What is J.K Rowling’s net worth? New Harry Potter TV show announced with author as executive producer

Expelliarmus! Just like the disarming spell, fans of the Harry Potter universe woke up this morning to the alarming but thrilling news that the magical world is being revisited in a live action TV series.

Although fans have been able to enjoy the wizarding world through the seven original films, the books, the spin off theatre show and video games, worth an estimated $25 billion, the new HBO Max show will allow a ‘new generation of fandom’ to experience J.K Rowling’s books and characters.

Rowling will be on hand for the series that will be authentic to her books and focus on the characters and locations of Harry Potter with a new cast, as an executive producer.

The author said: “[HBO] Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series.”

However, news of the TV show and Rowling’s participation, that comes after the Harry Potter franchise celebrated 20 years, has been met with hesitation as a result of the author’s views on transgender rights that caused controversy.

While primary Harry Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have all previously condemned Rowling’s remarks, notable actors Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes have defended the author.

Despite the controversy, the Wizarding World and Rowling’s career are far from extinction (avada kedavra) with the new HBO Max series, therefore in light of this PeopleWorld takes a look at J.K Rowling’s net worth:

Many people wish they could magic up some more money, and J.K Rowling has been able to conjure up a whopping £820 million from the Harry Potter franchise including book sales, movie rights, theme parks and merchandise to name a few.

The New York Times stated that Rowling sold the rights for the first four Harry Potter movies for $2 billion as well as receiving a portion of the net profits whenever a movie ticket or DVD was sold. 

Therefore, some reports suggest that J.K Rowling has achieved billionaire status, however the Philosopher’s Stone author insists that she is not, meaning some of her profits may have been donated to charitable causes close to her heart.

For example, in 2020 the Goblet of Fire author donated £1 million to help victims of domestic abuse and homelessness during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2021, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated that J.K Rowling’s fortune ranked her as the 196th richest person in the UK with assets including a £4.5 million home in Kensington and a £2 million home in Edinburgh - where she wrote some of the chapters of the franchise.