Martha Stewart Talks About Her Time In Jail | Letterman

Martha explains why she chose to go to prison instead of appealing her verdict.
(From "Late Show," air date: 9/19/05)
#marthastewart #letterman
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[@TinyDancerO]

No crying from Martha, she took it on the chin and served her time like a champ, and got on with her life when she was released. LOVE HER!

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

If it had been a Man he'd have had a slap on the wrist

[@TinyDancerO]

@@lesleymcshanemitchell9651, Nah, Martha got off pretty lightly compared to others. She was sentenced to five months of prison, five months of house arrest, and two years of probation. the CEO of ImClone and Martha's buddy, Stewart Waksal received 7 years, but was released after five.

[@angelabluebird609]

@@TinyDancerO No, actually, she received a sentence others who committed the same did not.

[@ColonelMarcellus]

She got right back with her life. She didn't lose her job, she didn't exit prison completely broke, and she's richer than ever.

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

@@ColonelMarcellus Yes and was just featured on the Front Page of classy magazine. Way to go girl

[@tiffsaver]

My admiration for MS just went up a hundred times after watching this. While most celebrities would have refused to answer ANY of these tough questions, she really stepped up to the plate. I was incredibly impressed.

[@rockturtleneck]

Gotta give props to Martha. I live in the same town as her and she is great about supporting the local businesses and restaurants.

[@b.k8051]

somebody's got moneyyyyyyyyy

[@jv-ep2tc]

when she left westport the townfolk signed a big card at a local shop. the card basically said "good riddance". she was most unpopular THERE.

[@jv-ep2tc]

@@b.k8051 how do you know? I used to live in oyster bay cove but that doesn't make me WR Grace.

[@amdistant5547]

Yeah with crooked money.

[@amdistant5547]

@@jv-ep2tc She'll do anything for money. Can't stand her personally.

[@mervinprone]

Total witch hunt. She’s a killer in business but this was a ridiculous charge. She was also very patient with Dave. Really admire her tenacity.

[@larrywakeman4371]

SO TRUE my mother and father said that they arrested her to take the eye off of the D*MS and what they do - she was used as a patsy and it is terrible.

[@cajayson8301]

It was so overblown in the media. Men have done far worse but received scant attention but, most importantly, evaded prosecution Ken Lay was undergoing prosecution at the same time for FAR worse (I'd know, being a lifelong Californian), yet the newscasts gave a miniscule of coverage juxtaposed with Martha. I'd say it's both a case of her being in a man's world and building an empire from scratch. Much of these men were fortunate to have a silver platter bestowed upon them from birth....Martha, through blood/sweat/tears, elevated her business to international boundaries within a minimal amount of time

[@ninamartinez5171]

What happened to Martha Stewart is what i call being railroaded plain and simple what a dame disgrace. 😢

[@patt5085]

For the amount of 40k. It was so ridiculous.

[@Rebeka1589]

She set her boundaries with grace and that’s so admirable.

[@franklinstephen3268]

Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊

[@TheJlee28]

She made a wonderful prisoner 😂

[@beatricewoods8377]

​@@TheJlee28she got even bigger

[@TheJlee28]

@@beatricewoods8377 she’d lost weight and networth. 😆

[@moorenicola6264]

I love this side of Martha. She's such a good sport about it all and can obviously take a joke.

[@hank1519]

I think that Yale had a good effect on Martha. I like her a lot these days

[@JoeZaccaris]

I read James Comey's book and he said he really didn't wanna make the case on Martha --- he said it was a huge waste of taxpayer dollars

[@margokupelian344]

Yes, she can take a joke and make a counter joke herself. Strong woman! And graceful.

[@AC3handle]

Martha goes to jail for what was considered insider trading. Meanwhile, there are congress people and senators who dumped or bought stock up right before the covid announcement, and are STILL serving.

[@martingardens]

Sickening, isn't it?

[@joannhanson3397]

I don't think the term "serving" is appropriate, they certainly have proven repeatedly that they do not serve us.

[@AC3handle]

@@joannhanson3397 They are SUPPOSED to represent us, and there are a few who do, and do a fantastic job. Just that most have become Career politicians and that encourages people to play THE Game, which breeds it's own level of corruption, by making people think doing certain things is alright. The fact they are not getting punished for these things, reinforces that it is, for them, alright.

[@lorenaperrodin8210]

Amazing how the rules apply to some but not others

[@classicalforkids5558]

that is not related to her case. Why are you bringing it up? There are plenty of people who commit crimes. Those are separate cases.

[@steveeuphrates-river7342]

I think Martha handled the questions with total class

[@0dulesduds]

She went to prison for what the our representatives are doing every day and every night.

[@thewolfdoctor761]

trump has done many things that are 1000 times worse and he will never spend a day in jail.

[@paulchezkari6952]

Thinking this very fact😮

[@JoeZaccaris]

China Donnie committed many crimes that are 100X worse

[@nicolemonrue]

Um hmm Nancy Pelosi

[@classicalforkids5558]

@@nicolemonrue and the many republicans yes.

[@johncornell3665]

Martha was a good sport. Hats off to her. 5 months in "Yale" would not be easy on anyone, let alone a celebrity. Great interview. Thanks Dave!

[@DrVVVinK]

You think she had it bad? As for being a celebrity goes think Jared from Subway would rather be in "Yale" then in the Max.

[@kgs2280]

@@DrVVVinK What she was sent up for has no comparison to what Jared from Subway was. Her crime/mistake was nowhere in the same universe as something like pedophilia. Yes, bottom line, she broke the law as did he, but you can’t compare her, even remotely, to someone who committed something that our society considers one of the most egregious crimes, and just short of murder. As pointed out in other comments, what she did, while illegal, is something that is practiced, every day, by many, many of our highest level politicians without any pushback or consequences at all. Yes, she’s a celebrity, which I’m sure caused her to be viewed, and possibly treated, somewhat differently than others in “Yale”, but she also handled it with an amazing level of grace and dignity, as well as humor. I have a thousand times more respect for her now than I did before her time in “Yale”.

[@TPMCAC]

When she would get down at prison she would take her antidepressants and go play tennis. It was rough.lol😂

[@michaelryley]

Ohhh I've been waiting for this one, a great interview. Love seeing it restored. "You didn't visit me" - Martha knows how to own a room

[@DrVVVinK]

One time when she was on before one of the Superbowls to make some kind of snack, Dave made a great wise crack about her time in jail. I think Justin Bieber was on that night too.

[@jedijones]

I'm disappointed Dave didn't ask her if she got a tattoo in prison.

[@classicalforkids5558]

she's talking about anything except her insider trading.

[@kgs2280]

@@classicalforkids5558 So? First, Dave didn’t ask her about that, plus, everyone knows what she was in for, it was discussed thoroughly in court and the media, and she did her time with class. I’m sure there would have been no desire on her part to re-hash that, as the interview was primarily about how she handled the situation she found herself in, and she did a very good job of that.

[@camlacasse3760]

@@classicalforkids5558 It WAS NOT insider trading - it was lying to a FBI agent and it is called obstruction.

[@juliekostas7322]

Having worked on Wall St for many years I can assure you that so many people of done worse and roam free. They made an example of her- plain and simple.

[@maryrichter7040]

No men went to jail for the same crime that occurred.

[@ninamartinez5171]

Im beyond confused actually according to madam speaker Nancy Pelosi, there wasn't no law against inside trading and that was just as recent as 2023 if i recall ? what seriously doesn't make a dame bit of sense is Martha Stewart, has stated that she's in appeals ? How is that supposed to work if in fact after Nancy Pelosi's dealings they supposedly changed the laws regarding inside trading along with several other new laws making them against the laws to insure that no one else will be able to do what she's done ? Like ive said very confusing that's my personal opinion.

[@1993tmoli]

No you didn’t

[@darryl2542]

She's really charming and funny here. Very self-aware and relaxed about it.

[@heatherboo1]

Wow. So inspiring. She does not play the victim. I admire her attitude so much.

[@PoetiqueMs]

I had no idea she had such a good sense of humor, and have actuallynever seen this side of her. Respect.

[@elisemiller13]

@PoetiqueMs Just watch a few videos of her with everyone from Snoop Dog to Robin Williams. She knows how to be silly. She seems to be the kind of person the humor comes out when she's got someone to "play" with.

[@jamasp1951]

Good for her for having a sense of humor about what happened to her, especially given that many politicians do this day in and day out with no consequences! That would make me mad if I were her!

[@BroadwayBabyyy744]

Shes got one of the greatest senses of humor ever...especially in showbusiness. She moved on while cracking jokes and yet again reinvented herself. She was so strong during this. Ive often felt she was a scapegoat for her business associates and lawyers.

[@kcinks]

I love her, great sense of humor, open ,honest and VERY nice looking!

[@vickip6813]

Love Martha she’s a rebel ! She has came back stronger than ever!

[@sabineliebehenz4492]

I like when she said, she had every week a guest instead of visitor. Super smart lady! Highly disciplined, intelligent and even funny.

[@shivapejman8155]

She’s amazing, truly.

[@billtodd999]

I did not see this live when first aired. I am glad I found it on KZbin. She is really remarkable.

[@jamesleaver1391]

Straight up OG gangsta. Martha should run the whole show.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Its hard not to like her. 😊

[@ronaldacarlson211]

I love Martha! At the time of her arrest or shortly thereafter, my daughter bought stock in her company as a way to show support. What a marvelously entertaining interview.

[@davidplants]

Martha and Dave! Two of my favorite people. Good chemistry!

[@classicalforkids5558]

your favorite person is a convict?

[@macm3081]

One of my favourite people is tommy chong. He was also a convict. You got a problem with that?

[@shellohween]

When she asked him if he was in trouble 😂 LEGEND I love her❤

[@ksc743]

Omg a million things going through my head right now 1. I cannot BELIEVE this was almost 20 years ago!!! 2. Martha is prettier now than in 2005🥰 3. Yale instead of jail🤣 4. I could listen to Martha Stewart ALL DAY💃🏻

[@lynnetmb4706]

You need glasses.

[@waterbourne9282]

Good, sincere, and thoughtful interview with great interchange. Well done to both David and Martha.

[@bennyjoey8444]

Let’s celebrate a criminal

[@marilyn6556]

@@bennyjoey8444She didn’t do anything that isn’t being done by the so-called leaders in this country. They have some of the Biden family members on tape talking about their illegal payoffs from foreign countries.

[@catherinegigliotti1368]

She has always been an awesome guest on all talk shows. She has a great sense of humor, and she looks great on Sports Illustrated 👍 👏 Love her with Snoop, but she is good with you too, David.

[@classicalforkids5558]

Yay for criminal behavior she looks great!

[@kgs2280]

@@classicalforkids5558 What is your point? She did her time, as required by our justice system, for what she did, which is something many of our politicians do every day but will never be punished for. Is she supposed to forever look bedraggled and morose for making a mistake and being punished for it? She did her time, and it’s over, period. I think she showed immense class, dignity and humor in her response to it, and she serves as a great example of how to deal with her situation with dignity. She never denied what she did, and she accepted her punishment with honesty and integrity, and without whining or throwing a tantrum, as many do. I think she would be a great example to young people of how to behave as an adult after being caught doing something wrong. Admit it, accept responsibility for it, and accept your punishment without complaint, then move on. It’s not as if she killed someone, after all.

[@teachmywordministries277]

Love that she was more concerned for her employees than for herself. What a beautiful soul.

[@chasbo25]

I can't put my finger on it, but I have always liked her. Perhaps I like the fact she's a tough lady that plows through all the BS thrown at her. She should have never gone to jail; fines sure, probation OK, jail, Nope. Plenty of our current politicians should be in jail.😎 Our government is upside down F*cked. She's a very smart and funny woman and easy on the eyes as well.

[@DRthistle]

No wonder she's good in business she knows the game and how to play it.

[@gleander4405]

In a weird way…I feel like Martha’s jail sentence actually helped her public image. I used to think of her as cold & sterile, and now view her as a beloved, more approachable figure. 💖

[@robertfenyk3132]

💯

[@billdivine9501]

It absolutely did, she now has street cred which I think led to her friendship with Snoop.

[@kimberlypatton205]

I can see Martha becoming the “Tank boss!” .. organizing the hospital corners on the bunks and giving tips on how to properly mop the cells!

[@susanschultz8182]

Love Martha! Doesn’t cry in her coffee-just get through it. You go girl!

[@shirleyjhaney1041]

I hadn’t realized she’s so cool and funny and sharp.

[@malex4321]

I have the most respect and adoration for this woman.

[@Nurturing2]

Martha looks so BEAUTIFUL❣️ She is a WARRIOR!!!

[@93Jubilee]

What courage! I admire her so much! All the very best to you, Martha!

[@93Jubilee]

Ha! I started to "like" this comment, thinking, I totally agree with this person! Then . . realized it's ME!

[@margaretswiatek5062]

I am here in USA 40 years and I love Martha Steward from the first day almost , a least when I hear about Her. Since than nothing changed and I actually love Her more each day. Love Her show, magazines I have some books and I try to watch everything about her or with Her. I am from Poland , actually born there, I know we have strong bones and mind genetically. She is so positive and hard working , she is great role model for young people specially women 👍🥰

[@franklinstephen3268]

Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊

[@skdjirrrdjdm3926]

She is so tough! I love her positivity and honesty.

[@lindawoody8501]

Martha is smart, feisty, funny and talented. Wonderful businesswoman.

[@neilhassanali316]

She is hugely intelligent and a remarkable person. Someone probably had a vendetta against her.

[@buickinvicta288]

James Comey prosecuted her.

[@watchinvidzwatchinvidz7691]

I love that she said... I don't know!!! As she laughs. She is a strong lady. They didn't break her.

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

She was railroaded. The positive spin is she was well-liked by the inmates because she did a lot to help them. There were stories where the inmates would protect her when the paparazzi would hover around the prison to get shots of Martha in jail.

[@Hunter-sm8nd]

That's really cool. Do you remember where you read that by chance?

[@IanBrownMakeUpArtist]

A person of character. ❤

[@walkerpantera]

i have an absolute whollllle new admiration for this woman. wow!

[@classicalforkids5558]

You admire a convicted criminal? Amazing.

[@kayladonnrichardson7384]

@@classicalforkids5558 Do you think that anyone with a conviction has no redeeming qualities?

[@aboutdawntoday]

I love her.I remember this,it was so shocking she went to jail. I remember thinking she was railroaded...or something like that.

[@jshepard152]

She was.

[@jonwoodbury4581]

An old interview but amazingly , Martha ! If only the corruption in Washington could be exposed , we'd have to build a new prison to house them all. 🤔

[@elizabethann9152]

Oh my God I forgot how glorious she was/is. She deserves the last word, which she will always have, because she is Martha.

[@camlacasse3760]

She is marvellous. Long ago, before she was so well-known, we had her as a guest (Junior League) and she brought a few boxes of her first cookbook. Of course she signed all the copies we bought. Her talk that day was about how one could use baskets in serving a meal and displaying food items. Well, that summer every invite for dinner included baskets -- it was our summer of baskets in Houston, Texas. Lots of fun - thank you Martha Stewart. I did write you at "Yale" and didn't get an answer, didn't really expect an answer.

[@garretthaines3744]

Martha is such a legend. How could you not like her?

[@DistractedDaisy]

Martha is like the Dolly from New York! She’s the boss and a very lovely person!

[@kkmt5292]

Totally agree horrific! Classy lady!

[@mariapilarme]

Very smart woman no man it’s going to win any battle with her. In my opinion was just to teach her a lesson, and she taught a lesson to everyone else.

[@camlacasse3760]

Honestly, how dare a woman get so mighty in our supposed to be all male society!

[@cauha12]

@@camlacasse3760this! Lets not act like men dont get intimidated by powerful women

[@MikeHarrison-x5z]

Great interview and so impressive how she kept moving forward through this ordeal.

[@szeming143]

Martha and Dave always have good chemistry! Great interview!

[@mmpotash1]

Ditto. Martha was a good sport. Hats off to her. 5 months in "Yale" would not be easy on anyone, let alone a celebrity. Great interview. Thanks Dave. At the age of 79 I was recently falsely accused by young angry man in a mens bathroom. There was a verbal argument and nothing more. What followed that day was like a scene from 'Dante's Inferno', complete with shackles and chains. My pro bono lawyer and I are currently awaiting our day in court in a couple of weeks, and this positive interview has given us extra strength to expect the best outcomes through truth and prayer. Amen.

[@auroraaurora2420]

What happened? You’re ok?

[@marquitalarson2547]

I’ve seldom watched Martha and knew little about her. I always thought maybe she was just another rich snob. I never dream she could be this funny

[@Edeskenney]

What a wonderful woman.

[@classicalforkids5558]

She is a convicted criminal. That is wonderful to you? amazing

[@camlacasse3760]

@@classicalforkids5558 Trump pardoned her so she no longer has any record.

[@helengarrett6378]

Insider trading, isn't it?

[@janetspiritofthelivinggod6328]

@@classicalforkids5558 They say she lied. You've never lied? Have you ever paid for your sin, but people never let you forget it? Why do you feel like you need to be her perpetual judge I wonder?

[@lisabrightly]

When Martha got out, someone captured her saying "I do as I please, and I do it with ease". To this day, that is my go to quote!

[@mattdemes3454]

Love these two together! Can you show the segments of them from Nov. 2000? He was teasing her about Thanksgiving and making a Beef Wellington.

[@joannfagen4457]

Martha is what a strong American woman looks like. God bless her. Her personality is always so friendly. She loves her country which shows in every thing she does.

[@sheilalynch6145]

And she didn’t whine like so many do. I greatly admire her for that.

[@auroraaurora2420]

I love Martha!! I Wish i paid more attention to her shows and her life. My name is Martha also, spelled Marta and I’m Polish!

[@PHOTOCONVENTION]

She's so stoic.

[@julaygaalfred5096]

Great woman of strength

[@Barb5001]

It might be because this was Martha's first real exposure to the more common people which she seemed to embrace.... that made her a happier person in the end. A jail can take you freedom away but it can never remover one's sense of humor

[@theriddlerUSA]

I love and admire Martha Stewart. ♥️

[@bkny555]

Martha, you are an inspiration!

[@joc8092]

she handled the interview better than Paris Hilton

[@QueenofNonSequitur]

Thanks for showing original air date.

[@ML-xi2rt]

She is REMARKABLE ❤

[@loranv3435]

❤SHE'S A CLASS ACT, A SOLID LADY GO GETEM MARTHA. LUV FROM CANADA ❤

[@classicalforkids5558]

We love you and your law breaking Martha! Go commit some more crimes! We love you in Canada.

[@lovegodlivealoha3352]

If a class act has a prison record!

[@sandyfader4649]

“Am I more attractive?” she asked. And Dave quickly responded “yes, yes you are”. She is a bad bad girl. Love and respect her then and now.

[@paulaplanslife4018]

I'm liking Martha Stewart more and more just because of her confidence, resilience, and positivity. She wants to learn something new every day. When we're in the worst situation, we can think of what we could learn from it.

[@myrasmama]

I love her, she is so cool!

[@timmy13duffy]

She is such a delight.

[@DemocracyFirst2025]

Grace personified

[@faithsfarmlife1424]

I have great admiration for her . She has done very well.

[@trishr.3986]

I always bought Martha Stewart gardening tools and they were the best. Maybe that doesn't seem important, but it proved to me years ago that she's quality, and very gracious.

[@ErikA-un2yw]

Love Martha....she's the kindest crook of them all!! She did her time, she learned,,,,since she's flourished x10. Wish her well!!❤🎉

[@CGStaggs]

This shows why she is so successful. Dave was an ass to continue the line of questioning as he did, but she handled him very well. I have never been a follower of her show, but I tremendously admire her business acumen and her mindset. People can learn a lot from her.

[@piratessalyx7871]

Just slaps her name on made in china junk....yeah real business

[@CGStaggs]

@@piratessalyx7871 Actually, that IS a valid business model. She never claimed to invent anything that bears her name, just as the athletes don't claim to have invented the shoes that bear their endorsement. Do you think the owners of Walmart stores or the Great Value brand are in the warehouse building the things they put on their shelves? She also had other aspects to her business, much of it based on her own skills with gardening, decorating, etc. She employed a lot of people, and she did her best to protect them. I find that admirable.

[@Green.heron24]

I agree, Dave overstepped asking too much about jail. He could have asked more about her hopes and dreams for the future. She did her time.

[@grimdrum2396]

What an intelligent, strong, delightful, and beautiful woman. I could fall deeply in love with her!❤

[@davidhutchinson5233]

She is still even now, so beautiful.

[@marylynevans385]

So sad she’s had to go through all this…But glad to know this side of her.She’s strong and so funny.What’s not to love

[@joannfagen4457]

Martha is strong like her mother. Love both of them.

[@martyemmons1859]

I love the way she looks at her camera and laughs/giggles. That is a very attractive characteristic. I wonder if that's natural, and if she smiles, laughs and giggles like that off camera.

[@SnakesGaming2016]

she is incredibly charming

[@panini79]

I miss Letterman every day

[@marlinhall8298]

Completely unflappable! I like Martha a lot more than I used to (which was none) after watching this.

[@kgs2280]

Same here.

[@SWExplore]

I love Martha Stewart throughout it all!!! ❤

[@danielneece6404]

I never realised how good looming Martha is.

[@mariannegoins3610]

I love Martha. Shes the real deal.

[@colleencorbett8002]

The Netflix documentary about her life was so good. Huge fan of Martha!!

[@paololuckyluke2854]

Definitely way above the average intelligence of interviewees nowadays.

[@marktatum2592]

Way to go Dave. 👏

[@fengtube56]

I start to love this lady! She should be our life model!

[@judytaylor3099]

What a great lesson for all of us.