Martha Stewart

In 1961, she married Andrew Stewart, with whom she had a daughter named, Alexis. The couple divorced in 1987.

She was romantically involved with actor Anthony Hopkins and billionaire Charles Simonyi.

Martha Stewart was born in New Jersey to Edward Kostyra and Martha Ruszkowski Kostyra. By the time she turned three, her family relocated to Nutley, New Jersey.

She went to the Nutley High School in New Jersey and later attended Barnard College, from where she graduated with a double major in History and Architectural History.

At the age of fifteen, she was seen in a Unilever television commercial. This marked her debut in television post which she starred in numerous television commercials. She took to modelling during her college days to earn some money.

In 1976, she started her own catering business along with Norma Collier, a friend from her modelling days. The business was a complete success, but differences between her and Collier arose, as a result of which, Martha bought her share of the business.

She worked for a gourmet store but this too did not last long as she was fired. This led her to open her own food store. Meanwhile, she met Alan Mirken, head of Crown Publishing Group at a party. Inspired by her knowledge and skills, Mirken offered her to develop a cookbook.

She released her first book titled, ‘Entertaining’ in 1982. The book featured all the recipes and photos from the get-togethers and parties she has hosted previously.

In 1983, she came out with the book titled, ‘Martha Stewart's Quick Cook’. The book was for people with a busy lifestyle and included 52 recipes that could be put together in less than an hours’ time.

In 1984, she published the book, ‘Martha Stewart's Hors D'oeuvres’, which was a book dedicated to finger foods to be served at various types of parties. The book included 150 recipes.

She is the founder of ‘Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.’, which is a company that has launched many of her creations and products. When the company went public in 1999, the stocks jumped from $18 per share to $38 per share at the end of the trading, making her the first female, self-made billionaire in the US.