J.K. Rowling | Writer, Producer

They say that if you hit rock bottom, there is no way but up. This was the case with J.K. Rowling, the author behind the highly successful Harry Potter book series. Did you know, though, that before becoming a writer, she was on state welfare? When she found the courage to write, many publishers turned her manuscript down! Now, those initial rejections translated into selling more than 500 million copies in various languages.

Rowling went from being a beneficiary of state funds to contributing significantly to the country in terms of taxes. She rose to become the fifth richest woman in the UK in just five years. It was indeed an amazing feat. As a single mom, Rowling recognized the struggle, but she gave credit to those who helped her achieve her current success, including, of course, the UK government and a UK minister she worked for—who allowed her to bring her daughter to work.