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J.K. Rowling, born July 31, 1965, is a British author renowned for the globally celebrated “Harry Potter” series, which has captivated millions and transformed modern literature.
Biography
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joanne Rowling |
| Pen Name | J.K. Rowling |
| Date of Birth | 31 July 1965 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Author, Philanthropist |
| Notable Works | Harry Potter series, The Casual Vacancy, Cormoran Strike series (as Robert Galbraith) |
| Harry Potter Series | Published from 1997 to 2007, over 600 million copies sold, translated into 84 languages, global media franchise |
| First Novel for Adults | The Casual Vacancy (2012) |
| Alias for Crime Fiction Series | Robert Galbraith |
| Early Career | Researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International |
| Significant Life Events | Death of mother, birth of first child, divorce from first husband, relative poverty before first Harry Potter novel published |
| Recognition | World's highest-paid author (2008, Forbes), OBE, Companion of Honour |
| Philanthropy | Co-founded Lumos, established Volant Charitable Trust |
| Charitable Focus | Medical causes, supporting at-risk women and children |
| Political Views | Donated to Britain's Labour Party, opposed Scottish independence and Brexit |
| Views on Transgender Issues | Vocal since 2017, described as transphobic by critics, caused debates on freedom of speech and cancel culture |
Early Life
J.K. Rowling, born Joanne Rowling on July 31, 1965, in Yate, England, spent her early years in the quaint village on the English/Welsh border. From a young age, Rowling exhibited a passion for writing, penning her first story about a rabbit named “Rabbit” at just six years old. Her family moved several times during her childhood, and she eventually attended the University of Exeter, where she studied French and the Classics. After graduating, Rowling moved to Portugal to teach English, where she met and married her first husband. Although the marriage ended in divorce, she moved back to the United Kingdom with her young daughter, facing financial hardships. Despite these challenges, Rowling's perseverance and creativity led her to conceive the Harry Potter series, which would later become a global phenomenon.
Family
| Name | Relation | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Rowling | Father | Peter Rowling was an aircraft engineer. He married Anne Volant Rowling and supported J.K. Rowling’s early writing endeavors. |
| Anne Volant Rowling | Mother | Anne Volant Rowling was a science technician. She passed away in 1990, a significant event that deeply affected J.K. Rowling. |
| Dianne Rowling | Sister | Dianne Rowling, also known as Di, is J.K. Rowling’s younger sister. She has maintained a relatively private life compared to her famous sibling. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 54 kg (119 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-35 in (86-64-89 cm) |
| Bra Size | 32B |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) |
| Dress Size | 6 (US) |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
J.K. Rowling is currently married to Dr. Neil Murray. They got married on December 26, 2001. Dr. Neil Murray is an anesthetist, and the couple lives in Scotland. They have two children together: David Gordon Rowling Murray, born in 2003, and Mackenzie Jean Rowling Murray, born in 2005.
Before her current marriage, J.K. Rowling was married to Jorge Arantes, a Portuguese television journalist.
| Relationship | Partner Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Husband | Jorge Arantes | J.K. Rowling and Jorge Arantes met in a Portuguese bar while the author was teaching English. They got married in 1992 but divorced in 1993. They have one child together, Jessica Isabel Rowling Arantes, born in 1993. |
| Current Husband | Dr. Neil Murray | J.K. Rowling married Dr. Neil Murray on December 26, 2001. He is an anesthetist. They have two children together and live in Scotland. |
J.K. Rowling, born on July 31, 1965, is a British author best known for writing the Harry Potter series. She began writing the series during her first marriage and continued through single parenthood and into her second marriage. Her journey from a single mom to a successful author is well documented and serves as an inspiration to many.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
J.K. Rowling became famous through her creation of the “Harry Potter” series. The series, which follows the life and adventures of a young wizard named Harry Potter, became a global phenomenon, selling millions of copies worldwide. The success of the books led to a highly successful film franchise, further cementing Rowling's fame and influence in popular culture.
Rowling's career started with the publication of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” (known as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone” in the United States) in 1997. The book was an immediate success, and she went on to write six more books in the series:
- “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
- “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”
- “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
- “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
- “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”
- “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”
Beyond “Harry Potter,” Rowling has written other books including “The Casual Vacancy” and the “Cormoran Strike” series under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
Throughout her career, J.K. Rowling has received numerous awards and honors, including:
- Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to children's literature
- France's Légion d'Honneur
- Hans Christian Andersen Award
- British Book Awards
- Blue Peter Badge
Despite her success, J.K. Rowling has been involved in several controversies:
- Transgender Comments: Rowling has faced significant backlash for her comments regarding transgender issues, which many have labeled as transphobic. This has led to widespread criticism and has affected her reputation among some fans and the public.
- Accusations of Anti-Semitism: Rowling has been accused of incorporating anti-Semitic stereotypes in her depiction of goblins in the “Harry Potter” series.
- Political Views: Rowling has been vocal about her political views, including her stance on Brexit and the Scottish independence referendum, which have sparked various debates.
- Plagiarism Allegations: Rowling has faced multiple accusations of plagiarism over the years, although none have resulted in legal findings against her.
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