Chelsea is joined by Smart Bitches Trashy Books host Sarah Wendell to break down Danielle Steel’s unhinged 2013 dog memoir “Pure Joy.” Spoiler alert! It’s not really about the dogs. They unpack Danielle’s FIVE marriages, her habit of surprise dog-gifting, and a 20-hour writing schedule that explains everything and nothing all at once. Plus, poop politics and a ranking system for dogs so tough, her first dog didn’t even make the dedication page.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including suicide and sexual assault. Take care while listening, and find helpful resources here.

Correction: Danielle only had 5 husbands (Chelsea was correct). Danielle wrote about the husband mix-up in a blog post.

Outside Danielle Steel's 55-Room Mansion in San Francisco

INTERIOR - In 2012, Danielle's daughter had her wedding ceremony inside Danielle's mansion in San Francisco. (Photos from Vogue)

DANIELLE'S DESK

ART FROM DANIELLE'S PARIS HOME

Sarah talks about the heart candy art on the wall in the episode.

DANIELLE'S HUSBANDS

Husband number one, Claude-Éric Lazard.

Husband number four, John Traina (left), and her second husband, Danny Eugene Zugelder (right). Danielle and Danny married in prison.

Husband number three, William Toth.

Husband number five, Silicon Valley financier Thomas Perkins.

Follow Chelsea:

• Instagram @chelseadevantez

Show Notes:

• Smart Bitches Trashy Books Ep on Gilded Age with Joanna Shupe

• History of Danielle Steel’s 55-room San Francisco Mansion

• Danielle Steel blogs about her dogs

• Barbra Streisand’s Memoir Ep

Where to find our Guest: Sarah Wendell

• Smart Bitches Trashy Books Podcast

• Website

• Instagram

• Bluesky

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Glamorous Trash is all about going high and low at the same time— Glam and Trash. We recap and book club celebrity memoirs, deconstruct pop culture, and sometimes, we cry! If you've ever referenced Mariah Carey in therapy... then this is the podcast for you.

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• Visit Brooklinen.com and use code TRASH to get $20 off your order of $100 or more.

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