Martha Stewart & Andy Stewart Divorce
The domestic goddess's empire was built on the rubble of a 26-year marriage that ended with a court-ordered silence.
Key Facts
What Happened
Martha Stewart married Andrew "Andy" Stewart, a publisher at Harry N. Abrams Inc., in 1961. For 26 years, they were partners in both marriage and Martha's early business ventures. Andy helped publish her first cookbook, and their Westport, Connecticut home became the backdrop for what would become a lifestyle empire. But as Martha's ambitions grew, the marriage strained under the weight of her relentless drive.
The couple separated in 1987 and finalized their divorce in 1990, just as Martha Stewart Living magazine was about to launch. The timing was significant: most of Martha's enormous wealth would be generated after the divorce, meaning Andy's share of the marital estate was based on assets accumulated before her empire truly took off. The specific terms of the settlement remain undisclosed.
The aftermath was notably bitter. Andy obtained a court order prohibiting Martha from communicating with him except through their attorneys. The two have not spoken since the divorce was finalized. Martha later admitted in her Netflix documentary that she had kissed another man during their honeymoon and had affairs during the marriage, though she maintained the marriage was already deteriorating.
The Stewart divorce is a case study in how timing affects asset division. Had the divorce come even five years later, Andy would have had a claim to hundreds of millions in marital assets. Instead, Martha's empire was built almost entirely post-divorce, making the settlement far less expensive than it might otherwise have been. It also illustrates the emotional toll that total commitment to career ambition can exact on a marriage.
Legal Breakdown: When success outgrows a marriage
Timing and Asset Division
The Stewart divorce illustrates how critically timing affects asset division. Martha's empire was built almost entirely after the divorce, meaning Andy had no claim to the vast wealth she later accumulated. In community property or equitable distribution states, only assets accumulated during the marriage are subject to division.
No-Contact Orders Post-Divorce
Andy's court order barring Martha from direct communication is unusual but not unheard of in contentious divorces. Such orders can be granted when one party demonstrates that direct contact is harmful or harassing, and they underscore how some divorces end not with resolution but with legally enforced silence.
Infidelity and Its Legal Impact
Martha's later admissions about affairs during the marriage may have been irrelevant to the financial settlement depending on the jurisdiction, as many states have moved toward no-fault divorce. However, such admissions can affect public perception and, in fault-based states, could influence alimony and asset division.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →The timing of a divorce filing can have enormous financial consequences, especially when one spouse's earning potential is about to increase dramatically.
- →When a marriage ends with a no-contact order, it signals an irreparable breakdown that goes beyond financial disputes.
- →Building a career at the expense of a marriage is a choice with permanent consequences; success and partnership require active balance.
- →Undisclosed settlements in high-profile divorces often indicate that both parties preferred privacy over public vindication.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.