Known to millions as the Queen of Domestic Arts, Martha Stewart is a successful entrepreneur who built a media empire from scratch out of the old adage “there is no place like home.” With a net worth estimated to be around $400 million as of 2020, Stewart’s journey to success has been filled with ups and downs. From her early life and education to her notable accomplishments and criminal conviction, let’s take a closer look at the life and career of Martha Stewart.
Early Life and Education
Martha Stewart was born on August 3, 1941, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Even as a child, she showed signs of her entrepreneurial spirit. At the age of 10, she would babysit for extra money, and by 13, she was modeling and appearing in television commercials. Stewart’s drive and ambition led her to become a stockbroker in New York City after graduating from Barnard College.
Notable Accomplishments
Stewart’s journey to success began with a small home-based catering business that she founded with a partner. The business quickly became successful, and Stewart eventually bought out her partner’s stake. In 1982, she published her first book, “Entertaining,” which sold over 625,000 copies. This marked the beginning of her publishing career, as she went on to publish several more cookbooks and contribute columns on homekeeping to newspapers and magazines.
In the early 1990s, Stewart signed a magazine deal with Time Inc. and launched Martha Stewart Living magazine. The magazine quickly gained popularity, and subscriptions grew to over two million. Stewart’s media empire continued to expand, with her own television show, “Martha Stewart Living,” and appearances on popular programs like “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Larry King Live.”
Billionaire Status and Criminal Conviction
In 1997, Stewart raised the funds to purchase the rights to