The Netflix documentary Martha, directed by R.J. Cutler, dives deep into the iconic life of Martha Stewart, revealing little-known stories and intimate memories. Stewart, renowned as a lifestyle mogul and America’s first self-made female billionaire, gives audiences a candid look at her life’s highs and lows. Here are five of the most shocking revelations from Martha, showing a side of Stewart the public rarely sees.
1. A Painful Family Legacy
Stewart shares memories of a difficult childhood influenced by her father, Edward Kostyra, who was both a demanding parent and her main source of inspiration. Stewart revealed that her father was harsh, sometimes abusive, and often drank red wine with his morning coffee. Their relationship turned violent when she got engaged to Andrew Stewart, a Jewish man. Her father slapped her hard across the face, refusing to accept her choice of fiancé. Despite this, Stewart went on with the marriage, determined to chart her own path.
2. A Secret Kiss in Florence
While on her honeymoon with her husband, Stewart experienced a moment of spontaneous romance with a stranger. Alone in a cathedral in Florence, Stewart felt swept away by the music and atmosphere. She shared an emotional kiss with a handsome stranger, which she described as a fleeting but innocent encounter. Stewart claimed it wasn’t infidelity but a profound, in-the-moment experience she cherished as a unique part of her journey.
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3. Wall Street’s Lone Woman
In 1968, Stewart began working as a stockbroker on Wall Street, where she was the only woman at her firm. She dealt with sexism and harassment, but she thrived and eventually earned $250,000 a year—a remarkable income at the time. Stewart credits her stockbroker days for teaching her how to navigate a world of billionaires. Burned out from Wall Street, she left the profession, moving her family to Turkey Hill Road in Connecticut and unknowingly laying the foundation for her homemaking empire.
4. A Marriage Fraught with Infidelity
Stewart’s marriage to Andrew Stewart was plagued by mutual infidelities, which she discusses candidly in the documentary. She recalls her own brief affair with an Irishman, while Andrew also had multiple relationships, including with a young woman Martha had welcomed into their home. Stewart warns against tolerating such behavior in marriage, referring to her ex-husband as “a piece of sh*t” for his actions. Her letters to him during their separation reveal heartache and jealousy, showing her vulnerability amid their crumbling relationship.
5. Heartbreak Behind Bars
Following her conviction in the 2004 ImClone insider trading scandal, Stewart spent five months at the Federal Prison Camp Alderson in West Virginia. She kept a diary documenting her prison experiences, from the humiliation of strip searches to the dismal quality of prison food. One entry describes her sorrow and sense of insignificance, where she questioned if anyone would miss her. Despite this dark chapter, Stewart eventually returned to reclaim her position as a lifestyle icon, proving her resilience even in the face of public disgrace.
