Martha Stewart Opens Up About Her Vitiligo Diagnosis—And We Love Her For It
Martha Stewart, the 83-year-old business mogul and lifestyle icon, recently revealed that she has vitiligo, an autoimmune disease and skin pigmentation disorder that causes loss of color in patches of skin and hair. (We’re geeking out—welcome to the club, Martha!)
Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) conference held the first week of March 2025, Martha opened up about her vitiligo diagnosis and how it has impacted her over the years. While she didn’t go so far as to embrace the condition (quite the opposite), her story brings greater vitiligo awareness, shedding light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide—and we’re so grateful for it.
Martha Stewart’s vitiligo journey
During her talk, Martha shared that she first noticed white patches on her skin in the early 1990s, around the time of her divorce. She associated the onset of her autoimmune skin condition with stress, as emotional and physical stress are often believed to be potential triggers for vitiligo.
Martha recalled that she initially didn’t have many vitiligo treatment options, as medical advancements were limited at the time. A doctor from Brazil once offered her herbal treatments to dye her skin, but she declined. In the conversation, she alluded to the notion that her vitiligo has repigmented, saying, “I think I’m cured.” While vitiligo does not have a cure today, vitiligo can repigment over time and especially with the help of vitiligo treatments. However, vitiligo is typically a lifelong condition.
What is vitiligo?
In case you’re new to this disease (thanks for being here), vitiligo is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment. As a result, those with vitiligo develop white patches on various parts of their hair and body, including the face, hands, arms, and legs. Vitiligo is not contagious and affects approximately 1% of the world’s population.
You may be familiar with vitiligo because of Michael Jackson, who openly shared his diagnosis during the Oprah show in 1993. In fact, Martha joins a growing list of famous people with vitiligo that includes other celebrities like Winnie Harlow, Jon Hamm, Holly Marie Combs, Dean Edwards, and the late Michaela DePrince.
Why vitiligo awareness matters
Despite so often presenting as a highly visible condition, vitiligo also carries a burden that is highly invisible. The psychological and social toll for those living with vitiligo can be heavy and life-changing, leading to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Vitiligo can create a sense of loss of identity and result in a strong social stigma tied to bullying, negative comments, and more.
Despite the growing embrace of vitiligo in mainstream media and culture (we see those Target billboards and vitiligo Barbies), the reality is that many of those living with vitiligo need support—support like treatment, therapy, support groups, camouflage and more. And resources and support for vitiligo—while having grown significantly over the past decade—are still very much an unmet need.
Why we’re thankful to Martha for sharing her vitiligo story
While Martha didn’t go so far as to embrace the condition like some public figures who have vitiligo have (hi, Winnie Harlow), her willingness to open up about having vitiligo drives much-needed awareness for the condition and the millions of people living with it. Celebrity voices carry weight, and her story will drive awareness of this condition within homes around the world.
Her honesty in describing her experience with vitiligo—calling it “disfiguring”—is also a moment of vulnerability and unfiltered truth about the realities of living with vitiligo. While many people today do embrace their skin and their newfound identity through it, many more struggle significantly with the mental, emotional, and social burdens. Martha’s decision to share this viewpoint makes her a champion for the unmet needs of this community and the quieter voices within it too—and we applaud her for that.
Summary
Martha’s willingness to open up about her experience with vitiligo is a milestone moment for this autoimmune disease and the millions of people impacted by it around the world. By sharing her story, Martha is helping to normalize conversations about vitiligo, empower others who may feel self-conscious about their appearance, and drive awareness around the unmet needs for this skin disease.
Do you have vitiligo or know someone who does?
Do you, or does someone you know, struggle with vitiligo? While 1% of the world lives with vitiligo, the reality is that most people don’t know someone else with the condition—and it can be hard for close loved ones to truly understand what it’s like to live with vitiligo. That’s why community—connecting with others with vitiligo—is so important.
Living Dappled is a digital magazine and community helping women with vitiligo find health and happiness. Subscribe to Living Dappled for free to get inspiration and stories about life with vitiligo, along with the latest medical information and research. Join our membership network to connect with our community of women with vitiligo.
Sources
NewBeauty. “Martha Stewart Opens Up About Her Vitiligo Diagnosis.” NewBeauty, March 2025. https://www.newbeauty.com/martha-stewart-vitiligo-diagnosis-aad-2025/
American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Vitiligo: Overview.” AAD, accessed March 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/vitiligo-overview
American Academy of Dermatology Association. “Vitiligo: Diagnosis and Treatment.” AAD, accessed March 2025. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/vitiligo-treatment
Global Vitiligo Foundation. “Vitiligo Facts.” Global Vitiligo Foundation, accessed March 2025. https://globalvitiligofoundation.org/vitiligo-facts/
