who is martha stewart

Martha Stewart is an American entrepreneur, author, and television personality renowned for her expertise in home and lifestyle. Born Martha Helen Kostyra on August 3, 1941, she built a vast media and home-furnishing empire called Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She started her career as a model and stockbroker before turning to catering and eventually publishing bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, and decorating, beginning with her influential 1982 book "Entertaining." Stewart then expanded into television, hosting shows such as Martha Stewart Living and The Martha Stewart Show, and creating successful magazines. Her business ventures span publishing, broadcasting, merchandising, and e-commerce with a wide-reaching influence in lifestyle, home renovation, cooking, gardening, and crafting. Despite a legal setback in the early 2000s involving a stock trading case for which she served five months in federal prison, she made a strong comeback and remains an iconic figure in American lifestyle culture. Her company was sold to Marquee Brands in 2019. Stewart continues to be active in media projects and recently made history as the oldest woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2023. She was also the subject of a 2024 Netflix documentary. Stewart is widely recognized for her perfectionism, comprehensive knowledge, and multifaceted work ethic, inspiring millions in everyday living skills.