How old is Martha Stewart and when was she a model?

She's a well known businesswoman today, but how old is Martha Stewart and when was she a model?

Martha is perhaps best known for Martha Stewart Living, a TV show which ran from 1993 to 2004.

Nowadays, Martha is also famous for her endless products, cookbooks, and TV shows. But back in the day, she was in fact a fashion model.

However, she is still passionate about making people's houses a home and is hugely active on Instagram.

How old is Martha Stewart?

Martha Stewart was born on 3 August 1941, making her 79 years old.

She was born in New Jersey to Polish parents, Edward Kostyra and Martha Ruszkowski Kostyra.

But it turns out Martha has one very famous family member; In 2020, TV host Jimmy Kimmel appeared on the TV show, Finding your roots, and discovered that he and Martha are in fact cousins.

Martha attended Barnard College of Columbia University. She originally planned to major in chemistry, but later switched to art, history, and eventually architectural history. 

When was Martha Stewart a model?

Martha began modelling as a teenager, after her ballerina neigbour's parents encouraged her.

At age 15, she was signed to Ford models and went on to appear in several television commercials and in magazines, and even bagged Chanel as a client.

However, Martha has confessed she never felt 'pretty enough' despite her success.

"I was so skinny and so perfect for modelling, but I didn't know that I was beautiful," she said. "That was my only problem."

She added: "I knew that I could model, I knew I could pose for pictures, but I was not sexy, and I was not provocative.

"That feeling never came. It still hasn't come. I'm waiting for that day." 

Martha used her modelling contracts to pay for her college fees. 

She earnt $50 an hour for many of her jobs, 'which was a lot of money at that time,' Martha has said.

Who is Martha Stewart's husband?

Martha Stewart does not have a husband. In 1961, she married Andrew Stewart, but they separated in 1987 and divorced in 1990

They have one child together, a daughter named Alexis, was born in 1965. 

After her divorce, she dated actor Anthony Hopkins, but ended the relationship after she saw his hit film, The Silence of the Lambs, as she was unable to avoid associating Hopkins with the character of Hannibal Lecter.

Martha has a close friendship with rapper Snoop Dogg, with many fans speculating in the past that they were in a relationship - though both parties have denied this.

More from Woman & Home:

• best mascara
• best eye cream
• best foundation

Why did Martha Stewart go to jail?

In 2004, Martha served five months in a correctional facility on charges related to insider trading.

She was charged with securities fraud, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.

After her jail sentence she spent five months under house arrest and two years on probation.

Speaking of her time in prison, she said: “I knew I was strong going in and I was certainly stronger coming out. 

"It was a very serious happening in my life. I take it very seriously.”