Martha Stewart's memory board

Mary Carr Martha was born Martha Kostyra in Jersey City. She was the second of six children.

Mary Carr Stewart appeared in a commercial for Unilever — one of the many modelling jobs she would do as a teen and young woman. She modelled for brands including Chanel.

Mary Carr Martha married Andrew Stewart. The marriage lasts until 1990, when the couple divorce.

Mary Carr In the 1970's, Stewart and her husband bought a farmhouse dating from 1805. In renovating the home, Stewart's flair for design and styling became clear. The farmhouse became the model for her later TV show Martha Stewart Living.

Mary Carr Stewart started a successful catering business from her basement. Soon after, she became manager of gourmet food store the Market Basket, and then went on to start her own store.

Mary Carr When Stewart's husband's publishing house released a new book, they contracted Stewart to cater the launch. There she met Alan Mirkin, head of Crown Publishing Group. He convinced her to create a cookbook.

Mary Carr Entertaining, Stewart's first book (ghost-written by author Elizabeth Hawes), was released. This glossy, mammoth, practical book is said to have revolutionized the way people entertained at home.

Mary Carr Martha Stewart's Quick Cook was the next in a plethora of cookbooks that Stewart released in the 80s. These included Martha Stewart's Hors D'oeuvres (1984), Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts (1985), Weddings (1987), and Martha Stewart's Secrets for Entertaining. She has published more than 90 books in her career.

Mary Carr Stewart began publishing Martha Stewart Living magazine in a deal with Time Publishing Ventures. Circulation of this quarterly magazine started at 250,000 copies, and had exceeded 2 million by 2002.

Mary Carr Stewart's weekly television program, the half-hour Martha Stewart Living, launched. In 1997 the show's popularity saw it run on weekdays, but in 1999, it moved to an hour-long program with 30-minute episodes shown on weekends.

Mary Carr Stewart received the Golden Plate Award for exceptional achievement from the American Academy of Achievement, a not-for-profit educational body.

Mary Carr In profiling Stewart, New York Magazine declared her "the definitive American woman of our time".

Mary Carr Stewart embarked on her mass-market product business with the launch of the Martha Stewart Everyday brand through US megachain KMart. It began with a line of bed and bathroom fashions and paint colors, but later expanded to include furnishings and kitchenware.

Mary Carr Stewart bought the range of ventures relating to her print, television and merchandising around her brand, and created the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia company to control them. At the same time, she launched the Martha Stewart Living companion website and catalogue business, called Martha by Mail.

Mary Carr The Martha Stewart Show, a very popular variety talk show, first aired. In 2006 it was nominated for 6 Daytime Emmy Awards, including Best Host and Best Show.

Mary Carr Martha's guide to running a business, The Martha Rules, was released.

Mary Carr Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, containing more than 200 recipes, was launched, and became an instant hit.

Mary Carr Martha Stewart Floor Designs by FLOR, a partnership for Stewart-designed eco-friendly floor coverings, was launched. It was one of several such partnerships, which involved brands including Berhardt furniture and Lowe's.

Mary Carr The first homes in a housing design and construction partnership between Stewart and developer KB Homes, were finished. The houses carried Stewart's name.

Mary Carr Stewart appeared as herself in Ugly Betty, a comedy-drama series. She gave Vanessa Williams' character advice on preparing the Thanksgiving turkey.

Mary Carr In a move in to food products, Stewart announced a deal with Costco to offer fresh and frozen foods under the Kirkland Signature brand. In the same year, she partnered with winery E&J Gallo to produce Martha Stewart Vintage wines.

Mary Carr Stewart launched a new line of upmarket homewares for US department store Macy's, including cookware, dinnerware, bedding and more.

Mary Carr Martha Stewart's Cooking School, a 30-minute cooking tutorial, debuted on PBS.

Mary Carr Stewart appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, where she played a school headmistress in the episode "Learning Curve".

Mary Carr Stewart teamed up with her friend, music artist Snoop Dogg, to create new TV show Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, which included recipes, games and special guests.

Mary Carr Martha Knows Best, a show dedicated to gardening, launched. In it, Stewart helps viewers and her friends solve gardening problems.