J.K. ROWLING – $1 BILLION

J.K. Rowling made an entire generation fall in love with the magical world and characters in her best-selling Harry Potter series, but did you know that before getting it published, J.K. Rowling had very little to her name? Her story proves that trusting in one’s talents and never giving up can pay off in the end. For Jo, her pay-off was in the billions after her books spawned eight film adaptations and countless merchandise.

She was now named the first billionaire author, but she denied it because she is extremely private when it comes to finances. However, given just how much of her fortune she gives away to charity, the author didn’t keep her billionaire status for very long. Even without it, she no longer has to worry about having to get loans in order to keep her family afloat. Jo started from poverty but her knowledge and her creativity brought her to wealth.