Ina Garten Addresses Falling Out with Martha Stewart, Says Martha's Story 'Isn't Exactly Accurate' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ina Garten and Martha Stewart.Photo:Michael Loccisano/Getty; Michael Simon/Getty

Michael Loccisano/Getty; Michael Simon/Getty

Ina Gartenis addressing herfalling out with Martha Stewart.During a live Q&A at the PEOPLE offices on Dec. 5, Garten, 76, spoke about her former friendship with the lifestyle mogul. Stewart, 83, hadpreviously claimedthat Garten stopped speaking to her after Stewart went to prison in 2004 — but now Garten said that’s not true.“Well, let’s just say her story isn’t exactly accurate,” Garten rebutted.“And, you know, that was 25 years ago,” she added with a laugh. “I think it’s time to let it go.“The celebrity chefs met in the Hamptons, N.Y., in the 1990s. While friends, Garten wrote a column forMartha Stewart Living.Stewart also brought a publisher to Garten’s specialty food store The Barefoot Contessa, which led to Garten landing her first book deal.Garten — who released her latest book, a memoir,Be Ready When the Luck Happens, on Oct. 1 — toldThe New Yorkerin Septemberthat distance was the reason the friendship ended. According to Garten, she and Stewart lost touch when she moved to Connecticut and Stewart stayed in New York.Stewart told a different story. “When I was sent off to Alderson Prison, she stopped talking to me,” Stewart said. On the Oct. 20 episode ofWatch What Happens Livewith Andy Cohen, Stewart made similar claims.Ina Garten’s book, ‘Be Ready When the Luck Happens’.CrownStewart’s publicist added toThe New Yorkerthat she was “not bitter at all and there’s no feud.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.At the Oct. 21 NYC premiere of herNetflix documentaryMartha, Stewart told PEOPLE that a reconciliation between her and Garten was unlikely.“She’s into her own thing,” Stewart said. “That’s okay.“Garten’s memoir,Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is available now.

Ina Gartenis addressing herfalling out with Martha Stewart.

During a live Q&A at the PEOPLE offices on Dec. 5, Garten, 76, spoke about her former friendship with the lifestyle mogul. Stewart, 83, hadpreviously claimedthat Garten stopped speaking to her after Stewart went to prison in 2004 — but now Garten said that’s not true.

“Well, let’s just say her story isn’t exactly accurate,” Garten rebutted.

“And, you know, that was 25 years ago,” she added with a laugh. “I think it’s time to let it go.”

The celebrity chefs met in the Hamptons, N.Y., in the 1990s. While friends, Garten wrote a column forMartha Stewart Living.Stewart also brought a publisher to Garten’s specialty food store The Barefoot Contessa, which led to Garten landing her first book deal.

Garten — who released her latest book, a memoir,Be Ready When the Luck Happens, on Oct. 1 — toldThe New Yorkerin Septemberthat distance was the reason the friendship ended. According to Garten, she and Stewart lost touch when she moved to Connecticut and Stewart stayed in New York.

Stewart told a different story. “When I was sent off to Alderson Prison, she stopped talking to me,” Stewart said. On the Oct. 20 episode ofWatch What Happens Livewith Andy Cohen, Stewart made similar claims.

Ina Garten’s book, ‘Be Ready When the Luck Happens’.Crown

Crown

Stewart’s publicist added toThe New Yorkerthat she was “not bitter at all and there’s no feud.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

At the Oct. 21 NYC premiere of herNetflix documentaryMartha, Stewart told PEOPLE that a reconciliation between her and Garten was unlikely.

“She’s into her own thing,” Stewart said. “That’s okay.”

Garten’s memoir,Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is available now.

source: people.com