Martha Stewart is a renowned American entrepreneur, celebrated for her expertise in home and hospitality. Her multifaceted career spans publishing, broadcasting, and merchandising. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she achieved substantial success through her syndicated television shows, bestselling books, and popular magazine, "Martha Stewart Living." Her impact on American culture is significant, particularly in the realms of homemaking and lifestyle.
1912: Birth of Edward Kostyra
Martha Stewart's father, Edward Kostyra, was born in 1912.
1914: Birth of Martha Kostyra
Martha Stewart's mother, Martha Kostyra, was born in 1914.
1922: Skylands Estate Gardens Designed
The gardens of Skylands, a notable estate Martha Stewart owns in Seal Harbor, Maine, were designed in 1922. Renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen designed the gardens for the estate's original owner, Edsel Ford.
August 3, 1941: Birth of Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart was born on August 3, 1941.
July 1961: Marriage of Martha and Andrew Stewart
Martha Stewart married Andrew Stewart in July 1961.
1961: Marriage to Andrew Stewart
In 1961, Martha Stewart married Andrew Stewart, who was then a student at Yale Law School.
1965: Birth of Daughter Alexis
In 1965, Martha Stewart and her husband Andrew Stewart welcomed their only child, daughter Alexis.
1967: Martha Stewart's Career as a Stockbroker
Martha Stewart began her career as a stockbroker in 1967.
1976: Martha Stewart Starts a Catering Business
Martha Stewart started a catering business in her basement with her friend Norma Collier in 1976.
1977: Andrew Stewart Publishes "The Secret Book of Gnomes"
In 1977, Andrew Stewart, Martha Stewart's husband, was responsible for releasing the English-language edition of "The Secret Book of Gnomes".
1979: Death of Edward Kostyra
Edward Kostyra, Martha Stewart's father, passed away in 1979.
December 13, 1982: Release of "Entertaining"
Martha Stewart's first book, "Entertaining", was released on December 13, 1982.
1983: Release of "Martha Stewart's Quick Cook"
Martha Stewart published "Martha Stewart's Quick Cook" in 1983.
1984: Release of "Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres"
Martha Stewart released "Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres" in 1984.
1985: Release of "Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts"
"Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts" was published in 1985.
1987: Separation from Andrew Stewart
In 1987, Martha Stewart and her husband Andrew Stewart separated after years of marriage.
1987: Release of "Weddings"
Martha Stewart published "Weddings" in 1987.
1987: Separation of Martha and Andrew Stewart
Martha and Andrew Stewart separated in 1987.
1988: Release of "The Wedding Planner", "Martha Stewart's Secrets for Entertaining", and "Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus"
Martha Stewart published three books in 1988: "The Wedding Planner", "Martha Stewart's Secrets for Entertaining", and "Martha Stewart's Quick Cook Menus".
1989: Release of "Martha Stewart's Christmas"
"Martha Stewart's Christmas" was released in 1989.
1990: Divorce from Andrew Stewart
In 1990, Martha Stewart and Andrew Stewart divorced, following their separation in 1987.
1990: Divorce of Martha and Andrew Stewart
Martha and Andrew Stewart divorced in 1990.
1990: Launch of "Martha Stewart Living" Magazine
The first issue of "Martha Stewart Living" magazine was released in late 1990.
1993: "Martha Stewart Living" Television Premiere
"Martha Stewart Living", Martha Stewart's television show based on her magazine, premiered in 1993.
1993: "Martha Stewart Living" Television Premiere
In 1993, Martha Stewart launched her weekly half-hour television program, "Martha Stewart Living", based on her magazine.
May 1995: Martha Stewart Featured on "New York Magazine" Cover
"New York Magazine" featured Martha Stewart on the cover of their May 1995 issue, declaring her "the definitive American woman of our time".
1995: Golden Plate Award Received
Martha Stewart's achievements were recognized in 1995 with the Golden Plate Award, presented by the American Academy of Achievement.
September 1997: Formation of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
In September 1997, Martha Stewart, with the help of her business partner Sharon Patrick, secured funding to purchase the various ventures related to the Martha Stewart brand, consolidating them into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
1997: "Martha Stewart Living" Expands to Weekdays
"Martha Stewart Living" expanded to weekdays in 1997.
1997: Edison Achievement Award Received
In recognition of her career-long commitment to innovation, Martha Stewart was honored with the Edison Achievement Award in 1997.
October 19, 1999: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Goes Public
On October 19, 1999, Martha Stewart's company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, went public on the New York Stock Exchange. The successful IPO made Stewart a billionaire and the first self-made female billionaire in the United States.
1999: "Martha Stewart Living" Format Change
"Martha Stewart Living" became a full-hour show in 1999, with half-hour episodes airing on weekends.
December 27, 2001: Martha Stewart Sells ImClone Systems Stock
On December 27, 2001, acting on information from her broker, Martha Stewart sold her shares of ImClone Systems stock, avoiding a significant loss. This trade would later come under scrutiny by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
February 2002: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Stock Price Drops
By February 2002, the stock price for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia had fallen to $16 per share, a significant decrease from its initial public offering price.
June 25, 2002: Martha Stewart's "Salad" Interview
On June 25, 2002, during a televised interview on CBS's "The Early Show," Martha Stewart deflected questions about the ImClone stock controversy while chopping cabbage, famously stating, "I want to focus on my salad."
October 3, 2002: Martha Stewart Resigns from NYSE Board
Following a deal made with a key witness in the ImClone case, Martha Stewart resigned from her position on the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange on October 3, 2002.
2002: "Martha Stewart Living" Magazine Reaches Peak Circulation
The circulation of "Martha Stewart Living" magazine peaked at over two million copies per issue in 2002.
June 4, 2003: Martha Stewart Indicted on Nine Counts
On June 4, 2003, a grand jury indicted Martha Stewart on nine counts, including securities fraud and obstruction of justice, related to the ImClone stock trading case. She stepped down as CEO and Chairwoman of MSLO, but stayed on as chief creative officer.
2003: "Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart" Film Released
A biographical film about Martha Stewart, "Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart," was released in 2003, starring Cybill Shepherd as Stewart.
January 2004: Martha Stewart's Trial Begins
The trial of Martha Stewart, related to the ImClone stock trading case, began in January 2004. Prosecutors alleged that she had received insider information that allowed her to avoid financial losses.
March 2004: Martha Stewart Found Guilty
In March 2004, a jury found Martha Stewart guilty of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case, including conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements to federal investigators.
July 2004: Martha Stewart Sentenced to Prison
In July 2004, Martha Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison and two years of supervised release, including five months of electronic monitoring, for her conviction in the ImClone stock trading case.
October 8, 2004: Martha Stewart Reports to Prison
Martha Stewart arrived at Federal Prison Camp, Alderson, in West Virginia, on October 8, 2004, to begin serving her five-month sentence.
2004: "Martha Stewart Living" Ends
"Martha Stewart Living" ended in 2004.
2004: Shareholder Lawsuit Against Martha Stewart Dismissed
In 2004, a derivative suit brought against Martha Stewart and other directors and officers of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia by shareholder Monica Beam was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Delaware.
2004: Martha Stewart's Prison Assignment
In 2004, despite her lawyer's arguments and the judge's recommendation for other facilities, the Federal Bureau of Prisons assigned Martha Stewart to serve her prison sentence at Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, West Virginia. Her daughter expressed belief that the BOP's decision was intended to make a point.
2004: Conviction in the ImClone Stock Trading Case
Martha Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case in 2004.
2004: "Martha Stewart Living" Television Show Ends
Martha Stewart's television show, "Martha Stewart Living", ended in 2004.
March 4, 2005: Martha Stewart Released from Prison
On March 4, 2005, Martha Stewart was released from prison after serving her five-month sentence for her conviction in the ImClone stock trading case.
March 2005: Martha Stewart Launches Comeback
Following her release from prison in March 2005, Martha Stewart began a highly publicized comeback, returning to her business ventures and television appearances.
March 2005: Martha Stewart Released from Prison
Martha Stewart was released from federal prison in March 2005 after serving a five-month sentence for fraud related to the ImClone stock trading case.
September 2005: "The Martha Stewart Show" and "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" Premiere
Martha Stewart's return to television included the premiere of two shows in September 2005: "The Martha Stewart Show" on daytime television and "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," a prime-time spin-off of the popular reality show.
October 2005: Martha Stewart Releases "The Martha Rules"
In October 2005, Martha Stewart released "The Martha Rules," a book offering guidance on starting and managing a business.
November 2005: Launch of 24-hour Satellite Radio Channel with Sirius
In November 2005, MSLO launched a 24-hour satellite radio channel with Sirius. Martha Stewart began hosting a weekly call-in show on the channel.
2005: "Martha: Behind Bars" Film Released
In 2005, a second television film about Martha Stewart premiered, titled "Martha: Behind Bars." Cybill Shepherd reprised her role, portraying Stewart.
2005: The Martha Stewart Show Premieres
"The Martha Stewart Show", Martha Stewart's new show following "Martha Stewart Living", premiered in 2005.
2005: Planning for Wine Brand
In 2005, Martha Stewart began planning for her wine brand, Martha Stewart Vintage, which led to a partnership with E & J Gallo Winery announced in 2007.
July 2006: Agreement with FLOR, Inc.
In July 2006, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced a multi-year agreement with FLOR, Inc. to manufacture and market Martha Stewart-branded carpet tiles. The line debuted in 2007.
August 2006: SEC Settles Civil Case Against Martha Stewart
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agreed to settle its civil case against Martha Stewart in August 2006. Stewart agreed to pay fines and accept a five-year ban from serving as a director or officer in certain roles in public companies.
October 2006: Martha Stewart Releases "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook"
Martha Stewart published "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook," a comprehensive guide to home maintenance and care, in October 2006.
November 16, 2006: Appearance on Ugly Betty
On November 16, 2006, Martha Stewart made a special appearance on the comedy-drama series Ugly Betty. She gave her friend Wilhelmina Slater tips on how to prepare a turkey in the episode 'Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral'.
2006: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Returns to Profitability
Martha Stewart's company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, returned to profitability in 2006 following her release from prison and comeback campaign.
2006: Completion of First Martha Stewart-Branded Homes
In early 2006, the first Martha Stewart-branded homes were completed in Cary, North Carolina, inspired by Stewart's homes in New York and Maine. This was part of a larger plan to build 650 homes across various locations.
2006: Wine Production Planning
In 2006, Martha Stewart planned the production of her wine brand, Martha Stewart Vintage, which included wines from Sonoma County such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
September 14, 2007: Partnership with E & J Gallo Winery
On September 14, 2007, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced a partnership with E & J Gallo Winery to produce a wine brand named Martha Stewart Vintage, which would be available in six cities starting January 2008.
September 2007: Upscale Line of Housewares for Macy's
In September 2007, Martha Stewart launched an upscale line of housewares for Macy's. This was the largest brand launch in Macy's history, featuring more than 2,000 items designed exclusively for the store. The line includes bedding, bath, cookware, and dinnerware.
November 16, 2007: Death of Martha Kostyra
On November 16, 2007, Martha Kostyra, Martha Stewart's mother, passed away at the age of 93. She was affectionately known as "Big Martha" and made several appearances on her daughter's show, "Martha Stewart Living."
2007: Charles Simonyi Featured as Space Tourist
In 2007, Martha Stewart featured footage of her then-partner Charles Simonyi as a space tourist aboard Soyuz on her television show.
2007: Debut of Martha Stewart Floor Designs by FLOR
In 2007, the Martha Stewart Floor Designs by FLOR line debuted. This line of carpet tiles featured the distinctive design and color palette associated with the Martha Stewart brand.
2007: Death of Martha Kostyra
Martha Kostyra, Martha Stewart's mother, passed away in 2007.
January 2008: Launch of Martha Stewart Vintage Wine Brand
In January 2008, Martha Stewart's wine brand, Martha Stewart Vintage, was launched. The brand included varieties such as Sonoma County Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, and was available in six cities.
February 2008: Breakup with Charles Simonyi
In February 2008, Martha Stewart broke up with billionaire Charles Simonyi, ending their on-and-off 15-year relationship.
June 2008: Martha Stewart Denied Entry to the UK
In June 2008, Martha Stewart was denied entry to the United Kingdom due to her criminal conviction for obstructing justice in the United States.
July 2008: Craft Items Premiered in Walmart Stores
In July 2008, craft items under the names 'Martha Stewart Celebrate' and 'Martha Stewart Create' premiered in Walmart stores. This deal came about partly due to the closing of over 600 Kmart stores in the U.S.
January 26, 2010: Partnership with Hallmark Channel
On January 26, 2010, Hallmark Channel and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced a multi-year strategic partnership. Her hour-long daytime series Martha moved to the Hallmark Channel on September 13, 2010.
September 13, 2010: Martha Show Moved to Hallmark Channel
On September 13, 2010, Martha Stewart's hour-long daytime television series, Martha, formerly known as The Martha Stewart Show, moved to the Hallmark Channel.
2011: Martha Stewart Rejoins Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Board
In 2011, Martha Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
2011: Debut of Martha Bakes Show
In 2011, Martha Stewart debuted a new 30-minute show, Martha Bakes, on the Hallmark Channel, despite her company Martha Stewart Living only making a profit in one of the previous eight years.
April 2012: Acting Debut on Law & Order: SVU
In April 2012, Martha Stewart made her acting debut on the NBC legal drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She played a private school headmistress in the episode 'Learning Curve'.
May 11, 2012: Final Episode of Martha Aired
The final episode of Martha Stewart's television series, Martha, aired on the Hallmark Channel on May 11, 2012, after two seasons on the network.
October 2012: Debut of Martha Stewart's Cooking School on PBS
In October 2012, Martha Stewart's Cooking School debuted on PBS. Each 30-minute episode covers cooking techniques and basics, based on her eponymous book.
2012: Martha Stewart Becomes Chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Martha Stewart became chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia again in 2012.
2012: The Martha Stewart Show Ends
In 2012, "The Martha Stewart Show" ended.
2014: Partnership with eBay to Create American Made Online Store
In 2014, Martha Stewart partnered with eBay to create the American Made Martha Stewart online store, providing a platform for over 400 American vendors to grow their brands and popularize their products.
2015: Sequential Brands Acquires Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Sequential Brands acquired Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2015.
2016: Premiere of Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party
In the fall of 2016, VH1 premiered a new show featuring Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg called Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party. The show features games, recipes, and musical guests.
February 2017: Super Bowl Commercial with Snoop Dogg
In February 2017, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg starred together in a Super Bowl commercial for T-Mobile during Super Bowl LI.
June 2018: Judge on Chopped
In June 2018, Martha Stewart started appearing as a recurring judge on Chopped, a cooking competition on the Food Network.
October 2018: Appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
In October 2018, Martha Stewart appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show alongside actress Julia Roberts.
2018: Induction into New Jersey Hall of Fame
Martha Stewart's contributions were formally recognized by her home state in 2018 when she was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
February 2019: Adviser for Canopy Growth
In February 2019, Canadian marijuana company Canopy Growth announced that Martha Stewart would join the company as an adviser.
April 2019: Sale of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Sequential Brands Group agreed to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million in April 2019.
2019: Martha Stewart Enters the Cannabis Industry
Martha Stewart entered the cannabis industry with her own brand in 2019.
July 31, 2020: Premiere of Martha Knows Best on HGTV
On July 31, 2020, Martha Stewart's gardening show Martha Knows Best premiered on HGTV. Stewart provides gardening help to callers and celebrities while demonstrating projects at her estate.
September 2020: Launch of CBD Gummy Supplements
In September 2020, Martha Stewart launched a line of CBD gummy supplements in association with Canopy Growth.
December 4, 2020: Second Season of Martha Knows Best
The second season of Martha Stewart's gardening show Martha Knows Best aired from October 28 to December 4, 2020 on HGTV.
2020: Discovery of Family Connection with Jimmy Kimmel
In 2020, a television episode of "Finding Your Roots" revealed an unexpected family tie: host Jimmy Kimmel and Martha Stewart are cousins.
2020: Induction into Licensing International Hall of Fame
Martha Stewart was recognized for her impact on the licensing industry in 2020 with her induction into the Licensing International Hall of Fame.
July 1, 2021: Premiere of Martha Gets Down and Dirty on Discovery+
On July 1, 2021, a continuation of Martha Stewart's gardening show, entitled Martha Gets Down and Dirty, premiered on Discovery+.
June 2022: Introduction of New Shows on The Roku Channel
In June 2022, Martha Stewart introduced three new shows on The Roku Channel: Martha Gardens, Martha Cooks, and Martha Holidays.
June 15, 2022: Announcement of The Martha Stewart Podcast
On June 15, 2022, Martha Stewart announced that she would be launching her first original podcast, The Martha Stewart Podcast, in partnership with iHeart Radio.
June 22, 2022: Debut of The Martha Stewart Podcast
On June 22, 2022, The Martha Stewart Podcast debuted, with Snoop Dogg as the guest on the first episode.
September 2022: Lawsuit Filed Against Martha Stewart
In September 2022, Oregon-based CBD producer Wyld filed a lawsuit against Martha Stewart for copyright infringement related to the packaging of her CBD gummy supplements.
May 2023: Cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
In May 2023, Martha Stewart appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as the cover model. At 81 years old, she is the oldest model to feature on the cover.