Stewart, Martha (1941–)
Stewart, Martha (1941–)
American designer, tv host and entrepreneur. Born Martha Helen Kostyra, Aug 3, 1941, in Jersey City, NJ; dau. of Edward and Martha Kostyra (1st generation Polish-Americans); graduate of Barnard College; m. Andrew Stewart (publisher), 1961 (div. 1990); children: Alexis (b. 1965).
Was one of the 1st female stockbrokers on Wall St. (1968–75); for years, built up a catering business from her Westport (CT) basement; had syndicated tv show "Martha Stewart Living" (1991–2004); launched magazine Martha Stewart Living; had regular segments on NBC's "Today" (1990–87) and CBS's "Early Show" (1999–2002); had a syndicated "Ask Martha" column; sent out mail-order catalogs; signed with Kmart to produce her own name-brand goods; became the wealthiest self-made woman in media when Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia went public (1999); convicted of 4 felony charges (Mar 5, 2004), served a 5-month sentence with more panache than anyone had given her credit for.