when Rushdie was still married to his third wife.
Indian-born Lakshmi, who is 24 years his junior, said of her husband, "I was taken with him before I could even admit it to myself. It seemed ridiculous, but we were falling in love."
Recently, the model and actress, 36, has made a name for herself hosting American reality TV show, Top Chef, and writing cookery books.
Her publicist said in a separate statement that Lakshmi "has agreed with her husband-author, Salman Rushdie, to end their marriage".
Rushdie's recent British knighthood led to worldwide protests from Muslims angered by his 1989 novel, The Satanic Verses.
The judges of the International Man Booker Prize recently issued a statement condemning the "appalling reaction" to his award.
The Satanic Verses led to Iran issuing a fatwa in 1989, ordering Rushdie's execution.
