MAIN People in the News Martha Stewart

Born Martha Helen Kostyra on August 3, 1941 in Jersey City, Stewart was raised in suburban Nutley, New Jersey.

She grew up in a bustling household tended over by her mother - who cooked and sewed for each of her six children - and from whom young Martha quickly learned the fine art of homemaking.

Always the overachiever, she began modeling in New York while attending high school where, characteristically, graduated in the top ten. She later attended Barnard College in New York and there met her future husband, Andy Stewart.

The couple moved to Westport, Connecticut and began renovating the famous Turkey Hill Road address, later the site of a catering business aimed at a decidedly upscale Connecticut clientele. She parlayed that experience into a bestselling book, Entertaining, first published in 1982, followed by two cookbooks.

Homemaking Diva

Henceforward on TV guest appearances, and in public television specials, she was always introduced as "homemaking maven" or "lifestyle expert", Martha Stewart.

With her reputation firmly established, she eventually undertook a lucrative role as spokesperson for the department store mega-chain K-Mart. She also continued to build a homemaking empire with a hugely successful monthly magazine, Martha Stewart Living, which first hit newstands in 1990 supplemented by her regular appearances on the morning Today show.

By 1996, Stewart was named one of America's Most Influential People.

A year later, she took total control over her assets by creating Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia encompassing her vast influence over radio, TV, in print, mail order, and later a Web site at marthastewart.com.

All was not homemade bread-and-roses for Stewart, however, when she was somewhat unflatteringly portrayed by actress Cybill Shepherd ("Did I NOT ask for merlot?") in a 2003 made-for-television movie, Martha Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart.

While the movie was being filmed, Stewart in real life was suddenly being accused in an insider Wall Street trading scandal.

An indictment resulted in 2004 with a prison term that she began serving at the the Alderson Federal Prison Camp ("Camp Cupcake") in Alderson, West, Virginia.

Martha's Rise & Fall...& Rise...

Stewart's widely reported release on March 4, 2005 was followed by another five months under house arrest wearing an "unfashionable" electronic anklet that allowed authorities to track her (an experience also described as "hideous" by Stewart in a July 2005 interview with Vanity Fair).

Both critics and fans agreed that upon completing her sentence, Stewart would likely take back the reigns of her empire and - as fate would have it - plans were announced for her comback even before her prison release.

As part of a deal struck with NBC, Stewart hosted a new homemaking show plus a starring role in her own Donald Trump-style series, The Apprentice Martha Stewart. However, barely weeks into the reality TV program the network announced its cancellation due to poor ratings.

Today, through all her personal and professional travails, Martha Stewart is perhaps more influential as ever as the reigning Queen of Homemaking. enjoying much success in her role as daytime TV host and major American 'brand'.

More about Martha Stewart on the Web:

marthastewart.com - The official site of the Martha Stewart empire featuring the online shop, magazine subscriptions, Martha Stewart Flowers, e-cards, plus free resources including recipes and entertaining tips, TV show video clips, messageboards.

Martha Stewart - Wikipedia - The complete bio including personal details, professional accomplishments, news & scandals with photos, related references and resources.

Martha Stewart Stock Scandal - Full Trial Coverage on Courttv.com - Detailing the original 2002 accusations - from reports on lawyers, stockbrockers and other key players in the case, to Stewart's sentencing in 2004.

Save Martha! - Very popular site during Stewart's celebrated trial, but continuing as a tongue-in-cheek defense against the current "media onslaught" she suffers.