Martha Stewart, Worth $400M, Dresses as 'Homeless Person' for Halloween, Deletes Post After Backlash

Martha Stewart, whose net worth is estimated at $400 million (£300 million), has come under fire for dressing as a homeless person for Halloween.

The 85-year-old lifestyle entrepreneur shared a photo of her costume on Instagram on Saturday, 31 October, wearing torn clothes with what appeared to be dirt smeared across her face. She also held a sign reading, 'I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!'

The photo appeared in an Instagram post promoting candles Stewart sells through QVC, drawing criticism from social media users who accused her of making light of homelessness. Some also questioned why someone reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars would dress as a person begging for food.

Stewart later removed the photo and defended her costume, saying she wanted to raise awareness of homelessness rather than offend anyone.

Martha Stewart Responds to Halloween Costume Backlash

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Sunday, 1 November, Stewart said her costume was intended to draw attention to homelessness and that she was upset by the reaction. 'I am distressed that my Halloween costume yesterday ... has offended people,' she said, adding that causing offence had never been her intention.

Stewart explained that she has spent decades sharing Halloween recipes, craft ideas and entertaining tips with her followers, describing the holiday as one of her favourites. She also described homelessness as one of America's most serious ongoing problems and said she has spent considerable time supporting charities working to address it.

'I am committed to continuing to make a difference,' she added. However, Stewart did not name the charities she supports or explain whether her Halloween costume was connected to any fundraising effort.

She also did not address criticism over the photo appearing alongside a promotion for her QVC candles, nor did she explicitly apologise for the costume.

Social Media Users Slam Martha Stewart's 'Homeless' Costume

Stewart's Halloween photo quickly attracted criticism online, particularly because it was included in a post promoting her seasonal merchandise.

According to TMZ, the original Instagram caption encouraged followers to purchase her QVC candles for Halloween.

Screenshots circulated on Reddit after the photo was removed. Some commenters described the costume as 'offensive', 'gross' and 'out of touch', while others questioned the contrast between Stewart's reported $400 million fortune and her portrayal of someone asking for food.

It remains unclear who removed the photo or whether the decision was directly prompted by the backlash.

US Homelessness Remains Near Record Levels

Homelessness remains a major problem in the United States, despite a slight decline in the latest federal figures. According to a Congressional Research Service report updated in July 2026, 745,652 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2025, down 3.3% from the record 771,480 counted in 2024.

Of those counted, 479,332 were staying in shelters or temporary accommodation, while 266,320 were living without shelter. The figures represent a single-night count rather than everyone who experienced homelessness during the year.

Although Stewart said her costume was meant to raise awareness, there is no confirmed evidence that the Halloween post was part of a charitable campaign.