Martha Stewart Reflects on Life and Business

Martha Stewart, 84, recently shared her thoughts on being a pioneer for women in business during an appearance on the Molly Sims podcast. She discussed her journey to becoming one of America’s first female billionaires, emphasizing her connection to “every woman.”

“I was all women. I don’t call it a housekeeper; I call it homekeeping,” she explained. “I was really that woman. I now have a new term I learned— I was a trading wife.” This concept, as noted by Darling Academy, refers to women who, while balancing traditional roles, also respect their femininity and prioritize their family’s well-being.

Stewart, who began her career as a caterer, established Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, encompassing a wide array of products from magazines to television shows. Her company’s launch in 1999 was a significant milestone, with its share price doubling on the first day, valuing her 96% stake at around $1.05 billion.

She reflected on her experiences, noting, “The day I published, I was a very wealthy woman. It was fun.” Stewart reminisced about driving down Madison Avenue feeling empowered, thinking she could buy anything she saw.

In recent years, she has embraced her sexuality and confidence on social media, starting to post alluring photos at the age of 78. Her first influential post, which featured her in a bathing suit, quickly went viral. Despite the attention and DMs she received, she mentioned on “Today” in September 2025 that she wasn’t dating anyone special, stating, “But I have a lot of friends and my friends keep me happy.”