Martha Stewart, the lifestyle mogul known for her cooking and home-making empire, is once again making headlines due to her recent Netflix documentary, titled Martha. Released on October 30, the documentary explores various facets of her life, including personal revelations about her tumultuous marriage to ex-husband Andrew Stewart.
Since the documentary's trailer was released, it has ignited discussions and stirred controversies, particularly surrounding the depiction of Andrew's character. Martha alleges multiple instances of infidelity on Andrew’s part, claiming he was unfaithful throughout their nearly three-decade marriage. She advises young women who find themselves faced with infidelity to leave their marriages, stating emphatically, “If your husband starts to cheat on you, he’s a piece of s---. Get out of it.” With these words, she portrays Andrew as the wrongdoer, casting shadows over their shared history.
Andrew, now married to Shyla Nelson Stewart, has responded through social media—albeit indirectly. Shyla took to Facebook to defend her husband’s honor when Martha’s comments resurfaced amid the documentary promotion. Her post described Andrew as "a brilliant publisher, avocational naturalist, and nature photographer," emphasizing the lovely life they have built together.
Stressing her unwavering support for Andrew, Shyla acknowledged the hardships he faced before their current relationship. She stated, “Prior to this happy chapter of his life, Andy had some dark ones, including a painful and abusive marriage to Martha.” Shyla's remarks highlight her frustration with Martha's inclination to discuss the past publicly, alleging it continues to create unnecessary drama nearly four decades after their divorce.
Shyla's post painted a starkly different portrait of the Stewart marriage, insisting Martha was the abusive partner. “While Andy quietly moved on,” she mentioned, “it appears Martha continues to publicly relitigate the marriage.” The couple's statement was both poignant and protective, aiming to clarify their stance and push back against what they viewed as mischaracterizations.
Despite the tension stirred by the documentary, the Stewarts aim for positivity. They concluded their public message with wishes for Martha to find love and peace, reflecting their current state of happiness. Shyla described how she and Andrew have cultivated “a life infused with true love,” which sharply contrasts the pain she attributes to Andrew’s past marriage.
Martha and Andrew were married from 1961 until their divorce was finalized in 1990. During their time together, they had one daughter, Alexis Stewart, who was born in 1965. The couple’s fate unraveled after years filled with infidelity and strife, with both spouses admitting to affairs during the marriage. Martha openly discussed one incident during which she kissed another man on her honeymoon, illustrating the couple's deep-rooted issues.
She reflects on how she felt mistreated by Andrew and claims he also treated her poorly. “He treated me really badly,” Martha recounted, “And, in return, I guess I treated him badly.” This acknowledgment of mutual fault lays bare the complexity of their relationship, highlighting the imperfect nature of their shared history.
Andrew countered Martha's claims of his infidelity, insisting he remained faithful until discovering her own disloyalty. He expressed regret over how his past has become fodder for media drama. According to sources close to Andrew, his friends feel Martha seems unable to move forward after their divorce, with some even labeling it as “stalking” through her continued public comments about him.
The documentary, crafted to celebrate Martha's life accomplishments, has taken on a controversial edge due to these personal revelations. Both Martha and her viewers are reminded of past grievances, raising questions about the boundaries of recounting history and the ramifications such narratives can have on the people involved.
While it remained unclear how much longer this drama would continue, it seems to have opened old wounds for both parties. Within their statements, the Stewarts maintain their resolve to focus on the present and future—one where they are happy and thrive as partners and parents.
Overall, the discourse swirling around Martha Stewart’s documentary touches not only on personal grievances but also on broader themes of relationships, forgiveness, and the complications of public personas. The controversy is likely to resonate beyond the audience of the Martha documentary, drawing attention to how personal stories are crafted and shared, especially when they involve the kind of intimacy once shared by Murray and Andrew Stewart.
Although the documentary offers insights and reflections from Martha’s perspective, Andrew and Shyla’s defense serves as powerful testimony against it. Shyla's post reflects the reality many couples face, which often contrasts starkly with the public narratives created about their lives. The echoes of the past serve as reminders of what once was, but both couples seem committed to embracing their respective paths forward.
With the fallout from this documentary now making headlines, it is evident how complex and layered relationships can be—especially those under the unyielding spotlight of fame. Andrew Stewart, with the support of Shyla, seems intent on defining his narrative on his own terms, even as Martha reiterates her own story about their shared history.