Martha Stewart, in a new Netflix documentary entitled “Martha” by R.J. Cutler, makes a stunning revelation. The 83-year-old confesses to being unfaithful to her ex-husband, Andrew Stewart. She advises young women that if their husbands cheat, they should leave the marriage. Martha admits to an affair, but states that Andy likely never knew about it. The couple, who were married for nearly three decades, had a daughter together before divorcing in 1990. Martha expresses the pain of being the first in her family to divorce and the subsequent lack of communication with her ex-husband.
The docuseries explores Martha Stewart’s life through intimate interviews, detailing her rise from a teen model to a trailblazing influencer and America’s first self-made female billionaire in 1999. Viewers also witness how she rebranded her image after serving prison time for insider trading in 2004. Martha discusses feeling like a trophy for prosecutors during her sentencing and expresses frustration at being accused of acting on insider knowledge. Following her sentence, she was determined to reinvent herself and not let the experience define her legacy.
Martha Stewart sold her stake in ImClone Systems in 2001, leading to accusations of insider trading. Despite maintaining her innocence, she and her stockbroker were accused of lying to authorities and acting on non-public knowledge. In 2004, Martha faced a highly publicized trial and was found guilty of conspiracy and obstruction of justice. She was sentenced to five months in prison and two years of probation. Despite the challenges she faced, Martha was determined to climb out of the hole and reinvent herself after prison.
During her time in prison, Martha Stewart maintained her determination and support system, ultimately emerging stronger than before. Less than a year after her release, she was able to write a book and debut two television shows. In a statement upon her release, Martha described her prison experience as life-altering and life-affirming. She expressed gratitude for the extraordinary people she met and the lessons she learned during her time behind bars. Martha’s resilience and strength allowed her to not be defined by her hardships and to continue moving forward in her career.
Martha Stewart emphasizes that she does not want her mistakes or legal troubles to define her life. She maintains that she was a strong person to begin with and is able to hold her head high despite the challenges she faced. The documentary sheds light on Martha’s journey of self-discovery, reinvention, and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the trials and tribulations, Martha remains determined to continue her legacy and move forward with her life. “Martha” is set to premiere on Netflix on October 30, offering viewers a closer look at the iconic figure’s life and the challenges she has faced.