History of Martha Stewart in Timeline

Martha Stewart is an American businesswoman, writer, and television personality known for founding Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Her company focuses on home and hospitality, achieving success through publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and e-commerce. She's authored bestselling books, published 'Martha Stewart Living' magazine, and hosted syndicated television programs such as 'Martha Stewart Living' and 'The Martha Stewart Show', establishing herself as a prominent figure in lifestyle media.

Sections (5)

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

August 3, 1941: Martha Stewart's Birth

On August 3, 1941, Martha Helen Stewart, née Kostyra, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

July 1961: Marriage to Andrew Stewart

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

1967: Second Career as a Stockbroker

In 1967, Martha Stewart began a second career as a stockbroker, which was her father-in-law's profession.

1976: Started Catering Business

In 1976, Martha Stewart started a catering business in her basement with Norma Collier.

1977: Catering Book Release Party and Meeting Alan Mirken

In 1977, Martha Stewart's company catered The Secret Book of Gnomes series release party, where she was introduced to Alan Mirken, head of Crown Publishing Group.

December 13, 1982: Publication of Entertaining

On December 13, 1982, Martha Stewart's first book, Entertaining, ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes, was released.

Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations

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1983: Release of Martha Stewart's Quick Cook

In 1983, Martha Stewart released her book Martha Stewart's Quick Cook.

1984: Release of Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres

In 1984, Martha Stewart released her book Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres.

1985: Release of Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts

In 1985, Martha Stewart released her book Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts.

1987: Separation from Andrew Stewart

In 1987, Andrew and Martha Stewart separated.

1987: Release of Weddings

In 1987, Martha Stewart released her book Weddings, ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes.

Weddings

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1988: Release of Multiple Books

In 1988, Martha Stewart released The Wedding Planner, Martha Stewart's Secrets for Entertaining, and Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus.

Martha Stewart Weddings: Ideas and Inspiration

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1989: Release of Martha Stewart's Christmas

In 1989, Martha Stewart released her book Martha Stewart's Christmas.

1990: Divorce from Andrew Stewart

In 1990, Martha Stewart and Andrew Stewart divorced.

1990: Development of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

In 1990, Martha Stewart signed with Time Publishing Ventures to develop a new magazine, Martha Stewart Living, for which she would serve as editor-in-chief; the first issue was released in late 1990.

1993: Start of Martha Stewart Living TV show

In 1993, Martha Stewart began hosting a weekly half-hour television program called Martha Stewart Living, which was based on her magazine.

May 1995: New York Magazine Cover

On the cover of their May 1995 issue, New York Magazine declared Martha Stewart "the definitive American woman of our time".

September 1997: Formation of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

In September 1997, Martha Stewart secured funding to purchase the television, print, and merchandising ventures related to her brand and consolidated them into a new company named Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO). She launched a companion website and a catalogue business, called Martha by Mail and the company also had a direct-to-consumer floral business.

1997: Expansion of Martha Stewart Living TV Show

In 1997, the Martha Stewart Living television show expanded from a weekly half-hour program to weekdays.

October 19, 1999: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Goes Public

On October 19, 1999, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO. The initial public offering was set at US$18 per share, and rallied to US$38 by the end of trading, making Stewart a billionaire on paper.

1999: Expansion to Full Hour Show

In 1999, Martha Stewart Living expanded to a full hour show with half-hour episodes on weekends.

December 27, 2001: Sale of ImClone Systems Stock

On December 27, 2001, according to the SEC, Martha Stewart avoided a loss of $45,673 by selling all 3,928 shares of her ImClone Systems stock after receiving nonpublic information from her broker. The day following her sale, the stock value fell 16%.

February 2002: Decline in Stock Price

By February 2002, the stock price of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia slowly went down to $16 per share.

June 25, 2002: Grilled on The Early Show about ImClone

On June 25, 2002, CBS anchor Jane Clayson grilled Martha Stewart on the air about ImClone during her regular segment on The Early Show. Stewart responded by saying "I want to focus on my salad."

October 3, 2002: Resignation from the Board of Directors of the New York Stock Exchange

On October 3, 2002, Martha Stewart resigned her position on the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange, following a deal prosecutors had made with Douglas Faneuil.

2002: Peak Circulation of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

In 2002, Martha Stewart Living magazine reached its peak circulation of more than 2 million copies per issue.

June 4, 2003: Indictment by a Grand Jury

On June 4, 2003, Martha Stewart was indicted by a grand jury on nine counts, including charges of obstruction of justice. Stewart stepped down as CEO and Chairwoman of MSLO but stayed on as chief creative officer.

2003: Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart

In 2003, a television film titled "Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart," was made about her life story, with Cybill Shepherd portraying Stewart.

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January 2004: Trial Begins

In January 2004, Martha Stewart's trial began, where prosecutors showed that her broker had ordered his assistant to tell Stewart that the CEO of ImClone was selling his shares in advance of an adverse FDA ruling.

March 2004: Guilty Verdict in Trial

In March 2004, Martha Stewart was found guilty of felony charges of conspiracy to obstruct, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and making false statements to federal investigators.

July 2004: Sentencing to Prison

In July 2004, Martha Stewart was sentenced to serve a five-month term in a federal correctional facility and a two-year period of supervised release.

2004: End of Martha Stewart Living TV show

In 2004, Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart's television program that started in 1993, ended.

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, went before the Supreme Court of Delaware and was ultimately dismissed.

2004: Confinement in Federal Prison Camp

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

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.

2005: Start of The Martha Stewart Show

In 2005, Martha Stewart began hosting another syndicated television program called The Martha Stewart Show.

2005: Martha: Behind Bars

In 2005, another television film, "Martha: Behind Bars," focusing on Stewart's life, was released. Cybill Shepherd again portrayed Martha Stewart.

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August 2006: Settlement with the SEC

In August 2006, the SEC announced that it had agreed to settle the related civil case against Martha Stewart. Stewart agreed to disgorge $58,062, as well as a civil penalty of three times the loss avoided, or $137,019. She also agreed to a five-year ban 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: Visa Refusal by UK Border Agency

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.

2011: Rejoining Board of Directors of MSLO

In 2011, Martha Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

2012: Becoming Chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Again

In 2012, Martha Stewart became chairwoman of her namesake company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, again.

2012: End of The Martha Stewart Show

In 2012, The Martha Stewart Show, Martha Stewart's syndicated television program that started in 2005, ended.

2015: Acquisition of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia by Sequential Brands

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

2016: Cameo in Bad Moms

In 2016, Martha Stewart made a cameo appearance in the comedy film "Bad Moms".

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April 2019: Agreement to Sell MSLO 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.