Martha Stewart returns home from prison

"The experience of the last five months ... has been life altering and life affirming," Stewart said in a statement issued on her Web site. "Someday, I hope to have the chance to talk more about all that has happened, the extraordinary people I have met here and all that I have learned."

Stewart can return to work, start drawing her $900,000 salary again and even throw lavish house parties as long as she doesn't invite any criminals. She must wear an electronic anklet to allow authorities to monitor her movements.

The homemaking maven left the women's prison in Alderson, W.Va., at 12:30 a.m. Friday and headed to a nearby airport, where she smiled, waved to supporters and boarded a private jet for the hour flight to New York.