Danielle Steel (born Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel, 14 August 1947) is an American novelist renowned for her romance and drama fiction. She is one of the world’s most popular and prolific authors, with more than 190 published books, translated into 43 languages, and over 800 million copies sold worldwide. Many of her novels have been adapted into television films and miniseries.

Born in New York City, Steel spent part of her childhood in France and New York, later studying literature, design, and fashion marketing at New York University and Parsons School of Design. Her first novel, Going Home (1973), marked the start of a career spanning five decades. Known for emotional storytelling and themes of love, family, resilience, and personal transformation, her books often draw inspiration from real-life challenges and relationships.

In addition to fiction, Steel has written children’s books, nonfiction works, and poetry. She has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for her literary achievements and philanthropic work, particularly in mental health and youth programs. Steel continues to publish several novels each year, maintaining her reputation as one of the best-selling authors of all time.