An Unexpected Life : A Memoir

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.

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.

Author: Gloria Steinem

Ohio, 20th century, Autobiography: general, Memoirs, Feminism & feminist theory, Political activism, Assertiveness, motivation & self-esteem

Published on 22 Sep 2026 by Ebury Publishing.