Danielle Steel

At 76 years old, Danielle Steel has this physical status:

Dominique Schuelein-Steel, born August 14, 1947, is an American writer best known for her romance books.

She is both the best-selling fiction writer of all time and the fourth best-selling fiction writer of all time, with over 800 million copies sold.

Steel has published more than 179 books, many of which are juggling up to five projects at once. She has resided in California for the bulk of her career.

Despite "a pervasive lack of critical acclaim" (Publishers Weekly), all her books have been bestsellers, even those that were published in hardback.

Her formula is fairly consistent, often involving wealthy families coping with a crisis that is posed by invisible elements such as jail, manipulation, blackmail, and suicide.

Steel has also published children's fiction and poetry, as well as increasing funds for mental health treatment.

Her books have been translated into 43 languages, with 22 of them adapted for television, including two that have been nominated for Golden Globe Awards.

1947–1965: Early life

Danielle Fernandes Schuelein-Steel was born in New York City, France, to a German father and a Portuguese mother. John Schulein-Steel, her father, was a German-Jewish immigrant and a descendant of the Löwenbräu brewery's owners. Norma da Camara Stone dos Reis Reis' mother was the daughter of a Portuguese diplomat. She spent a large portion of her childhood in France, where she was invited to her parents' dinner parties from an early age, giving her the opportunity to see the riches and famous's lifestyles. When she was eight years old, her parents divorced, and she was mainly raised by her father, with little to see her mother.

Steel began writing stories as an infant, and by the time she was in her late teens, she had begun writing poetry. She was raised Catholic and dreamed of becoming a nun in the early years. She studied literature analysis and fashion design at Parsons School of Design first, then at New York University.

Steel began writing while attending New York University, finishing her first novel at 19. Steel was employed by a New York public relations firm called Supergirls. After being impressed with her freelance papers, a client, Ladies' Home Journal editor John Mack Carter, encouraged her to concentrate on writing. He suggested that she write a book, which she did. She then moved to San Francisco and worked as a copywriter for Grey Advertising.

Going Home, her first book, was released in 1973. The novel had many of the themes that her writing would be well-known for, such as a focus on family issues and human relationships. Passion's Promise and Now and Forever, the two books that launched her career, was influenced by her second husband's relationship. With the success of her fourth book, The Promise, she became a fixture of San Francisco high society.

Steel had been a near-permanent fixture on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestsellers lists since 1981. She appeared on the Guinness Book of World Record for the most weeks of any author, 381 weeks at this point. Steel is a prolific writer, with multiple books a year. Each book takes 212 years to finish, so Steel has the ability to handle up to five projects at once, examining one book and outlining another while outlining another, and then writing and editing additional books. Every one of her books has achieved bestseller lists in paperback, and every one that has been published in hardback has also been a hardback bestseller.

Steel also expanded to non-fiction during this period. Having a Baby was first published in 1984 and included a chapter by Steel about miscarriage. Love: Poems was her first book of poetry published in the United States this year. She also ventured into children's fiction, conceiving a series of ten illustrated books for young readers. These books, also known as the "Max and Martha" series, are designed to support children with real-life challenges: new babies, new school, love of a loved one, etc. In addition, Steel has written the "Freddie" series. These four books explore other real-life situations: the first night away from home, a trip to the hospital, etc.

Despite the fact that adoption records in California are still sealed, Steel sued a writer who wanted to reveal in her book that her son Nick was adopted by her then-current husband John Traina. A San Francisco judge upheld a very unusual decision that allowed Nick's adoption to be reversed, although he was still a child. A California appeals judge found that her son's adoption did not have the same privacy protection as her brother's, and that the book was allowed to be published.

In 2003, Steel Gallery in San Francisco, which displayed modern art and displayed the paintings and sculptures of emerging artists, after years of near-constant writing. In 2007, the gallery was closed. For the Andrea Schwartz Gallery in San Francisco, she continues to curate shows a few times a year.

Steel was ranked by the French government in 2002 as an Officier of the Ordre des Lettres for her contributions to world culture.

She has additionally received:

Steel and Elizabeth Arden decided to launch Danielle Steel's Danielle Steel in 2006, which was the first perfume to be launched.

Beatrix, a French-American banker, was born in 1965 at the age of 18 and gave birth to their daughter Beatrix. In 1972, the company of Steel and Lazard were separated. Steel was still married to Lazard while visiting an inmate in a jail near Lompoc, California, where Zugelder was also jailed. He was convicted of working with Steel in June 1973, but he was released in 1974 on robbery and rape charges. She married Zugelder in the prison canteen after receiving her divorce from Lazard in 1975. Steel was involved in several miscarriages throughout their time together. In 1978, she divorced Zugelder.

While pregnant with her child, Nick, Steel married William George Toth, her third husband, in 1978. In March 1981, the couple divorced.

Steel married vintner John Traina for the fourth time in 1981. Nick, Steel's nephew, was adopted by the traina and given his name. Samantha, Victoria, Vanessa, Maxx, a fashion stylist, and Zara were all together as children. Steel often wrote at night, determined to spend as much time as possible with her children, although she made do with just four hours of sleep. In 1995, Steel and Traina were divorced.

In the early 1980s, she faced many challenges; instead, she completed an eight-week course based out of the San Francisco airport to overcome her fear.

Thomas James Perkins, a Silicon Valley financier, married Steel for the fifth time, but the marriage was not consumable after four years in 2002. Steel has said that her book The Klone and I was inspired by a private joke between herself and Perkins. Perkins' novel Sex and the Single Zillionaire were dedicated to Steel in 2006.

Steel's long-time home was in San Francisco, but the bulk of her time is spent in Paris's second home. Spreckels Mansion, a 55-room San Francisco home built in 1913 as the mansion of sugar tycoon Adolph B. Spreckels.

Despite her public image and a variety of pursuits, Steel is a shy person, and she seldom gives interviews or make public appearances.

Nicholas Traina, Steel's uncle, died by suicide in 1997. Traina was the lead singer of San Francisco punk bands Link 80 and Knowledge. Steel wrote The Nonfiction Book His Bright Light about Nick's life and death to pay tribute to his memory. Proceeds from the book, which made it to the New York Times Non-Fiction Bestseller List, were used to create the Nick Traina Foundation, which Steel operates, to fund organizations devoted to mental health problems. Steel has lobbied for legislation in Washington, and has held a fundraiser every two years (known as The Star Ball) in San Francisco to raise money for children's mental stability. She established Yo Angel Foundation in 2002 to assist the homeless.

Personal life

At the age of 18, Steel married French-American banker Claude-Eric Lazard and gave birth to their daughter Beatrix. In 1972, Steel and Lazard were separated. Steel was still married to Lazard and Danny Zugelder while interviewing an inmate in a prison near Lompoc, California, where Zugelder was also incarcerated. When he was released in June 1973, he joined Steel but was arrested in early 1974 on robbery and rape charges. She married Zugelder in the prison canteen after being barred from Lazard in 1975. During their friendship, Steel suffered several miscarriages. In 1978, she divorced Zugelder.

When pregnant with her child, Nick, Steel married her third husband, William George Toth, in 1978. In March 1981, the couple divorced.

For the fourth time in 1981, steel was married to vintner John Traina. Nick, the Steel's son, was adopted by the traina and gave him his family name. Samantha, Victoria, Vanessa, Maxx, a fashion stylist, and Zara were all together, having five children. Steel often wrote at night, determined to spend as much time as possible with her children, but she had to make do with just four hours of sleep. In 1995, Steel and Traina were separated.

In the early 1980s, her fear of flying posed many challenges; she went through an eight-week course based out of the San Francisco airport to work through her anxiety.

Thomas James Perkins, a Silicon Valley financier, married Steel for the fifth time, but the relationship came to an end after four years in 2002. Steel has claimed that her book The Klone and I was inspired by a private quip between herself and Perkins. Perkins dedicated his book Sex and the Single Zillionaire to Steel in 2006.

Steel's longtime home was in San Francisco, but the bulk of her time is spent in Paris. Spreckels Mansion, a 55-room San Francisco home built in 1913 as the mansion of sugar tycoon Adolph B. Spreckels, was built in c. 1913.

Steel is known to be reticent, although she public image and many pursuits, she is also sensitive, and she rarely gives interviews or appears in public.

Nicholas Traina, Steel's uncle, died by suicide in 1997. Traina, the lead singer of San Francisco punk bands Link 80 and Knowledge, was the lead singer of San Francisco punk bands Connect 80 and Knowledge. Steel wrote his nonfiction book His Brilliant Sun, which related to Nick's life and death in honor of his memory. Proceeds from the book's non-Fiction Bestseller List were used to establish the Nick Traina Foundation, which Steel controls, to support organizations devoted to mental health issues. Steel has lobbied for legislation in Washington and previously held a fundraiser in San Francisco every two years (known as The Star Ball). She founded the Yo Angel Foundation in 2002 to support the homeless.

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1965–1971: Career beginnings

Steel began writing while attending New York University, finishing her first novel at 19. Steel worked for Supergirls, a public relations firm in New York. Having been impressed with her freelance papers, a client, Ladies' Home Journal editor John Mack Carter, encouraged her to concentrate on writing. He suggested that she write a book, which she did. She then moved to San Francisco and worked as a copywriter for Grey Advertising.

Going Home, her first book, was released in 1973. Many of the book's themes would become well-known, including a focus on family issues and human relationships. Passion's Promise and Now and Forever, the two books that launched her career, was inspired by her relationship with her second husband. She became a part of San Francisco high society with the success of her fourth book, The Promise.

Steel had been a near-permanent fixture on The New York Times hardcover and paperback bestsellers lists since 1981. She was on the Guinness Book of World Records for the first weeks of any author—381 weeks at that time. Steel is a prolific author, with many books releasing each year. Each book takes 21 years to finish, so Steel has developed the ability to handle up to five projects at once, including one book and outlining another, and then writing and editing additional books. Every one of her books has hit bestseller lists in paperback, and every one that has been published in hardback has also been a hardback bestseller.

Steel has also expanded to non-fictional roles during this period. Having a Baby was first published in 1984 and included a chapter by Steel on miscarriage. Love: Poems, a collection of poetry published in the United States, was released the same year. She also ventured into children's fiction, conceiving a series of ten illustrated books for young readers. These books, dubbed "Max and Martha," are designed to help children solve everyday challenges: new babies, new kindergarten, absence of a loved one, etc. In addition, Steel has written the "Freddie" series. These four books explore other real-life situations, including the first night away from home, a trip to the hospital, etc.

Steel sued a writer who planned to reveal in her book that her son Nick was adopted by her then-current husband John Traina, despite the fact that adoption records are sealed in California. A San Francisco judge made a controversial decision that allowed Nick's adoption to be reversed despite the fact that he was still a teenager. A California appellate judge confirmed this order that because Steel was well-known, her son's adoption did not have the same privacy rights, and the book was allowed to be published.

Steel Gallery in San Francisco, which displayed contemporary art and displayed the paintings and sculptures of emerging artists, after years of near-constant writing. In 2007, the gallery had closed. Susan continues to curate shows a few times a year for the Andrea Schwartz Gallery in San Francisco.

Steel was named by the French government in 2002 as an Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for her contributions to world culture.

She has additionally received:

Steel and Elizabeth Arden signed an agreement in 2006 to introduce Danielle Steel's Danielle fragrance.

Beatrix, a French-American banker, was married by steel in 1965 and gave birth to their daughter Beatrix. In 1972, Steel and Lazard separated. Steel was interviewed by Danny Zugelder while interviewing an inmate in a prison near Lompoc, California, where Zugelder was also jailed. In June 1973, he was released with Steel, but in early 1974, he was arrested on robbery and rape charges. She married Zugelder in the prison canteen after being rejected from Lazard in 1975. Steel suffered several miscarriages in their history. In 1978, she divorced Zugelder.

While pregnant with her child, Steel married her third husband, William George Toth, in 1978. In March 1981, the two married.

For the fourth time in 1981, Steel married vintner John Traina. Nick, the Steel's son, was adopted by Traina and gave him his family name. Samantha, Victoria, Vanessa, Maxx, a fashion stylist, and Zara were all together for five children, Samantha, Victoria, Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa, Vanessa, Maxx. Steel often wrote at night, choosing to spend as much time as possible with her children, but with only four hours of sleep. In 1995, Steel and Traina were divorced.

In the early 1980s, she had a fear of flying, so she went on an eight-week course based out of the San Francisco airport to tackle her fear.

Thomas James Perkins, a Silicon Valley financier, married Steel for the fifth time, but the marriage was canceled after four years in 2002. Steel has said that her book The Klone and I was inspired by a private joke shared between herself and Perkins. Perkins dedicated his book Sex and the Single Zillionaire to Steel in 2006.

Steel's long-time home was in San Francisco, but the bulk of her time is spent in Paris. Spreckels Mansion, her 55-room San Francisco home, was built in 1913 as the mansion of sugar tycoon Adolph B. Spreckels.

Despite her public image and numerous pursuits, Steel is known to be shy, and she rarely gives interviews or attends public appearances.

Nicholas Traina, Steel's uncle, died of suicide in 1997. Traina was the lead singer of San Francisco punk bands Link 80 and Knowledge. Steel wrote the nonfiction book His Brilliant Light about Nick's life and death in honor of his memory. Proceeds of the book, which made it to the New York Times Non-Fiction Bestseller List, were used to establish the Nick Traina Foundation, which Steel owns, to support organizations devoted to mental health care. Steel has lobbied for change in Washington and held a fundraiser every two years in San Francisco, dubbed The Star Ball) to gain more attention for children's mental wellbeing. She founded the Yo Angel Foundation in 2002 to help the homeless.

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