Biography of Martha Stewart: Life and Career

Biography of Martha Stewart

She has turned perfectionism in the home into a worldwide media empire. Learn more about the life and career of Martha Stewart.

Early Years

Martha Helen Kostyra was born August 3rd, 1941 in New Jersey. Her Polish-American upbringing was filled with cooking, sewing, gardening and other traditional pursuits. She started a moderately successful modeling career at age 13, and ultimately won a partial scholarship to attend Barnard College in New York due to her good grades.

School and Early Career

Stewart eventually earned a double degree in History and Architectural History. Eventually, she cultivated a talent in business and worked as a stockbroker between 1967 and ’72.

First Creative Successes

Soon after, she and her family moved to an old farmhouse in Connecticut. She undertook the restoration of that house, and during that time she discovered her penchant for decorating. By the late 1970s, she started a thriving catering service. This led to a chance encounter with a book publisher who was impressed with her skills, and offered her a book deal. In 1982, Martha Stewart “Entertaining” was released, and launched this domestic goddess’ empire. In fact, that book became the best-selling cookbook since Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”

Popular Books

Stewart became famous for her labor-intensive recipes and craft projects. Throughout the remainder of the ‘80s she released other popular books, including “Martha Stewart's Hors D'oeuvres,” “Weddings” and “Martha Stewart’s Christmas.”

Martha Stewart Living

In 1990, the first edition of Martha Stewart Living Magazine was released, with Stewart acting as the magazine’s editor-in-chief and lifestyle guru. Three years later, Stewart launched a weekly television series that brought her magazine to life, and that was quickly expanded to a daily program, accompanied by various network holiday specials.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Martha Stewart’s lifestyle empire was growing rapidly, and in 1997 she created Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia by consolidating her various creative media ventures. She became chairwoman, president and CEO, and this move solidified the Martha Stewart brand even further.

Martha Goes Public

Stewart was briefly made a billionaire when Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1999, though she has remained a majority shareholder.

Insider Trading Scandal

Stewart’s star lost some of its shine after she was accused of insider trading at the end of 2001. Stewart allegedly sold hundreds of shares of ImClone Systems stock one day before news was made public that the company’s new cancer drug had not been approved by the FDA. After much media attention and scrutiny, Stewart was formally charged. This prompted her to step down as CEO of her company, ahead of her trial. In March 2004 she was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements.

Jail Time and Comeback

A few months later she was sentenced to five months in a minimum security prison and a $30 thousand fine. She served an additional five months of house arrest at her home in New York. Shortly before her release, NBC revealed that Stewart would star in two new shows on the network starting in 2005. She appeared in a spin-off of Donald Trump’s “Apprentice” and she launched a new daytime talk show which was the beginning of her much publicized comeback.

The Martha Stewart Brand Expands

She also began releasing a number of new books, and expanded her brand even further with houseware and product lines at various department stores. In 2010, “The Martha Stewart Show” moved from syndication to the Hallmark Channel, and the next year she introduced another new show on that channel, called “Martha Bakes.”

Legacy

Martha Stewart has been a magnet for criticism throughout her career: many have felt she set an unrealistic example for working mothers, and that her ideal of perfectionism in the home was a step backward. However, her shrewd business sense, unparalleled work ethic and talent for decorating have garnered her an ultra loyal following. And that’s a “good thing.”