Publish date: 2024-03-26

She is popularly known as Martha Stewart, but the American businesswoman was born Martha Kostyra before taking her ex-husband's surname. Here are all the details you need to know about the man whose name she never dropped.

Martha Stewart is known for her gourmet menus, cookbooks, and cooking TV show "Martha Knows Best." She started out as a model at 13, appearing in fashion shows, television, and print advertisements.

Already used to the media, Martha studied European and architectural history at the Barnard College in Manhattan before focusing on her lifestyle brand. Today, she is the owner of many businesses.

Martha and Andy Stewart outside their home on March 24, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

In April 2022, the TV personality decided to declutter her home and hosted her first-ever yard sale. Celebrities like Sunny Hostin, Kris Jenner, Blake Lively, Joy Behar, and more stopped by.

The yard sale, part of a new ABC special titled "The Great American Tag Sale With Martha Stewart," raised money for the Martha Stewart Center For Living at Mount Sinai Hospital. It is a center that provides comprehensive care for older adults.

HOW LONG WAS MARTHA STEWART MARRIED?

While Martha was in college, she met a 23-year-old Yale law student named Andrew "Andy" Stewart after being set up on a blind date.

Martha revealed that they fell in love on their first date and, a year later, got married on July 1, 1961. On September 27, 1965, the couple welcomed their first and only child, Alexis Stewart.

Martha and Andy Stewart baking in their kitchen on March 24, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

Her husband became known as the "brains" behind her early professional success. Even though he studied law, he only practiced for a few years before moving on to the publishing world. Andy became the president of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., what is now known as Abrams Books.

Martha and Andy were married for 29 years before calling it quits in 1987, and their divorce was finalized in 1990. Andy went on to date Robyn Fairclough, her former kitchen assistant, and they got married in 1993.

The divorce was reportedly an emotionally taxing experience for Martha. When asked about it during a 1995 interview, she stated:

"The life that I had is over. And what has taken its place is better."

While Andy remarried and successfully stayed away from the limelight, Martha remained single and prominent in the public eye.

MEET MARTHA'S ONLY CHILD, ALEXIS

While Martha is famous, her daughter Alexis is not too well-known. Alexis is a former television host and a Sirius Satellite Radio co-host of shows which bore the same name, "Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer."

She and her co-host made a career out of making fun of Martha's professional and private life. Alexis is also an author and has co-written a book.

Growing up, Alexis did not have a great relationship with Martha. A source close to them once revealed that "they push each other's buttons" even though they love each other.

Martha and Alexis Stewart on NBC News' "Today" on September 24, 2009 | Source: Getty Images

In 1997, Alexis married lawyer John Robert Cuti who served as a trial lawyer in Martha's infamous legal case regarding insider stock trading.

Unfortunately, they reportedly separated in 2003 but didn't get divorced until 2004, when Martha's trial was over. Despite their divorce, they've remained great friends.

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