An Unexpected Life

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem's inspiring and candid memoir of her early life and her path to becoming one of the world’s most influential voices, with reflections on hope, happiness and how to keep fighting.

THE MUST-READ MEMOIR FROM THE BELOVED FEMINIST ICON

The definitive final memoir from the late feminist icon Gloria Steinem - a candid, powerful and inspiring account of her path to becoming one of the world’s most influential voices.

‘A luminous act of remembrance and generosity’ Roxanne Gay, bestselling author of The Bad Feminist

'Gloria Steinem has long been, and will forever be, the light guiding the way for so many of us…The fight is far from over, but she has instilled me with an absolute certainty that we can win.' Jameela Jamil, actor, writer, and feminist activist

Before she was an iconic feminist leader, Gloria Steinem was a curious child in Toledo, Ohio: going on road trips with her itinerant father, caring for her mother, and reading everything she could get her hands on. As a girl, she would never imagine the journey on which her life would take her.

In An Unexpected Life, Steinem reflects on the unlikely experiences and pivotal moments - from a childhood rat bite that opened her eyes to the dangers of poverty to the landmark 1970 Women's March honouring the right to vote - that shaped the visionary woman she would become. Reflecting on her extraordinary experiences, she also honours the trailblazers who inspired her, and uncovers the most important lessons her life has taught her about love, solidarity and freedom.

Intimate, funny, and rich with hard-earned wisdom, An Unexpected Life offers readers the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the world's most enduring voices, as we continue the work of building a better future.

About the Author

Gloria Steinem was a writer, activist, and cofounder of Ms. magazine. A bestselling author and pioneering journalist, she was a central figure in feminist movements worldwide for more than six decades. Gloria’s home is the heart of Gloria's Foundation and has become renowned as a magnetic and life-changing center for feminists and activist thinkers from around the world. Gloria Steinem passed away on September 2, 2026.