Why Martha Stewart Wants to be Composted When She Dies

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Martha Stewart is sharing one idea she does not have in her gardening handbook.

The lifestyle expert shares lots of advice on gardening, but she dreams of a deeper connection with the earth – she even wants to be buried on her property when she dies.

On the December 2nd episode of the 50 & Unfiltered podcast, Martha revealed her wish to be buried with her horses. She explained that when a horse dies, they are lovingly wrapped in a clean white linen sheet and buried in a deep, special grave in her pet cemetery. She wants that to be her final resting place as well.

Martha doesn’t want a traditional burial. Fortunately, New York State, where she lives and owns a farm, now allows human composting, which became legal in 2022.

The 84-year-old man insisted he wouldn’t allow it, stating, ‘It won’t harm anyone, and it’s my land. Those coffin-like structures and everything else? Absolutely not.’

Host Shawn Killenger admitted that, surprisingly, the idea wasn’t entirely shocking to her, even though it was unusual.

Shawn turned to Martha and said, “Five people actually told me before I asked you this – they all predicted you’d be really embarrassed!”

For more of Martha’s wildest confessions, read on.

Plus, this is a way she can spend eternity with her beloved animals.

In a 2019 interview with The Cut, the author shared their love for their many pets and dedication to their well-being. They explained that they believe pets thrive with companionship, which is why they always have at least two of each animal – for example, they wouldn’t have just one goose, but a pair.

She has a clear idea of what she wants for herself after she’s gone, but she also considers what her friends would choose if they were reborn. Martha shared that many of them actually want to return as her pet!

For more of Martha’s wildest confessions, read on.

Let me tell you, everyone has a story, and mine is no different! When I was 19, and still going by Martha Kostyra, I experienced something very personal with the man who would become my husband, Andrew Stewart. He was a law student at Yale at the time, and it was a special moment for both of us.

Let me tell you, in the new Netflix documentary about my life, Martha, I share something a little unexpected. Someone described a certain someone as being very assertive, and honestly? I was drawn to that energy. I’ve always appreciated a bit of strength and directness.

Martha didn’t see her kiss with another man during her and Andrew’s European honeymoon in 1961 as a serious problem, despite it potentially foreshadowing future difficulties in their marriage.

She described the kiss with the stranger – which happened at a Florence cathedral on Easter eve – as a spontaneous and passionate moment, not something wrong or disloyal. ‘It was just a fleeting connection,’ she explained, ‘and it felt wonderful. I think everyone deserves to have an experience like that sometime.’

Okay, so I was watching this documentary, and Martha finally confessed! Apparently, back when she was a stockbroker in the sixties, she had a little fling – she called it a ‘very brief affair’ – with this incredibly handsome Irish guy. I mean, Martha Stewart having a secret romance? It’s amazing! I’ve been obsessed with her forever, and this just adds another layer to her fascinating life. A handsome Irish man… I need details!

She insisted she would never have interfered with a marriage. She described what happened as insignificant, comparing it to a brief, innocent kiss – something like a fleeting moment in a cathedral.

She accused Andrew of cheating multiple times, even though he consistently denied it until she admitted she was the one who had been unfaithful.

I wasn’t the one being unfaithful. He was the one running around with other people,” she explained. “I’ve always said I’m a swan, and swans are known for being with only one partner for life.”

When Martha Stewart had her daughter, Alexis, in 1965, she embraced the opportunity to develop her natural motherly instincts.

She recalled in her memoir, Martha, that having children young was common at the time. It was simply what people did. She used to think motherhood came naturally, but now realizes that isn’t necessarily true.

Oh my gosh, I’ve read everything about Martha and Alexis, and it’s just so heartbreaking! Martha told People magazine a while back that she really tried to be close to Alexis, she wanted to be involved in every part of her life. But as soon as Alexis got the chance, she went away to boarding school! Martha says they’ve always had a complicated relationship, a tough mother-daughter dynamic, but even with all that, they’d do anything for each other. It’s just…so sweet and sad all at the same time, honestly!

In 2004, Martha was convicted of conspiracy, obstructing justice, and lying to investigators related to an insider trading investigation, and she served five months in federal prison at Alderson.

She once got in trouble after admiring a guard’s appearance and then touching the guard’s large keychain, briefly forgetting she was in prison, as she recounted in her memoir, Martha.

Martha explained that the woman was put in solitary confinement for simply touching a guard. She wasn’t given any food or water for an entire day, despite the facility being ironically nicknamed ‘Camp Cupcake’.

After getting out of prison in March 2005, Martha Stewart felt she needed to rebuild her life, and appearing on daytime television seemed like a good way to start.

Although Martha Stewart has been the public face of many projects throughout her career, she says hosting her show, Martha, for seven seasons felt more restrictive than her time in federal prison at Alderson.

In a February 2024 episode of her podcast, Martha Stewart revealed she’s never had a facelift. However, she shared that her dermatologist, Dr. Daniel Belkin, has used Botox on her neck and jawline, and also administered filler to her cheeks and jawline.

Belkin mentioned they’d also experimented with skin tightening using ultrasound, and she remembered getting a Fraxel laser treatment on her body.

“I’m really happy with how my chest and neckline look now,” Martha told the doctor. “It’s thanks to your work and doing Pilates.” She also credited her glowing skin to a healthy lifestyle – she makes a daily green juice with fresh ingredients from her garden and makes sure to stay active.

Martha Stewart said she enjoys being around Snoop Dogg when he smokes marijuana, even though she doesn’t participate herself. She shared this on the first episode of her podcast in 2022, while he was a guest.

She admitted it made her feel good and didn’t hinder her focus at all. In fact, she believed it actually improved her concentration, and didn’t cause any tiredness or other negative effects people often associate with marijuana. She thought it was wonderful.

Martha enjoys a well-made cocktail, but one particular spirit has always bothered her, ever since her days as a student at Barnard College.

She shared with Snoop at the 2024 New York City Wine & Food Festival that she drank so much gin in college, she’s never touched it since.

She said to her friend, who was finally releasing the alcoholic beverage he’d been working on for three decades, “I’m so excited to try your Gin & Juice!”

Unclear if she did!

Incidentally, though Martha is practically synonymous with white wine, she is not a day drinker.

Okay, so she told The Cut this, and honestly, it just proves how dedicated she is! She never touches her drink before dinner – not even a sip! She said she’d be totally useless if she tried to have it at lunchtime or anything. It’s like, it’s a ritual, you know? Dinner is the only time. I just… I get it! It’s perfect!

Martha prefers to wear her swimsuit instead of underwear, so she’s always ready for a quick swim.

The cover model for the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue revealed to Page Six that she prefers wearing bathing suits as her everyday underwear. She explained that she avoids restrictive or lacy underwear, and only wears suits from the brand Eres beneath her clothing.

During a 2013 appearance on Watch What Happens Live!, Martha Stewart admitted to having a one-night stand when asked by Andy Cohen. She also revealed she’d sent flirty texts and playfully hinted at potentially having participated in a threesome.

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2025-12-09 23:18