The Wealth and Success of Danielle Steel: Best-Selling Novelist and Philanthropist

Estimated read time 4 min read
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FactDetail
Full NameDanielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel
Date of BirthAugust 14, 1947
Place of BirthNew York City, New York, United States
SpousesClaude-Eric Lazard, Danny Zugelder, William Toth, John Traina, Tom Perkins
Number of Books PublishedOver 190
Estimated Net Worth (2023)$350 million
Philanthropic WorkSupports various causes including mental health awareness, education, and wounded U.S. service members and their families
Notable Awards and HonorsFrench Legion of Honor (2002)

Danielle Steel is an American novelist and philanthropist who has sold over 800 million copies of her books worldwide, making her one of the best-selling authors of all time. She was born on August 14, 1947, in New York City to a wealthy family.

Steel began writing at a young age, but it wasn’t until she was in her mid-thirties that she published her first novel, “Going Home,” in 1973. Since then, she has written over 190 books, including romance novels, thrillers, and children’s books, many of which have become international bestsellers.

In addition to her success as an author, Steel has also been involved in various philanthropic causes throughout her life. She is a member of the board of directors of the Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, and she has supported organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

As of 2021, Danielle Steel’s net worth is estimated to be $350 million, making her one of the wealthiest authors in the world. She has sold millions of copies of her books, which have been translated into 43 languages and published in 69 countries.

Steel has been married five times and has nine children. She splits her time between residences in San Francisco, Paris, and New York City, and continues to write and publish books to this day.

Here is a timeline of the major events in Danielle Steel’s life:

1947: Danielle Steel is born on August 14th in New York City.

1965: Steel graduates from the Lycée Français de New York and begins attending Parsons School of Design to study fashion design.

1967: Steel marries her first husband, Claude-Eric Lazard, a French banker.

1973: Steel publishes her first novel, “Going Home.”

1975: Steel divorces Lazard and marries her second husband, Danny Zugelder.

1980: Steel’s novel “Crossings” becomes a bestseller and is adapted into a TV miniseries.

1981: Steel divorces Zugelder and marries her third husband, William Toth.

1982: Steel’s novel “Kaleidoscope” is published and becomes an instant bestseller.

1984: Steel divorces Toth and marries her fourth husband, John Traina.

1993: Steel’s son, Nicholas Traina, dies of a drug overdose at the age of 19.

1998: Steel divorces Traina and marries her fifth husband, Tom Perkins.

2002: Steel is awarded the French Legion of Honor for her contributions to French culture and literature.

2006: Steel publishes her 100th novel, “Rogue.”

2014: Steel donates $1 million to the Lone Survivor Foundation to support wounded U.S. service members and their families.

2021: Steel continues to write and publish novels, with over 190 books to her name and an estimated net worth of $350 million.

Here are five interesting facts and five quotes from Danielle Steel:

5 interesting facts:

  1. Steel writes for up to 20 hours a day, often producing multiple books in a year.
  2. She started writing as a way to cope with the loss of her son, Nicholas Traina.
  3. Steel has a fear of flying and has been known to take a boat or train to her international book tours.
  4. She has sold more than 800 million copies of her books worldwide, making her one of the best-selling authors of all time.
  5. In addition to her philanthropic work, Steel is an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken publicly about her own struggles with depression.

5 quotes from Danielle Steel:

  1. “Sometimes, if you aren’t sure about something, you have to just jump off the bridge and grow wings on your way down.”
  2. “It’s better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your life.”
  3. “I’m interested in people who have to overcome obstacles to achieve something.”
  4. “If you see the magic in a fairy tale, you can face the future.”
  5. “I do believe that when we face challenges in life, that’s when we are forced to grow.”

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