History of Martha Stewart in Timeline

Martha Stewart is an American businesswoman, writer, and television personality best known for founding Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Her success spans publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and e-commerce, focusing on home and hospitality. She's authored bestselling books, published Martha Stewart Living magazine, and hosted television programs like 'Martha Stewart Living' and 'The Martha Stewart Show,' solidifying her influence on lifestyle and home-related content.

Sections (5)

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

1912: Birth of Martha Stewart's father

In 1912, Martha Stewart's father, Edward Kostyra, was born.

1914: Birth of Martha Stewart's mother

In 1914, Martha Stewart's mother, Martha (née Ruszkowski), was born.

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 was finishing his law degree at Yale Law School.

1967: Began career as a stockbroker

In 1967, Martha Stewart started a second career as a stockbroker, following her father-in-law's profession.

1976: Started a catering business

In 1976, Martha Stewart started a catering business in her basement with Norma Collier. She later bought Collier's portion of the business.

1977: Catered book release party and met Alan Mirken

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

1979: Death of Martha Stewart's father

In 1979, Martha Stewart's father, Edward Kostyra, passed away.

December 13, 1982: Release of "Entertaining"

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

Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations

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1983: Release of Martha Stewart's Quick Cook

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

Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus

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

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

Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook

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1985: Release of Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts

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

Martha Stewart's New Pies and Tarts: 150 Recipes for Old-Fashioned and Modern Favorites: A Baking Book

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1987: Separation from Andrew Stewart

In 1987, Martha Stewart and Andrew Stewart separated.

1987: Release of Weddings

In 1987, Martha Stewart released Weddings, which was ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes.

Weddings

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1988: Release of Several 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 Martha Stewart's Christmas.

Martha Stewart's Christmas

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1990: Divorce from Andrew Stewart

In 1990, Martha Stewart and Andrew Stewart divorced.

1990: Developed Martha Stewart Living magazine

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

1993: Martha Stewart Living television program began

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

May 1995: Declared the definitive American woman

In May 1995, New York Magazine declared Martha Stewart "the definitive American woman of our time".

September 1997: Establishment of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

In September 1997, Martha Stewart secured funding to purchase television, print, and merchandising ventures related to her brand, consolidating them into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO).

1997: Martha Stewart Living expanded to weekdays

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

October 19, 1999: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Went Public

On October 19, 1999, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO, making Stewart a billionaire on paper and the first female self-made billionaire in the United States.

1999: Martha Stewart Living expanded to a full hour

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

December 27, 2001: Sold ImClone Systems stock

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

February 2002: Stock Price Decline

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

June 25, 2002: Grilled on the air about ImClone during her regular segment

On June 25, 2002, CBS anchor Jane Clayson questioned Martha Stewart on the air about the ImClone stock trading case during her segment on The Early Show. Stewart continued chopping cabbage and responded: "I want to focus on my salad."

October 3, 2002: Resigned from the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange

On October 3, 2002, Martha Stewart resigned from the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange.

2002: Peak circulation of Martha Stewart Living

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

June 4, 2003: Indicted 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.

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

In 2003, the television film 'Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart' was released, portraying Martha Stewart's life story. Cybill Shepherd played the role of Martha Stewart in the film.

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January 2004: Went on trial

In January 2004, Martha Stewart went on trial.

March 2004: Found Guilty

In March 2004, Martha Stewart was found guilty of felony charges.

July 2004: Sentenced

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: Confined in Federal Prison Camp

In 2004, Martha Stewart was confined in Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, West Virginia.

2004: Shareholder derivative suit dismissal

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 dismissed by the Supreme Court of Delaware.

2004: Martha Stewart Living television program ended

In 2004, the Martha Stewart Living television program ended 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.

2005: The Martha Stewart Show began

In 2005, Martha Stewart started hosting The Martha Stewart Show.

2005: Martha: Behind Bars

In 2005, another television film, 'Martha: Behind Bars', was released, continuing the depiction of Martha Stewart's life story. Cybill Shepherd reprised her role as Martha Stewart in this film.

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August 2006: Settlement of Civil Case

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 and pay a civil penalty of $137,019.

2006: Company returned to profitability

In 2006, Martha Stewart's company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, returned to profitability after her comeback campaign.

2007: Death of Martha Stewart's mother

In 2007, Martha Stewart's mother, Martha (née Ruszkowski), passed away.

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: Stewart rejoined the board of directors

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

2012: Stewart became chairwoman again

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

2012: The Martha Stewart Show ended

In 2012, The Martha Stewart Show ended its run.

2015: Company acquired 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: Sequential Brands Agreed to Sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

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.