Martha Stewart makes triumphant return to NYSE 24 years after quitting its board over insider trading scandal

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Martha Stewart appeared very pleased with herself on Wednesday as she rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

The 84-year-old lifestyle expert smiled brightly from the balcony of the famous Wall Street building while ringing the closing bell with Miracle-Gro’s CFO, Mark Scheiwer.

I remember when Martha Stewart had to step down from the NYSE board back in 2002 – it was such a shock at the time, all because of that insider trading issue. But honestly, seeing her come back after all that was incredible – a real turnaround for someone I’ve always admired.

I remember when the whole thing really blew up – it was awful watching Martha Stewart get indicted in 2003. Then, unbelievably, she was convicted the next year on four serious charges connected to insider trading. Even though she always said she hadn’t done anything wrong and pleaded not guilty, the jury didn’t believe her, and she was found guilty anyway. It was just so shocking to me, a dedicated follower, to see it all unfold.

Martha Stewart, known for recently commenting on Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in her affluent New York suburb, became the Chief Gardening Officer for Miracle-Gro in March 2025. This coincided with the brand’s 30th anniversary of being publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

The well-known home decor expert looked chic at the stock exchange, wearing a brown leather blouse with a long, bow-tied collar.

She wore her blond shoulder-length hair with a side part and curled it slightly at the bottom.

Stewart looked delighted as she marked the event by signing the guest book at the stock exchange, alongside NYSE Vice President Chris Taylor.

It’s remarkable to see her rebuilding her public image now, considering the insider trading scandal she faced over twenty years ago.

The problem began in 2001 when ImClone, a pharmaceutical company, discovered that the FDA hadn’t approved their promising new drug.

Once the company’s bad news became public, its founder and other leaders knew the stock price would fall. They started selling their own shares and advised family and friends to do the same.

Stewart’s involvement in the scandal was less direct. She reportedly only sold her shares after her broker warned her the stock price was about to fall.

Following a tip, Stewart sold $230,000 worth of ImClone stock. However, her involvement in the illegal insider trading only became known because of information provided by her broker’s assistant to investigators.

Surprisingly, the drug initially rejected by the FDA and at the center of an insider trading scandal was eventually approved in 2004 – the same year Martha Stewart was found guilty. This happened after ImClone worked with a partner to conduct a new, successful clinical trial and resubmit the application.

In June 2003, Martha Stewart and her stockbroker were accused of illegal activity. Prosecutors alleged that Stewart avoided losing around $46,000 by selling her stock before it dropped in value.

Stewart denied wrongdoing in court, but stepped down from her roles as chairman and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, remaining on the company’s board of directors.

The popular self-help author immediately claimed she had done nothing wrong, taking out a full-page advertisement in USA Today the day after being formally accused.

In a public statement, she firmly stated her innocence and promised to work to prove it.

In March 2004, Stewart was found guilty of conspiring to mislead investigators, obstructing justice, and lying to a federal investigator. This conviction came after a more severe charge, which could have resulted in a 10-year prison sentence, was dropped.

However, she was found not guilty on the remaining charges.

She received a five-month prison sentence in July, followed by five months of home confinement, two years of probation, and a $30,000 fine.

Stewart served her sentence at the Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia. 

After her release, Stewart hit the ground running to kickstart her comeback. 

Martha Stewart successfully relaunched her magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and started a new cooking show with her own name. She even hosted a short-lived version of The Apprentice, marking a remarkably smooth return to public life.

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2026-02-12 09:49