Martha Stewart reveals she 'kissed a stranger' in a cathedral during her honeymoon in Italy
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Martha Stewart made a surprising revelation about an encounter with a stranger during her five-month honeymoon in Europe with her ex-husband, Andrew Stewart, shortly after their wedding in 1961.
The 83-year-old lifestyle icon recounted the whirlwind memory in her Netflix documentary, 'Martha', as per Fox News. It will be available to stream on the platform on October 30.
Martha Stewart kissed a stranger at Duomo Florence Cathedral during her honeymoon
During an intimate interview with director RJ Cutler, Martha Stewart recalled the moment she experienced in Florence, Italy, the night before Easter—a memory that still holds its intensity decades later
Her story offers a glimpse into her adventurous spirit and her candid reflections on love, marriage, and youthful spontaneity.
According to Martha, she and Andrew decided to spend five months traveling across Europe to celebrate their union, a journey that led them to some of the continent’s most enchanting cities.
During one leg of the trip, the couple arrived in Florence, Italy, on the evening before Easter.
Martha, eager to explore the city’s renowned sites, ventured out to the famous Duomo Florence Cathedral alone, while Andrew opted to stay at their hotel.
Recalling her visit to the cathedral, she shared with Cutler, "He didn’t have any interest in going to the Duomo with me."
Surrounded by the awe-inspiring art and architecture, Martha described the atmosphere as "very romantic" and "crowded with tourists," adding, "Listening to that amazing music in the cathedral… It was a very romantic place, crowded with tourists, and I met this very handsome guy."
As they shared the ambiance and atmosphere of the cathedral, Martha felt an emotional connection with the stranger.
"He didn't know I was married. I was this waif of a girl hanging out in the cathedral on Easter Eve. He was emotional. I was emotional. It’s just because it was an emotional place," recalled the television personality.
The beauty of the expansive dome and surrounding artwork captivated her senses and intensified her feelings.
In this unexpected setting, Martha shared a kiss with the stranger, an act she fondly remembers for its spontaneity. "It was like nothing I had ever done before. And so why not kiss a stranger?" added the 83-year-old.
Martha Stewart on her relationship with Andrew Stewart
As their conversation delved into the deeper emotions tied to the memory, RJ Cutler sought clarification on whether Martha Stewart felt the moment was, in any way, morally ambiguous.
"Were you being, you know, what’s the word I’m looking for?" asked Cutler, to which Martha playfully responded, "Naughty?"
When pressed further about whether it could be seen as infidelity, the Emmy-winning television host firmly disagreed, stating, "It was neither naughty nor unfaithful. It was just emotional of the moment. That’s how I looked at it. And it was exciting because, I mean, it was a very emotional place. I wish we could all experience such an evening."
Martha's reflections extend beyond her honeymoon to the early days of her romance with Andrew.
The two were introduced in 1960 when Andrew’s sister arranged a blind date between them. At the time, Martha was attending Barnard College in New York City, while Andrew was studying at Yale Law School.
Their first date left a lasting impression on her—Andrew's charm, adventurous spirit, and even his car stood out to the young Matha, who recalled with admiration, "I had never been in a Mercedes before. We went out to dinner. He was very polite and handsome, and he had traveled a lot. It was exciting to me—a sophisticated young man."
She noted that his American Express card was particularly notable at the time, adding to his allure as someone worldly and intriguing.
From that first night, Martha was taken by Andrew's charismatic and intriguing personality. She admitted, "By the end of dinner, I was madly in love."
Her life changed drastically after returning from the honeymoon, as she navigated the complexities of settling down and starting a family.
Reflecting on that transition, Martha admitted that she struggled with the abrupt shift back to reality in New York City after her extended travels. She shared, "I was 19 years old, and I didn’t want to go home."
Martha and Andrew welcomed their only child, daughter, Alexis Stewart, in 1965. The couple decided to part ways in 1987 and they divorced in 1990.
During an interview with Cutler, Martha revealed that Andrew had multiple affairs during their marriage as well as admitted that she had also been unfaithful to him.
