Steber's achievements in the world of opera and music were monumental. From a young age, she trained at the New England Conservatory of Music and honed her craft in New York City. Her victory in the prestigious Metropolitan Opera radio auditions in 1940 set the stage for an extraordinary career. The recognition she received, including Eleanor Steber Day in her hometown of Wheeling, reflected how much she meant to her community and the world of opera.

Her debut at the Metropolitan Opera, as Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier, was just the beginning. Throughout her career, she performed in numerous iconic productions, including her portrayal of Marie in the Met’s first performance of Wozzeck and Elsa in Lohengrin at Bayreuth, which was especially significant as she became the first American to perform at this prestigious festival after World War II.

Her contributions weren’t limited to performances. She performed for USO shows, for bond drives, and at veterans' hospitals extensively during World War II. Her impact extended into American pop culture as well, having performed in musical theater productions such as Where's Charley? and The Sound of Music. Her collaboration with composer Samuel Barber is especially notable, having premiered Knoxville: Summer of 1915 and recorded the title role in his opera Vanessa.

After retiring from active performing, Steber continued teaching at the Cleveland Institute and Juilliard, and established the Eleanor Steber Music Foundation. Steber’s legacy lives on, not only through her extensive catalog of recordings but also through her role as a mentor and advocate for young musicians. Her induction into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2013 was a fitting honor for a life so dedicated to music and service.