Stewart, Martha

Martha Stewart (1941–), the domestic enhancement industry magnate, began her career as a caterer. Born Martha Kostyra, Stewart was the second of six children born to Polish American parents in Nutley, New Jersey. After an education at Barnard College and early careers as a model and a stockbroker, Stewart began her foray into professional domesticity as a private caterer. With the 1982 publication of her first book, Entertaining, followed by a quick succession of cookbooks and entertaining guides, Stewart developed her trademark persona, leading to the 1997 organization of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. MSLO, the phenomenally successful domestic enhancement empire, encompasses not only cookbooks and magazines, but newspaper columns, television and radio programs, mail-order catalogs, blogs, email newsletters, and a comprehensive, interactive website featuring recipes, gardening advice, and craft ideas. Food, including the production, preparation, and proper display of food both for entertaining and for everyday family meals, is the most popular feature of the Martha Stewart website. Stewart’s empire also includes lucrative merchandising arrangements with such companies as Macy’s, Costco, KB Homes, Gallo Winery, and Crane Stationary.