Early Life and Education of Martha Stewart: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Martha Stewart. A timeline of key moments.

Martha Stewart is an American businesswoman, writer, and television personality best known for founding Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Her company focuses on home and hospitality, building a vast empire through publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and e-commerce. She has authored numerous bestselling books, published Martha Stewart Living magazine, and hosted syndicated television programs such as 'Martha Stewart Living' and 'The Martha Stewart Show', making her a household name in the lifestyle and entertainment industries.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 3, 1941: Martha Stewart Born

On August 3, 1941, Martha Helen Stewart (née Kostyra) was born. She is an American retail business woman, writer, and television personality.

July 1961: Marriage to Andrew Stewart

In July 1961, Martha Stewart married Andrew Stewart, who had finished his law degree at Yale Law School.

1987: Separation from Andrew Stewart

In 1987, Andrew and Martha Stewart separated.

1990: Divorce from Andrew Stewart

In 1990, Martha Stewart and Andrew Stewart divorced.

December 27, 2001: Sale of ImClone Systems Stock

On December 27, 2001, Martha Stewart sold all 3,928 shares of her ImClone Systems stock after receiving nonpublic information, avoiding a loss of $45,673.

June 25, 2002: Grilled on The Early Show

On June 25, 2002, CBS anchor Jane Clayson grilled Martha Stewart on the air about ImClone during her regular segment on The Early Show, to which Stewart responded by focusing on her salad.

June 4, 2003: Indictment by Grand Jury

On June 4, 2003, Martha Stewart was indicted by a grand jury on nine counts, including charges of obstruction of justice.

January 2004: Trial Begins

In January 2004, Martha Stewart's trial began, focusing on her ImClone stock sale.

March 2004: Conviction on Felony Charges

In March 2004, after a six-week jury trial, Martha Stewart was found guilty of felony charges, including conspiracy to obstruct, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and making false statements to federal investigators.

July 2004: Sentencing

In July 2004, Martha Stewart was sentenced to a five-month term in a federal correctional facility and a two-year period of supervised release (including five months of electronic monitoring).

2004: Confinement in Federal Prison Camp

Despite Martha Stewart's wish to be incarcerated in Connecticut or Florida, in 2004 she was confined in Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, West Virginia.

2004: Derivative Suit Dismissed

In 2004, a derivative suit brought by Monica Beam, a shareholder of MSLO, against Martha Stewart and other directors and officers of the company was ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court of Delaware.

2004: End of Martha Stewart Living TV Show

In 2004, the Martha Stewart Living TV show, which began as a weekly half-hour program in 1993, concluded its run.

March 2005: Release from Federal Prison

In March 2005, Martha Stewart was released from federal prison after serving five months for felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case.

August 2006: Settlement with SEC

In August 2006, the SEC announced a settlement in the civil case against Martha Stewart. She agreed to disgorge $58,062 and pay a civil penalty of $137,019, and was banned for five years from serving as a director, CEO, CFO, or any other officer role responsible for preparing, auditing, or disclosing financial results of any public company.

2006: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Returns to Profitability

In 2006, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia returned to profitability after Stewart began a comeback campaign following her prison term.

June 2008: UK Visa Refusal

In June 2008, the UK Border Agency refused to grant Martha Stewart a visa to enter the United Kingdom because of her criminal conviction for obstructing justice.

2012: End of The Martha Stewart Show

In 2012, The Martha Stewart Show, which began in 2005, ended its run.

2015: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Acquired

In 2015, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was acquired by Sequential Brands.

April 2019: Sale to Marquee Brands

In April 2019, Sequential Brands Group agreed to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.