Writing books isn’t the most lucrative career. According to Indeed, the national average salary for novelists is just $49,046 per year. While most writers struggle to make a comfortable living from their work, a lucky handful have made a fortune off their literary talents. Here are the richest authors of all time.
Elisabeth Badinter is the world’s most valuable author, with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. The French philosopher is known for her books on feminism, including The Conflict: How Modern Motherhood Undermines the Status of Women. She is also the majority shareholder of Publicis Groupe, an advertising and public relations company her father founded. This has contributed to her status as one of France’s wealthiest citizens.
In the second spot is J. K. Rowling, author of the blockbuster Harry Potter series. Her fantasy books and the movies, theme park rides, and merchandise they’ve inspired have earned Rowling a net worth of $1 billion. It’s estimated that the novelist made $181 per minute in the 2016-17 fiscal year, or $4.37 per word based on the average typing speed.
That’s it as far as literary billionaires go, but the millionaires on the list boast impressive earnings as well. Familiar names include James Patterson, Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and Danielle Steel.
- Suzanne Collin
Suzanne Collin has generated most of her wealth through the sales of her novels and also by writing screenplays for numerous TV shows. Collins began her career in 1991 and has ever since remained a popular author icon.
As of July 2022, Suzanne Collins’ net worth is estimated to be roughly $80 million.
- Janet Evanovich
Janet Evanovich is a best-selling author and has earned dozens of award-winning novels. She began writing romance novels in the 1980s and eventually she switched genres to focus more on the suspenseful side of reading. Evanocih shot to stardom and fame with her Stephanie Plum franchise. Janet Evanovich’s net worth is estimated to be $80 Million, making her the 19th richest author in the world.
- Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra is a new age guru and a medical practitioner who has spoken about the umbilical connection between the mind and the body. Chopra has provided answers to many modern lifestyle conditions that have slowly eroded the core of spiritualism in western societies in particular.
As of July 2022, Deepak Chopra’s net worth is $80 million.
- Jack Higgins
Jack Higgins is a bestselling multi-millionaire novelist. Higgins was raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is one of the most popular authors in the world. As of July 2022, Jack Higgins’ net worth is approximate $86 Million, making him the 17th richest author on the list.
- Christopher Little
Christopher Little “Christopher Little Literary Agency” is a firm of literary agents based in London. The agency managed Harry Potter author J.K Rowling from 1996 to 2011. He has been described as “the luckiest agent ever” who was half of “the most commercially successful relationship in literary history”.