The Untold Truth: 5 Shocking Revelations About Andy Stewart And His ‘Painful’ Marriage To Martha Stewart

In late 2024 and early 2025, the decades-old story of Martha Stewart’s first and only marriage was dramatically thrust back into the spotlight, not by the lifestyle guru herself, but by her ex-husband, Andrew "Andy" Stewart. For years, the details of their 29-year union, which ended in a contentious divorce in 1990, remained largely a matter of historical record. However, the release of the Netflix documentary *Martha* has prompted Andy Stewart and his current wife, Shyla Stewart, to break their long silence, offering an explosive and deeply personal rebuttal to the documentary's portrayal of their former life, including claims that the marriage was "painful" and “abusive.” The narrative surrounding the power couple who built a media empire together has always been complex, but Andy Stewart’s recent public statements—made through his wife—have added a raw, new layer of controversy. This deep dive explores the full biography of the man who stood beside Martha Stewart during her formative years, details the contentious divorce, and unpacks the current, fresh fallout from the documentary that has forced him to speak out after decades of silence.

Andrew 'Andy' Stewart: A Complete Biographical Profile

Andrew "Andy" Stewart is a prominent figure in the publishing world, though he is most widely known for his nearly three-decade-long marriage to Martha Stewart. His career path is marked by significant achievements in book publishing, a field he entered despite his initial training in law.

• Full Name: Andrew Stewart (often referred to as Andy Stewart).
• Education: Attended Yale Law School.
• First Marriage: Martha Stewart (née Kostyra). Married in 1961 when Martha was 19. Divorced in 1990.
• Child: Alexis Stewart (Born September 27, 1965).
• Current Wife: Shyla Nelson Stewart (a publisher and activist).
• Career Highlights:
  • Served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., a major art and illustrated book publisher.
  • Co-founded the renowned publishing house Stewart, Tabori & Chang (ST&C), which specialized in high-quality illustrated books on cooking, lifestyle, and design. This company was instrumental in shaping the market for the kind of lifestyle books Martha Stewart would later dominate.
  • Currently serves as Publisher Emeritus at Fieldstone Publishing, a company where his current wife, Shyla Stewart, is the President and CEO.
• Current Status: Active in publishing and nature photography, residing in the American West with his wife, Shyla.

The Rise and Fall of the Stewart Power Couple: 1961–1990

The relationship between Andy Stewart and Martha Kostyra began in the early 1960s, a time when both were ambitious young students. They met on a blind date, and Martha was reportedly drawn to his serious and intellectual nature. Their marriage in 1961 marked the start of a nearly 30-year partnership that was foundational to Martha’s eventual empire.

A Partnership Forged in Ambition and Publishing

Andy Stewart’s influence on Martha’s early career is undeniable, though often understated in her public narrative. The couple initially moved to Westport, Connecticut, where Martha began her catering business. Andy, meanwhile, was building his own successful career in the competitive world of publishing, eventually leading Harry N. Abrams and co-founding Stewart, Tabori & Chang. His professional connections and understanding of the illustrated book market provided a critical blueprint and network for Martha’s eventual pivot into media and publishing. It was during this period that their only child, Alexis Stewart, was born in 1965. The couple’s life was characterized by a blend of high-powered careers, social prominence, and the meticulous restoration of their historic Westport farmhouse, Turkey Hill, which became the backdrop for Martha’s early work.

The Bitter Divorce and Decades of Silence

The marriage began to unravel in the late 1980s, reportedly due to the immense pressure and intensity of both their careers, as well as infidelity on Andy's part. The divorce was finalized in 1990 and was notoriously bitter, with Martha later describing the split as a devastating personal event, saying, “The life that I had is over.” Following the divorce, Andy Stewart largely retreated from the public eye, concentrating on his publishing career and his subsequent relationships. He eventually married Shyla Nelson, a fellow publisher and environmental activist, and the couple settled in a quieter, more private life, dedicated to their work with Fieldstone Publishing. For over three decades, the former couple maintained a strict, non-contact relationship, a silence that only one thing could break: a documentary.

The Netflix Documentary Fallout: Andy and Shyla Stewart Speak Out

The release of the Netflix documentary *Martha* was intended to be a comprehensive look at the life and career of Martha Stewart. However, its portrayal of her first marriage—particularly the events leading up to the divorce—sparked a furious reaction from Andrew Stewart and his current wife, Shyla. This reaction is the freshest, most significant news related to the couple in years.

The ‘Painful’ and ‘Abusive’ Marriage Claims

In a series of public statements made by Shyla Stewart on behalf of her husband, the couple vehemently disputed the documentary’s narrative, which they felt unfairly characterized Andrew. Shyla Stewart stated that the marriage was "painful" and "abusive," and that the documentary failed to capture the true complexities and difficulties of the relationship. These claims suggest a deep-seated resentment and a very different perspective on the marriage than the one often presented in the media. Shyla Stewart emphasized that the documentary’s depiction was a "one-sided narrative" and that Andrew Stewart had endured a difficult experience during his time with Martha. This public intervention is highly unusual for a man who has actively avoided the spotlight for decades, underscoring the severity of his objection to the documentary’s content.

Shyla Stewart: The New Voice of Andrew Stewart

Shyla Nelson Stewart has become a key entity in this renewed public discussion. As Andrew’s third wife, she has taken the role of his public advocate, using her voice to push back against the "revisionist history" presented in the documentary. Shyla, who is the President and CEO of Fieldstone Publishing, has also shared that Andrew Stewart is a passionate nature photographer, focusing his life on creative pursuits and a quieter existence away from the high-stakes world of celebrity. Her decision to speak out is a clear attempt to protect her husband's reputation and provide a counter-narrative to the one being consumed by millions of Netflix viewers.

The Legacy of Alexis Stewart: The Only Child

The one entity inextricably linked to both Andrew and Martha Stewart is their daughter, Alexis Stewart. Born in 1965, Alexis has carved out her own career in media and radio.

Alexis Stewart's Career in Media

Alexis Stewart, like her mother, has pursued a career in broadcasting and media. She is best known for co-hosting the popular Sirius Satellite Radio show *Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer*, and later, the television spin-off, *Whatever, Martha!* and *Whatever, You’re Wrong!* These shows often featured a humorous, sometimes critical, look at her mother's lifestyle and perfectionist image, highlighting the strained, yet public, nature of their relationship.

Family Life and Grandchildren

Alexis is a mother to two children, Jude and Truman, who were born via surrogacy. This has made Martha Stewart a grandmother, a role she often discusses with pride. While Alexis’s relationship with her mother has been a frequent topic of discussion, her connection with her father, Andrew Stewart, is much less public. The fact that the entire family—Andrew, Martha, and Alexis—has been dragged back into the public eye due to the documentary highlights the enduring, complex legacy of their original family unit.

Andrew Stewart’s Net Worth and Current Ventures

While Martha Stewart’s financial success is legendary, Andrew Stewart has also built a substantial, albeit less publicized, fortune through his long career in high-end publishing. His estimated net worth is generally placed around $1.5 million, though such figures are often speculative and difficult to confirm for private individuals. His current focus as Publisher Emeritus at Fieldstone Publishing, alongside his wife Shyla, centers on creating books that champion environmental causes and promote sustainable living, reflecting a significant shift in focus from the commercial lifestyle empire he helped build decades ago. His dedication to nature photography is a personal passion that aligns with the mission of his current publishing house. The enduring story of Andy and Martha Stewart is a powerful reminder that behind every public empire, there is a private, and often painful, personal history.