J.K. Rowling is incredibly rich in 2024. The creator of Harry Potter went from being a single mom living in poverty to one of the richest authors ever. Her net worth is estimated at $1.1 billion, according to a report by Parade.
Rowling loved writing since she was a kid. Born on July 31, 1965, in England, she wrote her first story about a bunny when she was just six.
Her life got tough when her mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, so she focused on her schoolwork.
She studied French and classics at the University of Exeter and later learned typing at a secretarial school, which helped her type her own books.
She moved to Portugal to teach English and met her first husband, Jorge Arantes. They had a daughter, Jessica, but their marriage didn’t last. Rowling moved to Scotland with her daughter and her Harry Potter manuscript. Despite being very poor, she kept writing.
In 1995, Rowling finished Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, but it was rejected by 12 publishers. Finally, Bloomsbury gave her a chance after a publisher’s daughter loved the book. Rowling earned $4,200 from the first printing.
When Scholastic bought the U.S. rights, she made $105,000. The book, renamed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, became a bestseller in the U.S. and kicked off the hugely successful Harry Potter series, including movies, a Broadway show, a theme park, and merchandise.
According to Parade, Rowling makes $50 million to $100 million every year from Harry Potter royalties. The books alone bring her $60 million to $80 million annually.
While Forbes once downgraded her billionaire status due to taxes and donations, it’s clear she’s still incredibly wealthy.
The Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Broadway show also added to her fortune, grossing over $330 million. Rowling has earned $10.5 million from it so far.
Her annual income from the Harry Potter franchise remains very high, making her the richest author in the world. The second richest, James Patterson, has a net worth of $800 million, much less than Rowling.
Credit : Parade
https://parade.com/celebrities/jk-rowling-net-worth?utm_source=pushly