JK Rowling's author fortune

Friday 3rd October 2008 - 12:01:10

JK Rowling earns £3 million a week.The 'Harry Potter' author's incredible earnings - equivalent to £5 a second - are from the 375 million sales of the seven books in the popular children's series, a percentage of revenue from the movie adaptations and spin-off merchandise, including toys and video games, according to financial bible Forbes.JK - real first name Joanne - is believed to be worth around £560 million and is expected to see her earnings soar even further, with three more 'Harry Potter' movies scheduled for release.Forbes spokesperson Lacey Rose said: ""It was wizardry that transformed JK Rowling from a destitute single mother on welfare into a super-rich success."On the big screen, her 'Potter' franchise has already generated £2.1 billion at the worldwide box office - and she still has three flicks to go."After completing the 'Harry Potter' series, the author - who earned more than the other writers in the top 10 put together - devotes most of her time to charity work, including the Children's High Level Group, which she founded.Last month, she donated £1 million to the Labour Party, the ruling political party of the UK.

Forbes magazine top 10 Biggest Earning Authors:

1 JK Rowling £160m

2 James Patterson £26.7m

3 Stephen King £24m

4 Tom Clancy £18.7m

5 Danielle Steel £16m

6= John Grisham £13m

6= Dean Koontz £13m

8 Ken Follett £10.6m

9 Janet Evanovich £9m

10 Nicholas Sparks £8.5m