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Who Is Danielle Steel?
Danielle Steel, a prolific American author, began her literary career in 1973 with the publication of her debut novel, Going Home. By the end of the decade, she had cultivated a dedicated readership with her distinctive blend of romance and drama. Her subsequent works, including The Promise, Kaleidoscope, Heartbeat, and Sisters, became bestsellers, cementing her status as one of the most widely read authors of contemporary fiction. In addition to her novels, Steel has authored a poetry book, several children’s books, and song lyrics for a music album.
Early Life
Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel was born on August 14, 1947, in New York City. She was the only child of John Schulein-Steel, heir to the German Löwenbräu beer dynasty, and Norma da Câmara Stone dos Reis, the daughter of a Portuguese diplomat. Her parents’ divorce when Danielle was eight years old marked a turning point in her early years. Split between France and New York, Steel’s childhood was marked by solitude, though she was exposed to the dramas of high society. Her love for reading blossomed during this time, and she developed an interest in fashion, eventually deciding to pursue it as a career.
After graduating from New York’s Lycée Français at the age of 15, Steel attended the prestigious Parsons School of Design and New York University. However, her academic journey was interrupted by a series of health challenges, including a tumor that led to the removal of an ovary. These struggles ultimately led her to leave college before completing her degree.
Early Career
Fluent in both English and French, Danielle Steel initially pursued a career as a translator before joining the New York City advertising agency, Supergirls, in 1968. During her tenure, a client named John Mack Carter, who was the editor of Ladies’ Home Journal at the time, encouraged her to explore a career as an author. Following his advice, Steel spent several years working as a copywriter for Grey Advertising Agency in San Francisco during the early 1970s. It was not until later that she was able to support herself by writing novels.
Books
Steel’s debut novel, Going Home, was published in 1973. Although several of her subsequent manuscripts were rejected, she achieved her breakthrough with Passion’s Promise (also known as Golden Moments) in 1977. The success of The Promise in 1978 solidified her position as a bestselling author.
Steel’s distinctive style emerged through popular works such as A Perfect Stranger (1983), Kaleidoscope (1987), Zoya (1988), Heartbeat (1991), and The Gift (1994). Her novels often feature strong, glamorous women who navigate significant challenges on their path to love and fulfillment. Despite occasional criticism for being “formulaic,” Steel has consistently topped bestseller lists with a prolific output, publishing six books annually. Recent titles include The Apartment (2016), Past Perfect (2017), and Fall From Grace (2018).
In addition to her novels, Steel has published a book of poetry, Love: Poems (1984), and the Max and Martha and Freddie children’s series. Her nonfiction works include A Gift of Hope: Helping the Homeless (2012) and Pure Joy: The Dogs We Love (2013).
Music, Art, and Fashion
With over 100 books to her name, Steel ventured into music, collaborating with a group of French composers to become a lyricist. Her album Love Notes by Danielle Steel, released in November 2013, features tracks in both English and French.
In addition to her literary achievements, Steel ran a contemporary art gallery in San Francisco for four years and continues to collect new pieces for her homes. A devoted fashion enthusiast, she is a regular attendee at haute couture fashion shows.
Book Sales and Records
According to her official website, Steel has written more than 189 books, which have been translated into 43 languages and published in 69 countries, with a total of 650 million copies sold worldwide. The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized her for having at least one book on the New York Times bestseller list for 390 consecutive weeks.
Marriages
Steel has been married five times. Her first marriage was to wealthy French-American banker Claude-Eric Lazard at the age of 18; they separated in the early 1970s and divorced in 1974.
Her second marriage was to Danny Zugelder, whom she met while he was incarcerated for robbery in 1972. They married and later divorced in the 1970s after his return to prison. Steel’s third husband, Bill Toth, struggled with a long-standing heroin addiction.
In 1981, Steel married shipping executive John Traina, with whom she found more compatibility. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 1998. Shortly after, she married venture capitalist Tom Perkins, but the couple separated the following year, and their divorce was finalized in 2002.
Children
After marrying Claude-Eric Lazard, Danielle Steel welcomed her first daughter, Beatrix, at the age of 19. Twelve years later, she had a son, Nick, with Bill Toth. Following her marriage to John Traina, he adopted both Beatrix and Nick, and together they had a large family, including children Maxx, Trevor, Todd, Samantha, Victoria, Vanessa, and Zara.
Tragically, Steel’s son, Nick, who had struggled with bipolar disorder throughout his life, took his own life in 1997 at the age of 19. In response to this heartbreaking loss, Steel wrote His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina (1998), a deeply personal account that she has described as her most meaningful book.
Movies
Over 20 of Danielle Steel’s novels have been adapted into television movies, including Crossings (1982), Once in a Lifetime (1983), No Greater Love (1991), and Safe Harbour (2003). Notably, Jewels (1992), which aired in two parts just months after its publication, earned two Golden Globe nominations: one for Best Limited Series/TV Movie and another for Anthony Andrews’ performance as Best Actor.
Foundations and Honors
In 1998, following the tragic death of her son, Steel established the Nick Traina Foundation, which supports organizations focused on mental illness, child abuse, and suicide prevention. Shortly thereafter, she founded Yo! Angel!, a charity providing food and supplies to the homeless in San Francisco.
Steel’s contributions have been widely recognized. She was honored by the French government with the title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters and later made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. In the United States, she was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2009.
Homes
Danielle Steel divides her time between homes in San Francisco, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles. Her San Francisco residence, a 55-room mansion that once belonged to Adolph Spreckels of the Spreckels Sugar Company, is famous for its privacy, with a 30-foot hedge surrounding the estate. In Paris, she resides in an apartment that was previously owned by the artist Prince, which features a unique collection of taxidermy, including a giraffe in the foyer.