The name Martha Stewart conjures visions of spotless kitchens and meticulous flower arrangements. Her unflagging ambition, savvy business skills and good taste catapulted her to fame. Though an insider trading scandal may have humbled her and delighted some critics, she appears ready to rebuild her empire, one soufflé at a time.
Martha Stewart’s Early Days
Martha Helen Kostyra was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 3, 1941, to Martha and Edward Kostyra, a teacher and salesman. Her father taught her gardening, carpentry and the art of public speaking, while her mother taught her cooking, baking and sewing. Her neighbors, a couple of former bakers, advanced Martha’s knowledge of pies and cakes. An entertainer from an early age, she organized children’s birthday parties for neighborhood families.
Martha began a modeling career at the age of 13. She attended Barnard, during which time she met and married her husband Andy Stewart, a Yale law student. She graduated from Barnard with an undergraduate degree in architecture and history. In 1965, she gave birth to a baby girl, Alexis, and quit modeling.
Sources in this Story
- Academy of Achievement: Martha Stewart
- Biography.com: Martha Stewart
- Time: A New Guru of American Taste?
- CNNMoney: Stewart found guilty on all counts in obstruction trial
- Good Housekeeping: Martha Stewart Comes Clean
- ABC News: Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg share behind the scenes look at 2nd season of ‘Potluck Dinner Party’
Stewart’s Notable Achievements
Stewart’s first experience of the high life came at her own engagement party, thrown by her sister-in-law. In her first book, “Entertaining,” she wrote, “I remember white damask cloths, silver candlesticks and a tiny crystal bell that tinkled after each course and whenever I dropped my napkin.”
In 1988, Time dubbed her “the guru of good taste.” She became K-mart’s “life-style” consultant, with her own line of linens and dishware. In 1990, Stewart launched the magazine Martha Stewart Living, which was developed into a show three years later.
The Rest of the Story
In 2001, Stewart sold her shares of ImClone stock just before the price plummeted, a decision which led to a March 2004 guilty conviction for obstruction of justice and lying to investigators.
Stewart was released after spending five months in jail. She returned to her home and her business. Two and a half years after she left prison, Good Housekeeping wrote, “Stewart has jump-started her stalled company and moved forward full-throttle into a rich, packed, larger-than-life life. ‘I was ready to go the moment I stepped out of Alderson [Federal Prison Camp],’ she says.”
Martha Stewart has also teamed up with rapper Snoop Dogg for a show on VH1 called “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party,” which was scheduled to begin its second season in 2017.
This article was originally written by Shannon Firth; it was updated July 5, 2017.
