industrious, indefatigable, incomparable, inimitable…

and in person

By: Michael Kaplan

I met Martha almost five years ago, when my daughter, Casey, and I acquired Bedford Magazine and began transitioning it into the Bedford & New Canaan Magazine that it is today. We knew that getting an in person interview and doing a Cover Feature with Martha was just the kind of wow we needed and, knowing full well that her most famous imprimatur conveys all sorts of credibility and affection, Martha graciously agreed to be our second Cover Feature in November/December 2020.

…She’s like that. She graciously attends every local benefit and event her schedule will allow. She knows just about every local store owner and purveyor personally and plugs them when she can. She brought eggs from her farm to the Bedford Post when it opened in order to support her friend Richard Gere and enhance their early operations. She competes in the Harvey School’s annual chili cook-off. She’s an advocate for the Bedford Riding Lanes Association, and rides her Friesians to the Farmers Market at the John Jay Homestead. She’s a regular at the better local restaurants. She’s lent a hand, or at least given some advice, in helping scores of friends and neighbors with their garden design and gardening. And when some critical sound equipment got stuck in the mud just hours before last year’s Destination 39.3 Whalers concert to benefit Bedford, it was Martha who sent over her tractor and some workers to dig the equipment out and save the day!

I think Martha liked the way I portrayed her and, critically important, we’d gained the trust and confidence of Martha’s public relations powerhouse and BFF since Book #1, Susan Magrino. Martha speaks with Susan every morning, and the two have been palling around for most of the last forty years. On the rare occasion when they’re not jetting around from one fête to another, you can find them antiquing together around Martha’s summer home in Seal Harbor, Maine or Susan’s summer home in Orient Point, Long Island, or off on some adventure, along with Susan’s husband Jim Dunning Jr., to visit some new hotel property, or restaurant, or vineyard that Susan’s Magrino Public Relations is representing.

Martha introduced us to her dear friend Dominique Bludhorn, which led to our Cover Feature in the 2023 Homes Issue on Dominique and her exquisite renovation of the William Louis Dreyfus estate. Martha’s ex-husband, Andrew Stewart, was a lawyer at Webster Sheffield working for Dominique’s father Charlie Bludhorn when Dominique was just a tot, and Martha has been close with Dominique ever since.

Then we did the ‘Becoming Martha Stewart’ Cover Feature in the May/June 2022 issue of Bedford & New Canaan Magazine, wherein Martha talked openly about growing up middle-class in Nutley, working her way through college, her early years working on Wall Street, and how she started and built the Martha brand.

And on a personal note, when my now 90-year old mother was having some serious health issues, Martha helped get her to the right doctor at the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mt. Sinai Hospital - an institution she founded with the express purpose of providing excellent coordinated geriatric care. …She’s like that, too! She knows what’s going on around town and in the lives of a surprisingly large number of folks. She seems to remember everything everyone tells her, and always asks about how you and yours are doing. …She’s a good friend.

But everyone knows the Martha Stewart story, and thanks to her daily social media everyone knows what Martha is doing every day! She built a catering business into the GOAT Lifestyle Brand, and became the first female self-made Billionaire in the process. It’s all in her Wikipedia, and everyone has been reading about Martha since People and Time were the source of social news and cultural affairs.

Most recently, absolutely everyone has seen Martha’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover, Martha opening the Kentucky Derby, Martha hosting the Equestrian Games of the Paris Olympics with Snoop, Martha pitching Skechers, and Martha becoming the ‘Dirt Nerd’ as she leads the Scotts ad campaign.

…So my goal in interviewing Martha is always to get her to tell us what we don’t already know about her…

For this conversation I met Martha for breakfast at the Bedford Post. Martha had spent the morning before working with Casey - and she’d readied her house for Christmas ahead of schedule just to accommodate our November/December 2024 ‘Holidays!’ theme. She drove herself to breakfast… in the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV that Maybach pays her to promote. Like it is any where and everywhere Martha shows up…the best table is immediately available, the staff is extraordinarily attentive, and everyone tries to act cool as they sneak a photo and text their friends that Martha is in the room.

…Martha had a Cappuccino and the Avocado Toast….

What would you like to talk about?

“What’s next! That’s all I ever want to talk about. I don’t spend time in the past. I’m always moving forward.

The release of my 100th Book, Martha: The Cookbook, is a really big milestone for me! I’m really proud of having written about so many things, and of the really loyal following of all kinds of people from all over the world that has developed.

And I’ve already got a contract to produce Books 101, 102, 103, and 104! And I’m also under contract to write my Autobiography, and I’ve already got that outlined, and have someone researching background. Like how many thousands of employees I’ve had, how many products I’ve sold, how many times I’ve been on TV, and how many Apple trees I’ve planted.

And of course I’ve got my day job working with Marquee Brands on a great deal of beautiful products sold on The World of Martha on Amazon. And I have a new collaboration with Chilewich, my partnership with Skechers, my restaurant The Bedford at Paris Las Vegas, and special quarterly issues of Martha Stewart Living.

And then I’ve got the Netflix documentary on me - called Martha - about to be broadcast everywhere…

I’ve heard you’re not altogether thrilled with the documentary…but you authorized it and cooperated on the project?

Yes, and there’s a lot I like about it. They hired the renowned documentarian RJ Cutler, and when he produced the first half I was thrilled. But then RJ got an even juicier deal to do the documentary on Elton John, got distracted, and, in my opinion, didn’t capture the essence of my career in the second half of the documentary. At the artistic level, as an example, I’d asked that all the music be Rap, which I feel reflects the revolutionary nature of what I’ve accomplished; and they hired some classical arranger. And more to the point, they simply didn’t tell the creative story or how I’ve gotten it done. They were so busy focused on my trial and going to prison, they neglected the story of all the people who’ve worked with me, and the culture of the business I’ve grown. …I guess it’s an 80/20 thing, mostly positive - and you should watch it - but for me the second half is kind of ‘grin and bear it’.

And all that is just in your business life…

Yes, I’ve always got a personal project or two going as well! Right now I’m installing, or actually growing and shaping, a two-and-a-half acre Boxwood maze on my property in Katonah. Gardening really is my passion! I am also developing an adjacent property at my home in Seal Harbor, Maine. I like to be working on major projects. Building something. And I like to finish my projects.

And I’m on the Board of Hudson River Park, and I’m active with the Friends of Acadia National Park.

That’s a lot! How do you do it?

Well, I got up this morning at 4:10. I read the papers, did the crossword puzzle, and the Wordle. This morning I got it in 5, yesterday I got it in 2! I checked the stock market and looked at news affecting some of the companies I’m invested in. I still have a lot of Wall Street in me, and I like to analyze how companies are doing and bet on the ones I think are getting it right. I was looking at Tesla’s autonomous taxi launch; I’m a big fan of technology. I went through my emails, and I always have about fifty waiting. And then I went to the gym. I’m always the first person at either of the two local places I go to exercise. When I got back home I had to put a lot of plants away in the greenhouse; it was absolutely freezing last night. Then I had two conference calls, made a few calls to respond to some of the emails that needed my immediate attention, and got ready to come over to see you.

And how do you determine who you’re going to call and what you’re going to do that day?

I’m no ‘Corporate Jane’! I have a great team, and we talk each day about what we’re doing and work together to take care of all the things we have to get done. But I’m not on anyone else’s schedule.

So, are you productive for productivity’s sake?

No, for sanity’s sake! What would I have done this morning if I hadn’t done what I did? I just don’t dwell on how I’m feeling, and instead I just get down to work. I’m sure it’s because my parents didn’t hug me enough, and I’m sure it’s a human fault, but I don’t care that much about my feelings. Or maybe how other people are feeling, either. I care about action! What I’m doing! I do whatever interests me! I like to have fun!

But you don’t need more money, so why focus so much of your time on work?

Well, it’s really fun!

I probably still spend more time traveling than anyone you know…and I love to travel. Especially when I can go somewhere I haven’t been. I don’t like to repeat visits. I’m excited by the promise of discovering new places. A lot of my work revolves around being on my farm, where I have the neverending task of making everything perfect - and I find great calm and solace in that. And I’ve built and rebuilt a legacy brand and company that I’m still growing every day. It’s a very proud thing to have had an impact on American culture, made life a little brighter for so many people, and improved the way we live.

You say ‘legacy’, but does that mean the Martha Stewart brand will survive you, like Chanel or Ford?

Absolutely. When I took Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia public in 1999 all the men running Wall Street said you couldn’t build a public company around a single persona, no less a woman. When I’m gone the naysayers will say that the good I’ve done will be interred with my bones. But under the right leadership the Martha Stewart brand can live in perpetuity. …And my 13 year old granddaughter Jude could take the helm right now…if only she didn’t have to do high school and college first! Anyway, it’s my legacy.

You seem to have a special relationship with your granddaughter. I just read a People article that included thank you notes from friends of Jude’s who you’ve had for some ‘girls’ time at your farm.

Jude and my grandson, Truman, who’s 12, have their call on me…and the run of the place! My grandkids are what makes me tick! Jude brings a group of her friends over for some special weekends - and it’s the only time I drop everything else.

Take a look at this text from Jude and how she’s already planning our Halloween festivities. She did the graphics. She’s setting the schedule for a busy busy weekend. Making sure it’s perfect. She’s already a designer and an adept photographer. She’s just like me.

We travel together, and I’ve already taken them to all seven Continents. We’re going to Rome for Thanksgiving, and we hope to have a visit with Pope Francis. Last year we went to Madagascar and that was just fantastic. And we loved seeing the Galapagos. We pretend to be explorers. And it gives me joy to expose them to the wonders of the world and all sorts of culture. I wasn’t aware all that existed until I got to Barnard, and I didn’t get to Europe until my honeymoon with Andy.

Without making you spend too much time on your laurels - what’s the greatest honor you’ve received and what’s the most special thing you’ve gotten to do because you’re Martha?!? Dining at the White House? Winning all your James Beard Awards?

I have dined at the White House, and I think I’ve met every President since Nixon. And I’ve met so many of the most interesting people. The Olympics in Paris were really fun. And hanging with Snoop is always a party. He’ll be at the release party for my 100th Book - which is one of my great accomplishments - and the next day we’re doing The TODAY Show and Watch What Happens Live together.

But you know maybe my greatest honor, at least recently, was being named by AARP as an ‘Age Defier’! That says it all! …And being the Dirt Nerd! And I think one of the most special things I’ve gotten to do is to work with MasterClass. I love what David Rogier does with that platform, and I like to teach. I’ve taught about 100 different facets of ‘living’ in my books, and Master Class is a terrific modern medium to reach a large audience of people who are interested in learning.

Through it all, you’ve maintained a tight group of longtime girlfriends, like Susan Magrino and Dominique Bludhorn.

My posse! Susan, Dominique, Terre Blair Hamlisch, Charlotte Beers - who was CEO of Ogilvy and J Walter Thompson and who sits on my Board, and Jane Heller - my banker and one of the leading private bankers in the world. We have a lot of fun together!

You’re strikingly open and genuine, and normal…for someone like you…

Michael…There’s no one like me. I’m one of the most famous people in the world… and I still answer my own phone!

A few days later, Casey and I attended the Release Party for Martha’s 100th Book at 425 Park Avenue, hosted by Jean Georges, who’s fabulous new restaurant, 425, has opened in the building, and with Snoop making a ‘joint’ appearance. All of Martha’s friends were there to support her.

And then the next night, as Martha had requested, I went to the screening of the documentary Martha at the Jacob Burns, and the Q&A afterwards with Writer and Director RJ Cutler.

It’s not a ‘gotcha’, because Martha gave them all the illustrious material. And it’s not an ‘exposé’, because Martha has always been an open book. But the whole thing has the uncomfortable feeling of an interrogation, and comes off as if Mr. Cutler delighted in the few titillating details of Martha’s personal life, and relished in making Martha squirm. …There’s certainly nothing new.

While the documentary weaves together lots of great photos from Martha’s past, there’s just not that much Martha in it. Although Cutler says his team spent 40 hours interviewing Martha and some more time on Zoom calls, she appears in the exact same outfit for what seems like every interview and every walk around her garden, and the crew never steps foot inside Martha’s prized barn or visits with Martha’s treasured menagerie. And I was surprised - with Cutler having been so engrossed in Martha’s life at home - that he didn’t know Martha’s Barn Manager, Helen Peparo, or Martha’s Farm Manager, Matt Krack, when Cutler asked the audience for those who were there at Martha’s invitation to raise their hands. And that, when Cutler talked with Krack afterwards, he also didn’t know Julia Dickens, Matt’s longtime life partner and previously Martha’s long-time Personal Assistant.

Most important, it’s like Cutler not only got stalled on Martha’s trial and time in jail, but that he sees the whole episode as having defined Martha’s life. During the Q&A, Cutler explained that his purpose was to highlight what can be characterized as the misogyny of the Jim Comey led Justice System that prosecuted her. But, while Cutler’s thesis is well taken, his tedious emphasis on Martha going to jail is myopic.

In point of fact, for Cutler to be more measured, and give fair attention to all that Martha has done and who she’s been as a person since she went to prison, Netflix would have to add a whole new Part Two. Cutler paints Martha as somewhat compromised and subdued, and even got her to say something like that she was now more accepting of imperfection…but I don’t know anyone who knows that Martha!

For the real story, wait for her Autobiography…