Martha Stewart (born Martha Helen Kostyra; August 3, 1941) is an American business magnate, author, editor
and homemaking advocate. She is also a former stockbroker and fashion model. Over the last two decades
Stewart has held a prominent position in the American publishing industry; as the author of several books,
hundreds of articles on the domestic arts, editor of a national homekeeping magazine, host for two popular
daytime television programs, and commercial spokeswoman for K-Mart. In 2001 she was named the third most
powerful woman in America by Ladies Home Journal. In 2004 she was convicted of lying to investigators
about a stock sale and served five months in prison.

Martha Stewart was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to middle-class Polish-American parents Edward "Eddie"
Kostyra (1912–1979) and Martha Ruszkowski Kostyra (b. Buffalo, New York, September 16, 1914. Norwalk,
Connecticut, November 16, 2007). Stewart, along with her five siblings, was raised in Nutley, New Jersey.
Stewart graduated from Nutley High School in her hometown.

Stewart also made a special appearance on the serio-comic series Ugly Betty in the November 16, 2006
episode "Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral", in which she gave her friend Wilhelmina Slater (played by
Vanessa Williams) tips on how to prepare a turkey. Justin Suarez (played by Mark Indelicato), is a fan of
Stewart.

Stewart agreed in September 2004 to begin serving a five-month prison term while her appeal was still
pending. In October 2004, she reported to Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia. She was released
on March 4, 2005, after which she was placed under home confinement and required to wear an ankle bracelet
for an additional 5 months.

Bacanovic and Waksal were also convicted of federal charges and sentenced to prison terms. Stewart also
paid a fine of US$30,000. In August 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had
agreed to settle the related civil case against Stewart. Under the settlement, Stewart agreed to a five
year bar from serving as a director, or as the CEO, CFO (or other officer roles in which she would be
responsible for preparing, auditing, or disclosing financial results), of any public company.

On September 14, 2007, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced that it inked a partnership with E & J
Gallo Winery to produce a wine brand with label "Martha Stewart Vintage" (for sale in 6 cities, January,
at $15). 15,000 cases to be sold include: 2006 Sonoma County Chardonnay, 2005 Sonoma County Cabernet
Sauvignon and 2006 Sonoma County Merlot (for Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, N.C., Denver, Phoenix, and
Portland, Oregon). Martha Stewart also signed contract with Costco Wholesale Corp. to offer frozen and
fresh food (label - Kirkland Signature).

There have been two biopics made for television about Martha. Martha, Inc.: The Story of Martha Stewart
for NBC and a sequel for CBS entitled Martha: Behind Bars, both starring Cybill Shepherd.