Martha Stewart is addressing criticism after sparking backlash for dressing up as a homeless person for Halloween.The lifestyle mogul, whose net worth is estimated at $400 million, spoke out after deleting a photo of her costume from social media.In a statement to Page Six on Sunday, Nov. 1, Martha Stewart said she was distressed by the negative reaction and insisted her intention was to raise awareness about homelessness.Golden Heart Awards 2026 Benefiting God's Love We Deliver - Source: Getty“I am distressed that my Halloween costume yesterday, which was intended to bring more awareness to the very serious subject of homelessness, has offended people, which was never my intention.”Martha Stewart also emphasized her involvement in supporting organizations addressing the issue, describing homelessness as one of America's greatest ongoing challenges.“Homelessness continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic.”Martha Stewart net worth: Inside the lifestyle mogul’s wealthMartha Stewart has an estimated net worth of $400 million, built through decades of work as an entrepreneur, television personality, author, publisher, and lifestyle expert.According to CelebrityNetWorth, the American businesswoman turned her expertise in cooking, entertaining, gardening, decorating, and homemaking into a multimedia and merchandising empire.Her business ventures have included bestselling books, magazines, television programs, newspaper columns, retail products, licensing agreements, radio, digital media, restaurants, and branded consumer goods.Martha Stewart initially worked as a model before moving into finance as a stockbroker on Wall Street. She later entered the catering business, which helped launch her career as a lifestyle authority.In 1982, she published her first book, Entertaining, establishing the foundation for her growing brand.One of the biggest milestones in her career came with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. The company went public in 1999, and the mogul’s shares were valued at approximately $1.2 billion.This achievement made her America's first self-made female billionaire.Her fortune later declined as the company's stock price fell, although her name remained a valuable brand across publishing, television, and consumer products.In 2015, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia was acquired in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $353 million, marking another major chapter in the business empire she had built.Meanwhile, Stewart also rebuilt her career after serving five months in federal prison following her conviction on charges related to the ImClone stock investigation. She later returned to television and licensing, partnered with rapper Snoop Dogg, and continued expanding her brand.FASHIONPHILE x Assouline Book Of Iconic Bags Launch Event - Source: GettyBorn Martha Helen Kostyra on Aug. 3, 1941, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Stewart was the second of six children. Her mother taught her cooking and sewing, while her father introduced her to gardening.She began modeling as a teenager and continued working in the industry while attending Barnard College, graduating in 1962 with degrees in history and architectural history.In her recent interview with People, Stewart, who has five decades of experience as a businesswoman, shared her advice on being an entrepreneur.“Every day starts at zero, and you have to go from there. If you’re talking about money, talk about the end of the day and examine what you’ve done, what have you earned and what have you learned.”