Martha Stewart Marriage History: Andrew Stewart And Beyond

When people look up Martha Stewart's marital history, they often expect a sprawling catalog of high-profile romances matching her massive business empire. The reality is much simpler, yet far more complex behind closed doors. Martha has only been married once, a nearly three-decade union with publisher Andrew "Andy" Stewart that ended in a bitter divorce. While public curiosity frequently fixates on the phrase "husbands" as though there were a string of them, her romantic life post-divorce involves notable long-term partners rather than a revolving door of spouses.

Understanding Martha's relationship history means looking past the curated perfection of her media brand. Her marriage to Andy began during the Kennedy administration, weathered the rise of her catering and publishing businesses, and ultimately fractured under the weight of professional ambition, mutual infidelities, and profound personal friction.

The Early Years: Meeting Andrew Stewart

Martha Kostyra met Andrew Stewart in the early 1960s while she was working as a model and attending Barnard College, and he was studying at Yale Law School. They went on a blind date, hit it off, and married in July 1961 when Martha was just 19 years old.

Their early relationship held classic mid-century milestones. Andrew transitioned into publishing, eventually running a major house bearing his name, while Martha worked briefly as a stockbroker before pivoting to catering, historic home restoration, and lifestyle journalism. In 1965, they welcomed their only child, daughter Alexis. For years, the family lived in a meticulously restored 1805 farmhouse in Turkey Hill, Westport, Connecticut, which served as the physical backdrop and testing ground for much of Martha's early branding. As discussed in recent coverage by Reuters, the effects are notable.

Yet, cracks formed early. Martha later revealed in retrospective interviews and documentary projects that their dynamic was strained from the start. She even admitted to kissing a stranger during her honeymoon, a startling early indicator of a turbulent emotional landscape.

The Rise of an Empire and the Fall of a Marriage

As Martha's career skyrocketed in the late 1970s and 1980s with the publication of her blockbuster book Entertaining and the growth of her multimedia enterprise, the power balance in the household shifted. Andrew reportedly grew resentful of her relentless drive, perfectionism, and consuming work ethic.

Conversely, Martha detailed a deeply painful breakdown of trust. Decades after their split, she acknowledged that both partners engaged in affairs during the marriage. The final years before their physical separation in 1987 were marked by emotional coldness and explosive arguments.

• The Separation: In 1987, Martha and Andrew separated, living apart while sorting out the complex division of their assets and properties.
• The Legal Divorce: The divorce was officially finalized in 1990, bringing a definitive close to a 29-year marriage.
• The Aftermath: The split was acrimonious. Martha described it in interviews as one of the worst periods of her life, noting that Andrew suddenly cut off contact and moved on quickly, marrying one of her former employees, a move that permanently poisoned any chance of a civil post-divorce friendship.

According to a report by The Independent, Martha confessed years later that she has not spoken to Andrew in decades, maintaining a total estrangement even as they share grandchildren through their daughter Alexis.

Life After Andrew: Notable Post-Divorce Relationships

Following her divorce, Martha did not remarry, but she was far from reclusive. She engaged in several high-profile relationships that attracted intense media scrutiny.

Charles Simonyi

Her most significant long-term relationship was with billionaire software architect Charles Simonyi, an early pillar at Microsoft. The pair dated on and off for roughly 15 years, frequently attending high-society galas and traveling together. Simonyi even appeared in footage on Martha's television show when he flew into space as a civilian astronaut in 2007. However, the relationship cooled around 2008, coinciding with the pressures following Martha's federal prison sentence and differing lifestyle priorities.

Anthony Hopkins

Martha also had a brief, highly publicized romance with actor Anthony Hopkins in the 1990s. That romance crashed into a rather unusual wall: Martha realized she could not separate the Oscar-winning actor from his chilling portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. She admitted that walking through the woods with Dr. Hannibal Lecter ultimately proved too unnerving to sustain a romance.

Common Misconceptions About Martha Stewart's Love Life

Because pop culture loves to project romantic turmoil onto powerful women, several myths persist regarding Martha's marital history.

• Myth 1: She has been married multiple times. As established, Andrew Stewart was her first and only husband. She chose building a corporate empire over walking down the aisle again.
• Myth 2: Her divorce was amicable. Media outlets often sanitize celebrity splits for public consumption, but Martha's divorce was deeply painful, financially contentious, and resulted in complete permanent estrangement.
• Myth 3: She retired from dating. Martha has openly stated in recent years that while she enjoys her independence, farm life, and large circle of friends, she is open to companionship, famously noting that she wouldn't mind having a nice dinner partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Martha Stewart ever remarry after divorcing Andrew?

No. Martha has never remarried. Following her 1990 divorce, she chose to focus entirely on expanding Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, her television career, and her personal projects.

How long was Martha Stewart married to Andrew Stewart?

They were married for 29 years, from July 1961 until their divorce was finalized in 1990, though they separated three years prior in 1987.

Do Martha and Andrew share any children?

Yes. They share one daughter, Alexis Stewart, born in 1965, who grew up to host her own radio and television programs and write candidly about her childhood. Through Alexis, Martha has two grandchildren.

What happened to Andrew Stewart after the divorce?

Andrew moved forward in publishing and eventually married Shyla Nelson in 2015. He largely stepped away from the public eye, dividing his time between properties in California and Vermont.