Unpacking the New Martha Stewart Documentary

“Martha” was released on Netflix on Oct. 30, 2024. The documentary tells the story of Martha Stewart, a household name for many, and how she rose to fame, infamy and bounced back to becoming an icon and idol.

Who is Martha Stewart

Martha Kostyra Stewart was born on Aug. 3, 1941, in Ocean City, New Jersey. She grew up in Nutley, NJ in a home with her parents and her five siblings. When she was a teenager, she was a model.

Stewart attended Barnard College in New York City, where she majored in architectural history and history. She married Andrew Stewart when she was just 19 years old. They divorced later after spending 29 years together. Together, they had one child, Alexis, who was later featured on “Whatever, Martha!” and “Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer.”

After having her daughter, Stewart desired to work on Wall Street. She became a stockbroker and one of the first women to work on Wall Street.

How She Rose to Fame

Upon working on Wall Street, Stewart started her own catering business based out of her home in Connecticut. Quickly, her business boomed and she got her first business deal to write a book about catering, “Entertaining,” in 1982.

Stewart continued writing books about hosting, through sharing her lifestyle that was unattainable for many, which made her receive criticism. In 1993, she got her first television show, “Martha Stewart Living,”that was on air for 11 years.

In 1997, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. was founded. This allowed Stewart to start her own brand. She quickly became a household name, especially due to her being one of the most successful women to start a brand, that included the publishing of more books, magazines and merchandise items, as well as a collaboration with K-Mart.

Additionally, the stock for her brand went public, which was a huge feat for Stewart, as she proved that women can do anything they put their mind to. Part of what helped make her so famous is that she became famous simply by living her life and broadcasting her lifestyle.

Controversy

Stewart’s stocks and fame were at an all-time high due to her massive empire. In 2004, she was charged with committing insider trading for stocks in the pharmaceutical company ImClone, owned by her friend Samuel D. Waksal.

She was sentenced to serve five months in prison. In the documentary, Stewart speaks quite high about her time behind bars.

“I had time for the very first time in many years, to contemplate, to get rid of the stress of the years. New friends, new ideas germinating. Ability, through it all, to be productive.”

Martha Stewart

Her Return to Fame

After her time behind bars, Stewart’s stocks plummeted, as did her name and brand. She tried to regain her fame, with the release of “The Martha Stewart Show” and continuing her magazine, “Martha Stewart Living.”

It wasn’t until 2015 when she started to regain relevancy. Stewart was asked to partake in “Comedy Central’s Roast of Justin Bieber.” Viewers of the show started to become interested in Stewart, as they found her jokes to be sharp and humorous.

During the filming, she sat next to Snoop Dogg, who was featured on her show in 2008 and 2009. This gave Snoop Dogg the idea to collaborate with Stewart again.

“She sat next to me, and she stole the show. She was the funniest roaster that night.”

Snoop Dogg

The duo are now synonymous with each other. From starring in commercials, to attending the 2024 Paris Olympics together and being in TV shows together. Snoop and Stewart are a dynamic duo that have won the hearts of many!

The documentary details Stewart’s upbringing and long road to fame, her time as a convicted felon and how she was able to bounce back and become the queen of living.

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