An Unexpected Life // A Memoir

Gloria Steinem offers an inspiring and candid memoir of her early life and the journey that made her one of the worlds most influential activists and storytellers, alongside a clear-eyed, urgent message for new generations about what the next chapters of the fight for equality will demand

Before she became a feminist leader, Gloria Steinem was a curious child: going on road trips with her itinerant father, caring for her mother, and devouring every book she could find. InAn Unexpected Life, Steinem reflects on the unlikely experiences and pivotal momentsfrom a childhood rat bite that opened her eyes to the dangers of poverty to the 1970 Womens March honoring the right to votethat shaped the visionary woman she would become.

She shares her years living in India, learning from the nonviolent movement there, and her travels around the world advocating for womens rights. Along the way, she honors the people who influenced her most, including trailblazers, writers, and thinkers who expanded her understanding of power, community, justice, and solidarity.

Moving between past and present, Steinem examines the progress and setbacks of six decades of activism. As she reflects on the movements she helped build and the victories won for womens and human rights, she also looks ahead, urging new generations to imagine bolder, more inclusive paths forward.

Intimate, funny, and rich with hard-earned wisdom,An Unexpected Lifeoffers readers the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of feminisms most enduring voices as we continue the work of building a better future for all.

Gloria Steinemis a writer, activist, and cofounder ofMs.magazine. A bestselling author and pioneering journalist, she has been a central figure in feminist movements worldwide for more than six decades.

• Publisher: Random House
• Publish Date: September 22, 2026
• Pages: 256
• Language: English
• Type: Hardcover
• EAN/UPC: 9780593978177
• Dimensions: 7.5 X 5.0 X 0.7 inches | 0.71 pounds
• BISAC Categories: Biography & Memoir, Politics