Martha Stewart | 60 Minutes Archive

Martha Stewart's Fall and Resilience00:02

If you think that the ignominious fall from grace of Martha Stewart is the last we've heard from this remarkable woman, you do not know Martha Stewart. She seems to thrive on adversity, often leaving a wake of battered enemies and friends behind. For nine years on both 60 Minutes and 60 Minutes 2, keeping tabs on her following the arc from so-called domestic diva to corporate billionaire. In the light of her disgrace, the guilty verdict last Friday. Some of those conversations now reveal a certain irony.

Views on Material Wealth00:33

Back in 1995 at her estate in Connecticut where asked about the importance of material wealth.

To tell you the truth, I could leave this place tomorrow except for my animals and my family. I could leave this place tomorrow and not feel any sense of loss whatsoever because I know with my knowledge I could go anywhere and create a life for myself and create a feeling that I'm I feel comfortable with without having what I already have

and start all again.

Oh, sure. No problem. I wouldn't miss a thing.

Last Friday may have been her darkest day. Her finest hour came in the fall of 1999 on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange when to the sound of bells. The private Martha went public, leaving no doubt that Martha Stewart was not just living, she was reaching for the sun. The occasion was the public offering of shares in her company. 7.2 million shares. They opened that day at $18, soared to 52, and settled at $36.