5 Shocking Revelations About Martha Stewart's First Husband, Andrew Stewart, And Their 'Painful' Marriage

Andrew Stewart, the man who was married to the domestic mogul Martha Stewart for nearly three decades, has unexpectedly found himself back in the media spotlight in recent years, not just as a footnote in his ex-wife's biography, but as the subject of fresh controversy and shocking personal revelations. As of December 2025, the narrative surrounding the end of their high-profile, 29-year marriage has been dramatically complicated by new claims from Andrew Stewart’s current wife, painting a picture of a relationship far more tumultuous than previously understood.

The story of Martha and Andrew Stewart is one of a power couple who built a publishing empire together before their union collapsed in a storm of alleged infidelities. However, the most recent updates, fueled by the release of a Netflix documentary about Martha, have brought Andrew’s perspective—and the strong opinions of his current spouse—to the forefront, offering a unique and often harsh counter-narrative to the public’s perception of the iconic lifestyle queen.

Andrew Stewart: Complete Biography and Profile

Andrew Stewart, often referred to as "Andy," is a successful publisher and former legal student who was married to Martha Stewart for 29 years and is the father of her only child, Alexis Stewart. His life has been marked by a privileged upbringing, a high-achieving career in publishing, and three marriages, each with its own public drama.

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• Full Name: Andrew Stewart
• Born: Exact date and location are not publicly confirmed, but he comes from a privileged, investment banker family in New York.
• Education: Studied law at Yale Law School where he met Martha. He later obtained a Master of Laws degree from Columbia University.
• Marital Status: Currently married to his third wife, Shyla Nelson Stewart.
• Children: One daughter, Alexis Stewart, from his marriage to Martha. He has a blended family with 5 children with his current wife, Shyla.
• Career: Built a career in publishing, including time at Stewart, Tabori & Chang Inc. He currently holds the title of Publisher Emeritus at Fieldstone Publishing, where he works alongside his wife, Shyla.
• Former Wives: Martha Stewart (m. 1961, div. 1990) and Robyn Fairclough (Martha's former assistant).

The Turbulent 29-Year Marriage and Infidelity Allegations

Andrew and Martha Stewart’s marriage lasted from 1961 to 1990, spanning the crucial decades of Martha's rise from a stockbroker to a catering mogul and, eventually, a multimedia star. Their union was long and productive, but ultimately ended in a messy and public separation.

A Partnership Built on Ambition

The couple met while Martha was a student at Barnard College and Andrew was attending Yale Law School. They married in 1961. During their time together, they were a formidable team. Andrew, with his publishing background, was instrumental in helping Martha launch her career, including the creation of her first major cookbook, which laid the foundation for her empire.

The Double Infidelity and the Assistant

The marriage began to unravel in the late 1980s. The separation officially occurred in 1987, with the divorce finalized in 1990. The primary catalyst for the split was Andrew's infidelity. He became involved with Robyn Fairclough, who had worked as Martha’s assistant.

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The drama peaked when Martha reportedly discovered the affair and "kicked Fairclough out of their home." Andrew eventually left Martha, reportedly initiating the breakup. Adding another layer of complexity, Martha Stewart later admitted in the trailer for her Netflix documentary, *Martha*, that she also had an affair during their marriage, which she "kept secret" from Andrew.

The Shocking 'Painful and Abusive' Marriage Claim

The most significant and current revelation about the Stewart's marriage came to light around the time of Martha Stewart's 2024 Netflix documentary release. This new information provides a stark counterpoint to the public's perception of the divorce as a simple case of infidelity.

Andrew's Current Wife Speaks Out

Andrew Stewart’s third wife, Shyla Nelson Stewart, took to social media to defend her husband and offer a dramatically different account of the marriage. In a resurfaced Facebook post, Shyla wrote that Andrew had some "dark" chapters in his life, which included a "painful and abusive marriage to Martha (as in, Martha Stewart)."

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This claim, which was not made by Andrew himself but by his current spouse, suggests a much more fraught and toxic dynamic existed behind the scenes of the Stewart's seemingly perfect domestic life. Shyla's statement positioned the divorce not merely as a split over cheating but as an escape from a harmful situation, calling the nearly 30-year union "abusive."

The Aftermath and Andrew’s Quiet Life

Following his divorce from Martha and his subsequent marriage to Robyn Fairclough (which also ended), Andrew Stewart found stability with his current wife, Shyla Nelson Stewart. They married in 2016 and now live a quieter life, splitting their time between Lake Champlain, Vermont, and other locations.

Andrew has continued his career in the publishing world, now serving as the Publisher Emeritus of Fieldstone Publishing, a venture where he collaborates with Shyla. This current chapter of his life, which Shyla described as a "happy chapter," stands in sharp contrast to the dramatic and highly publicized years he spent with Martha Stewart.

While Martha Stewart has moved on to date other high-profile figures, such as billionaire Charles Simonyi, Andrew has remained largely out of the spotlight, focusing on his family, his publishing work, and his life far from the glare of Hollywood and the domestic empire he helped build. The resurfacing of the "painful and abusive" claim, however, ensures that the story of Martha Stewart's first husband remains a compelling and controversial piece of celebrity history.

Key Entities and Topical Authority

• Alexis Stewart: The only daughter of Andrew and Martha, who has her own media career.
• Robyn Fairclough: Martha's former assistant and Andrew's second wife, central to the infidelity scandal.
• Shyla Nelson Stewart: Andrew's current wife, who made the "painful and abusive" public claim.
• Fieldstone Publishing: The company where Andrew currently serves as Publisher Emeritus.
• Stewart, Tabori & Chang Inc.: A publishing house Andrew was involved with, showcasing his professional credentials.
• Yale Law School & Columbia University: Andrew's prestigious educational background.
• Netflix Documentary *Martha*: The media event that prompted Shyla Nelson Stewart's public statements.