J. K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling, born Joanne Rowling, was on a long train trip, working as a secretary for Amnesty International when she first conceived of the idea for her Harry Potter series, which would go on to become the best-selling book series of all time. Rowling was surviving on state benefits when she completed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Although she was advised not to quit her day job after the British publishing house Bloomsbury agreed to publish the book in 1997, Harry Potter would become a global brand worth $15 billion. Rowling is now among the richest women in England and is also an active philanthropist.