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 has authored bestselling books, published Martha Stewart Living magazine, and hosted syndicated television programs like Martha Stewart Living and The Martha Stewart Show, solidifying her influence in lifestyle and media.

Sections (5)

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

1912: Birth of Martha Stewart's Father

In 1912, Edward Kostyra, Martha Stewart's father, was born. He later became a pharmaceutical salesman.

1914: Birth of Martha Stewart's Mother

In 1914, Martha (née Ruszkowski), Martha Stewart's mother, was born. She later became a teacher.

August 3, 1941: Martha Stewart's Birth

On August 3, 1941, Martha Helen Stewart (née Kostyra) was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. She would become a successful 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.

1967: Second Career as a Stockbroker

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

1976: Started Catering Business

In 1976, Martha Stewart started a catering business in her basement with Norma Collier, a friend from her modeling days. Later Martha bought Norma Collier's portion of the business. Martha also worked as the manager of a gourmet food store, but after a disagreement with the owners at the mini-mall she was forced out and opened her own store.

1977: Catering the Book Release Party

In 1977, Andrew Stewart, then president of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., released the English-language edition of The Secret Book of Gnomes. Martha Stewart's company catered the book release party, where she met Alan Mirken.

1979: Death of Martha Stewart's Father

In 1979, Edward Kostyra, Martha Stewart's father, passed away. He was born in 1912.

December 13, 1982: Publication of First Book 'Entertaining'

On December 13, 1982, Martha Stewart's first book, "Entertaining," ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes, was released. This cookbook featured recipes and photos from parties she hosted.

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" under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint, adding to her growing collection of cookbooks.

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" under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint, expanding her cookbook repertoire.

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" under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint, continuing her success as a cookbook author.

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, marking the beginning of the end of their marriage.

1987: Release of Weddings

In 1987, Martha Stewart released "Weddings," ghostwritten by Elizabeth Hawes, under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint, adding to her series of successful books.

Weddings

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1988: Releases of Multiple Books

In 1988, Martha Stewart released multiple books, including "The Wedding Planner", "Martha Stewart's Secrets for Entertaining", and "Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus", under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint.

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" under the Clarkson Potter publishing imprint, adding to her series of successful books.

Martha Stewart's Christmas

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1990: Divorce from Andrew Stewart

In 1990, Martha Stewart and Andrew Stewart officially divorced, finalizing the end of their marriage.

1990: Development of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

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

1993: Martha Stewart Living TV Show Launch

In 1993, Martha Stewart launched "Martha Stewart Living", a weekly half-hour television program based on her magazine of the same name. The show focused on home and hospitality.

May 1995: Declared the Definitive American Woman

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

September 1997: Formation of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

In September 1997, Martha Stewart, with the help of Sharon Patrick, secured funding to purchase and consolidate her television, print, and merchandising ventures into a new company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO). She served as chairwoman, president, and CEO.

1997: Expansion of Martha Stewart Living TV show

In 1997, Martha Stewart's weekly half-hour television program, "Martha Stewart Living", expanded 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 with an initial public offering of US$18 per share. By the end of trading, it rallied to US$38 making Stewart a billionaire on paper and the first female self-made billionaire in the United States.

1999: Expansion to Full Hour Show

In 1999, Martha Stewart's television program, "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 sold all 3,928 shares of her ImClone Systems stock, avoiding a loss of $45,673. She received material, nonpublic information from her broker at Merrill Lynch.

February 2002: Stock Price Decline

By February 2002, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's stock price had declined to $16 per share, after an initial high following the IPO in 1999.

June 25, 2002: Grilled on The Early Show

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

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

On October 3, 2002, Martha Stewart resigned from her position on the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange, following a deal prosecutors had made with Douglas Faneuil, an assistant to Bacanovic, in connection to the ImClone stock trading case.

2002: Peak Circulation of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

In 2002, "Martha Stewart Living" magazine reached its peak circulation, exceeding 2 million copies per issue.

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 related to the ImClone stock trading case.

January 2004: Trial Begins

In January 2004, Martha Stewart's trial began. Prosecutors showed that Bacanovic had ordered his assistant to tell Stewart that the CEO of ImClone, Samuel D. Waksal, was selling all his shares in advance of an adverse Food and Drug Administration ruling.

March 2004: Conviction on Felony Charges

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

2004: Confinement in Federal Prison Camp

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

2004: 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, went before the Supreme Court of Delaware and was ultimately dismissed.

2004: End of Martha Stewart Living

In 2004, the television program "Martha Stewart Living", which started in 1993, came to an end. The show was based on her magazine and focused on home and hospitality.

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. This followed her conviction for fraud.

2005: The Martha Stewart Show Launch

In 2005, Martha Stewart launched "The Martha Stewart Show", a syndicated television program. It focused on home and hospitality.

August 2006: Settlement with the SEC

In August 2006, the SEC announced that it had agreed to settle the civil case against Martha Stewart. She agreed to disgorge $58,062 and pay a civil penalty of $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's company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, returned to profitability after her comeback campaign following her prison sentence.

2007: Death of Martha Stewart's Mother

In 2007, Martha Stewart's mother, Martha (née Ruszkowski), passed away. She was born in 1914.

June 2008: Denied Visa to Enter the United Kingdom

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. She had been planning to speak at the Royal Academy on fashion and leisure industry matters.

2011: Rejoining the Board of Directors

In 2011, Martha Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, marking a significant step in her return to leadership within the company.

2012: Chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

In 2012, Martha Stewart once again became chairwoman of her namesake company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, solidifying her leadership role.

2012: End of The Martha Stewart Show

In 2012, the television program "The Martha Stewart Show", which started in 2005, came to an end. The show was based on home and hospitality.

2015: Acquisition by Sequential Brands

In 2015, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was acquired by Sequential Brands, marking a change in ownership for the company.

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, further shifting the ownership landscape of the company.

2019: Entering the Cannabis Industry

In 2019, it was reported that Martha Stewart was entering the cannabis industry with her own brand, marking a new venture in her career.

2023: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover

In 2023, at the age of 81, Martha Stewart became the oldest woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue magazine.

2024: Netflix Documentary Release

In 2024, Martha Stewart was the subject of a Netflix documentary titled Martha, directed by R. J. Cutler.

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2024: Value of IPO Share Adjusted for Inflation

In 2024, the initial public offering of US$18 per share in 1999, for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, is equivalent to $34 when adjusted for inflation. Additionally, the stock's rally to US$38 by the end of trading is equivalent to $72 in 2024.