Role Model - J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling

"I think you have a moral responsibility when you've been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently."

"Large amounts of wealth bring a certain responsibility if you’re any kind of human being, then after you fulfil your family’s needs, you think, well how do I do some good with this?"

Best known as the author of the Harry Potter series, many do not know of her amazing philanthropy work, her ability to stay away from the spotlight, and her battles with mental illness.

J.K. Rowlings has been named Forbes wealthiest writer, and the world's second richest female entertainer. However, this wealth amassment has not resulted in the typical reaction of desiring more, but instead, all subsequent works she's done since Harry Potter, given all proceeds to the many organizations that she supports.

In 2000, J.K. Rowling started the VOLANT Charitable Trust to support charitable causes focusing on MS research, and causes that "alleviate social deprivation", specifically regarding children and women. This is in addition to the dozens of causes, charities, and organisations she is already president of, donates to, and publicly supports.

An aside, personal, achievement for J.K. Rowling has been her battle and surmounting of depression and suicidal thoughts. She has been seen on Oprah speaking about this matter, helping to lift the veil of stigma attached to mental illness. J.K. Rowling also used this experience in her books when creating Dementors, stating that they are a description of depression, an "absence of being able to envisage that you will ever be cheerful again. The absence of hope. That very deadened feeling, which is so very different from feeling sad."

Beautiful, humble, strong, talented, and empowering girls both through her books and her philanthropy - what more could we want from a billionaire?