Martha Stewart, 84, Reveals Her Burial Plans — Here's What the Internet Thinks

Struck by lightning, unfazed by death, and planning a deeply personal farewell, the 84-year-old lifestyle icon opens up about the life few truly know.

TV personality and businesswoman Martha Stewart has lived through some extraordinary moments, but none of them appear to have made her fear death.

She recently made the comments during a candid appearance on the "50+ & Unfiltered" podcast with host Shawn Killinger, where she opened up about her practical approach to end-of-life planning.

What Martha Stewart Revealed in a Rare Podcast Interview

When Killinger asked whether she had ever experienced a near-death moment, Stewart simply answered, "No." Surprised, Killinger followed up, "Are you sure? Because I read that you were struck by lightning?" Stewart responded, "Oh, but that wasn't fatal."

She then described three separate lightning incidents from her life. "I saw the lightning, just looking out the window, washing dishes," she said. "And the lightning came zig-zagging down to the well casing... and then all of a sudden, it came out of the faucet in the water and zapped me right in my stomach and threw me on the floor."

The second event was equally unexpected. "I was on the phone, doing something in the kitchen, and I saw lightning come down the skylight, right through the phone into my ear," Stewart recalled.

The third incident happened while she was gardening, which she joked made her feel she was "attractive" to lightning strikes. Despite the nature of the incidents, Stewart emphasized she's never considered them life-threatening.

Instead, she spoke more seriously about her actual end-of-life plans, revealing that she intends to have a natural burial on her own property. "Oh, I'm going to be composted," she said.

Stewart's Connecticut estate has a designated burial area for animals, including a pet cemetery, as she told Killinger:

"When one of my horses dies, we dig a giant hole really deep in one of my fields — we have a pet cemetery — and the horse is wrapped in a clean white linen sheet and very carefully dropped down into this giant, lovely grave. I want to go there."

When the podcast host asked Stewart if that kind of arrangement was legal, the TV personality didn't hesitate to say, "Why not? It's not going to hurt anyone. It's my property." She added, "These coffin things and all that stuff? No way."

Instagram users praised her comments with warmth and humor. One commenter wrote, "Yes green burials are a thing, and so beautiful ❤️." Another remarked, "So Martha Stewart is her own power source, everything's starting to make sense now." A third added, "Even in death, Martha is pragmatic and efficient."

How Martha Stewart Made History at 81

In May 2023, Stewart became the oldest person to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She described the opportunity as thrilling and said it reflected her belief in staying open to change. She added:

"I hope this cover inspires you to challenge yourself to try new things, no matter what stage of life you are in. Changing, evolving, and being fearless - those are all very good things, indeed."

Later, in a chat with Sports Illustrated Editor-in-Chief MJ Day, Stewart looked back at some of the photos. One showed her lounging on a sofa in a white swimsuit. "Beautiful," she said. When Day praised her "Pilates legs," Stewart laughed and replied, "They are."

In another shot, Stewart wore a bold red Norma Kamali swimsuit with a scarf, a look she has loved for years. She also mentioned that Kamali has been a close friend.

In a third image, she emerged from turquoise water in a silver-toned suit and sunglasses. Day described the photo as "chic," "modern," "carefree," "exuberant," "strong," and a "little sassy."

Inside Martha’s Routine: Simple Wellness Habits That Power a Fearless Life

Behind the camera-ready image is a strong set of daily habits. On her website in April 2025, Stewart said her energy and health come from simple, consistent routines. She wears sunscreen every day, gets regular facials, and avoids injectables.

Each morning begins with a green juice made from pear, cucumber, celery, parsley, and ginger, her way of staying focused and feeling good.

She practices Pilates every other day to maintain flexibility and strength. She also keeps her mind sharp with crossword puzzles and makes it a point to read. "It's terribly, terribly important that we learn something new every day," she said.

Stewart added that, at its core, it's about constantly expanding what you know, so one person can hold real conversations and actually teach others something new. She values friendship and connection, too. Her well-known bond with rapper Snoop Dogg is just one example.

For Stewart, aging well means living fully, not trying to stop time. "I think all of us should think about good living and not about aging. The whole aging thing is so boring," Stewart said.

Farm Life, Structure, and Staying Grounded: How Martha Stewart Keeps It All Running

That same mindset carries over to Stewart's Bedford, New York farm. In an August 2025 update, she shared that she keeps a tight schedule: writing out weekly task lists for her team. Jobs shift with the seasons, including pruning, weeding, mulching, watering, and maintaining irrigation systems during dry spells.

Watering is done early in the morning to reduce evaporation. Stewart uses tools from Gilmour, a brand she also keeps at her property in Maine. Mulching is handled with extra care, especially beneath the pin oak trees near the front entrance.

Behind the greenhouse, she grows floribunda, hybrid tea, and shrub roses. Each plant is pruned with precision. In the vegetable garden, tomato vines are tied to bamboo stakes, and beans are harvested at peak ripeness.

Near the chicken coops, hawthorn trees planted in 2020 are trimmed regularly to maintain their shape. Stewart also produces her own compost, which feeds the plants and helps keep the soil healthy and weed-free. She uses it to fertilize newly planted lilacs and other landscaping throughout the property.

Her animals are part of the routine as well. Horses are groomed and walked, dogs rest in the shade, and all animals are fed on a regular schedule.

Supplies and debris are moved using off-road vehicles and dump trucks to keep operations efficient. "It's never a dull moment here at my farm, but my hardworking crew is getting it all done!" she stated.