She was listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 1889 for having at least one book on the New York Times bestseller list for 381 consecutive weeks. Teens, men, women and seniors in 46 countries around the globe read her books. Her books have been translated into 28 languages. Steel is the spokesperson for the National Committee for the Prevention of Childabuse. She is national spokesperson for the American Humane Association.
Steel is interested in assuring for the welfare and well being of children everywhere.
She has eight living children. She lost a son to Bi Polar Disease in the 1990's. With all of these interests and commitments, Steel is certainly a very busy woman. Somehow she still finds time to write. She often works on three novels at once.