J.K. Rowling, British author and creator of Harry Potter Fantasy, was born in Yate, near Bristol in 1965, on 31st of July. Despite having a troubled marriage and spending years on social welfare, she overcame all her odds and became multi-millionaire in less than 5 years since her first Harry Potter series was published. She has also worked as a French teacher in Edinburgh. The story of Harry Potter came in her mind during her train trip to London in 1990. She took six years to write the book but unfortunately her manuscript of Harry Potter and Philosopher’s stone was rejected by 9 publishers. However, in 1996, it was bought by Bloomsbury. What happened next is a history: More than 400 million copies of Harry Potter have been sold across the world in almost all major languages. Harry Potter is now considered a strong global brand with an estimated worth exceeding $ 15 billion. Her last four books of Harry Potter series have been regarded as the fastest-selling book in history.
In 2002, she was charged for plagiarism by Pennsylvania-based author Nancy Stouffer, according to whom she took inspiration from her book “The Legend of Rah and Muggles” and character Larry Potter. But soon the case was dismissed as she could not support her claims.
Forbes Magazine 2010 has enlisted her in the billionaire list of the world. She is the twelfth richest in the United Kingdom and her net worth is said to be about $1 billion. According to Sunday Time Rich List of 2008, she has fortune worth $798 million. Telegraph of 2008, kept her among ‘100 most powerful in British culture’
Philanthropic work:
She is prominent and generous philanthropist and helps charities such as One Parent Families, Comic Relief, Children’s High Level Group, and Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain. In 2000, she has established the Volant Charitable Trust and sends £5.1 million annually to eliminate poverty.
In 2007, she she donated more than $4.5 million for saving the British girls who were lost in Portugal.
She, along with Al Gore, Nelson Mandela, and Alan Greenspan, contributed to the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory
Quotes:
The truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and must therefore be treated with great caution.
Never be ashamed! There’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth bothering with.
It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our friends, but just as much to stand up to our enemies.
Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.
Death is just life’s next big adventure.
