Danielle Steel ​

Danielle Fernande Dominique Schuelein-Steel, better known by her pen name Danielle Steel, is an American novelist who specializes in romance novels. She has written 166 books and her work has been translated into 43 languages.

Quick Facts ​

• Has been translated into 28 languages.
• Has sold more than 800 million copies of her books worldwide, making her the world's bestselling author since 1982.
• Her novels have been adapted into TV movies more than any other author's work.

Background ​

Steel was born on 1947 in New York City, the only child of Norma da Câmara Stone Dos Reis and John Schulein-Steel. Her father was a German Jew who survived Nazi Germany and later moved to the United States; her mother, a Portuguese Catholic, was Steel's first cousin. Steel began writing stories as a child and had her first work published at the age of 18. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in History, she worked in public relations for several years before marrying French banker Claude-Eric Lazard. The couple moved to France and had two children, but divorced after eight years of marriage.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Steel's writing style is fast-paced and melodramatic, often described as "romance novels for grown-ups". Her work is popular among female readers, and she has been praised for her ability to write about complex issues such as divorce, death, and addiction. However, her work has also been criticized for being formulaic and predictable.

Notable Works ​

• Fine Things (1985)
• The Ring (1996)
• Jewels (1992)
• Lightning (1995)