Growing up, Martha Stewart was a god in my house, and my mom was her mini-me. Even now, as a mom myself, I am still in awe of her. My mom has an uncanny ability to create something gorgeous out of nothing. Just this week, she made my child little leprechaun hats out of reusable Tupperware containers that held little goodies. So when Netflix released the Martha Stewart documentary, I was immediately on board.
The Martha Stewart I knew and grew up with was the ultimate DIY queen, the woman who could do anything. Learning her story in this documentary was the best hour I’ve had in a while. If you were a ’90s kid with a Martha Stewart-obsessed mom, you’ll probably find this fascinating too. If anything, it deepens the respect for everything Martha has built.
A Deep Dive into Martha Stewart’s Legacy
The documentary blends interview questions, flashbacks, letters, old B-roll, and photos. The best part? Seeing Martha now, at her homes, effortlessly doing what she does best. It’s mind-blowing to realize that these breathtaking properties were once rundown wrecks before she transformed them. One standout moment is when she talks about the trees she’s planted and demonstrates how to prune plants for winter.
Martha Stewart: The Original Influencer
Long before social media, Martha was showing women they could have it all—a beautiful home and a dream lifestyle. For some, it was a guide; for others, a fantasy. Her perfectionism is undeniable, and it runs in her family. Her father was a perfectionist too, though far from perfect. Unable to feed his six kids, he built gardens to trade for food. He was tough, and eventually, Martha turned to modeling to help support the family. Meanwhile, her mother, a schoolteacher, cooked 16 meals a day—skills Martha absorbed early on.
From College to Corporate America
After high school, Martha knew she didn’t want to be a housewife, so she pursued higher education. In college, she met her husband, Andy. When she told her father she was marrying him, he slapped her—Andy was Jewish. She married him anyway, and they took a five-month honeymoon. This trip opened Martha’s eyes to an elegant, sophisticated lifestyle missing in America. She fell in love with food, culture, and architecture, even recalling a spontaneous kiss with a stranger in a cathedral.
A Relentless Work Ethic
Throughout the documentary, a recurring theme is Martha’s emotional detachment. Many interviewees, and Martha herself, admit she doesn’t focus on feelings. “I want to know what you’re thinking. What are you doing?” she says. When she had her daughter, she knew she wasn’t a natural mother.
One of the most telling quotes about her work ethic is, “What Martha can control will get done. What she can’t control will drive her crazy.” She was meticulous, checking and managing everything herself.
Breaking Barriers in the Business World
In 1968, Martha became a stockbroker—the only woman at her firm. She was incredibly successful until the market collapsed, prompting her family’s move to Turkey Hill. Martha credits this property with shaping her brand: “If I didn’t have Turkey Hill, I would not be Martha.”
After leaving Wall Street, she poured herself into renovating Turkey Hill. She painted the house while listening to Watergate hearings. Her neighbor even called the authorities in 1976—having backyard chickens was unheard of then. Meanwhile, her husband, now a publishing CEO, introduced her to a world of elite entertainment. Martha excelled at hosting, leading to a catering business that became a multimillion-dollar empire. Every dish was homemade, nothing store-bought.
Martha Stewart’s Rise to Fame
A publishing company approached her to write an Entertainment book. She insisted on doing things her way, and the book’s success led to more bestsellers. However, her personal life was unraveling—her husband was having an affair with the flower girl she had taken in. Ironically, just as she was launching a wedding book, she divorced him. “If your husband cheats on you, he’s a piece of shit. You look at him like that piece of shit and leave him,” she says in one of her many unforgettable one-liners.
With her energy focused on work, Martha secured a deal with Kmart. Many thought she was downgrading, but she knew better—everyone wanted beautiful things, and she delivered. The Kmart partnership, combined with her books, led her to pitch a magazine idea. Only Time Inc. gave her a shot, and it became an instant hit.
Conquering Television and Becoming a Household Name
Despite skepticism, Martha launched her own TV show alongside her magazine. “Synergy was a dirty word at the time,” she recalls, but she made it work. The show revolutionized homemaking and DIY culture. It empowered young women to learn skills their families may not have taught them.
With her success, Kmart lent her the funds to buy back her name and magazine. This strategic move led to Martha Stewart Living going public—securing her billionaire status.
The Downfall: Martha Stewart’s Insider Trading Scandal
In 2001, everything changed. Accused of insider trading, she became the subject of a federal investigation. The media villainized her, calling it a “bitch hunt.” Ultimately, she was found guilty and sentenced to 150 days in prison. Reflecting on her experience, she says prison “doesn’t reform or make anyone better.”
Upon release, she struggled to regain control. Her talk show flopped—she felt disconnected from celebrity guests who neither cooked nor cared about homemaking. By 2010, she was depressed. Her media empire had been sold, and she was starting over.
Martha Stewart’s Reinvention: A New Chapter
Martha admitted she had “lost her mojo” but lived by two mottos:
- Learn something new every day.
- If you’ve don’t like the garden you’ve built, rip it up and start again.
Her comeback began unexpectedly in 2015 when she appeared at the Roast of Justin Bieber, proving she was hilarious. This led to her friendship with Snoop Dogg, which evolved into a successful TV show, reintroducing her to a new audience.
Final Thoughts: Is the Martha Stewart Documentary Worth Watching?
Martha Stewart remains an iconic American businesswoman. This Netflix documentary captures her journey from influencer to mogul, from prisoner to comeback queen. If you grew up watching her, or if you love inspiring success stories, it’s a must-watch.
