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EXCLUSIVE: Martha Stewart’s poignant five words of advice as she reflects on career turnaround after her life ‘fell into a chasm’

Apr 27, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: If anyone knows a thing or two about reinvention, it’s Martha Stewart.

The American culinary queen has had an illustrious career over the years, starting out as a model before becoming a stockbroker and now a celebrated author and TV host.

But then came 2004, a year she describes as the time her life “fell into a chasm”.

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Martha Stewart

It was the year she was sentenced to five months in federal prison after being found guilty on four counts of obstructing justice and lying to investigators over an insider trading scandal.

After her release, she embarked on a fierce comeback campaign for her brand and hasn’t looked back since.

Stewart touches on the subject when asked by 9honey Celebrity what advice she’d give for anyone navigating career highs and lows.

She tells us a simple yet invaluable comment: “Try and get a stable position in your work, if you can.”

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`NEW YORK - JULY 16: Martha Stewart exits court after the sentencing phase of her conviction on a stock-trading scandal July 16, 2004 in New York City. Stewart was sentenced to five months in federal prison, 2 years probation and 30,000 dollars in fines. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

She then takes a moment to reflect on what happened over two decades ago.

“I had the best… then I fell into a chasm with a lawsuit that was brought against me which was hideously unfair, time-consuming and extremely expensive, in terms of not only money, but in terms of my own work.”

But it appears the experience brought with it some valuable life lessons, reinforcing her determination to never give up.

“You just have to be very strong-minded, you have to be ready to accept the bad with the good and somehow get out of it,” she says.

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Martha Stewart to headline Vivid ‘In Conversation’ event in Sydney

But the most important message of all Stewart shares is five words: “Never lose faith in yourself”.

Stewart, who previously became the USA’s first self-made female billionaire, reinvented herself after the controversy and brand has not only survived – but thrived.

“If you are a good person and if you have good ideas, never lose faith in yourself,” she insists.

Stewart made the comments to 9Honey during a roundtable talk ahead of her visit to Australia next month, where she’ll appear for the In Conversation With Martha Stewart event as part of Vivid Sydney.

She’s certainly looking forward to visiting Australia again – and re-tasting Sydney’s “good food”.

“I love the food Down Under!” she says, beaming.

Martha Stewart

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“The last trip we had the best food in Sydney and elsewhere, just delicious, delicious food.

“I love what you grow there, and by the way – we had Australian lamb for Easter.

“I’m looking forward to eating good food. Whatever is there, I’m going to partake in!”

The star, who has just released her milestone 100th book called Martha, The Cookbook, also spoke about her love of dinner parties, saying the art of it is irreplaceable.

Martha Stewart

“I have managed to put good food on my table for a very long time and it’s not so hard once you get in the groove,” she muses.

“It’s exhausting, it’s hard to do, you can’t get around it… it’s worth it, so don’t give up on the dinner parties with your friends.”

Tickets are available now for Martha Stewart In Conversation, which will be held at Vivid Sydney on Wednesday, 28 May.

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