Gloria Steinem went from living in a trailer to building a $10 million fortune—she told college grads to avoid chasing paychecks: ‘Money is boring’

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated feminist, has died at the age of 92. She built a $10 million fortune while advocating for women's rights. Even in her later years, Steinem remained committed to her cause, never stopping her activism. When asked for advice to college graduates in 2018, she emphasized the importance of following one's passions rather than seeking the highest-paying job.

She once said, "I would say do what you love, because each of us has unique interests and talents, and the more we can follow them, the more effective, happy, and successful we will be." "Money is boring," she added, "and as you may have noticed, groups of people based on money are boring." Steinem's upbringing in a trailer home, where she moved often due to her father's job, shaped her perspectives.

She moved to Washington, D.C., after her parents divorced, graduating from high school there. She later earned a degree from Smith College and pursued a career as a journalist. In 1963, she even went undercover at Playboy to report on its degrading conditions. It was during a meeting of women advocating for abortion rights that Steinem found her true calling in women's rights activism.

Even in her 90s, she continued to work tirelessly for these causes, never slowing down. Her New York City apartment became a hub for activists, writers, and organizers, reflecting her belief that success comes from doing what one is passionate about.