Writing’s beauty exists in the reader’s head as opposed to sculpture, where the beholder may touch and appreciate the artist’s creation. Because a reader’s ability to understand a literary work depends on a number of factors that can be controlled or not, the writer’s task is challenging. The richest authors in the world have contributed fairly to society. A pen, a notebook, and a ton of brilliant ideas are all that are needed. It’s still incredible to think about how some people have made millions just by writing. Only a select few people have attained the prestigious distinction of earning significant sums of money from writing. You might be the next writer to peddle a best-seller and earn a tidy sum in the process.
Top 10 Richest Authors In The World
1. Elisabeth Badinter -$1.7 Billion
Elisabeth Badinter is a well-known feminist author who also happens to be a billionaire thanks to her inheritance of 19 million shares in the Publicis Groupe, a global leader in advertising and public relations. She authored “The Conflict: How Modern Motherhood Undermines the Status of Women,” a book that sparked controversy in 2010 and quickly rose to fame in Europe.
2. J.K. Rowling -$1 Billion
Harry Potter, a beloved series of novels written by J.K. Rowling between 1997 and 2007, captured the hearts of millions of readers all over the world. The books have sold over 500 million copies and been translated into at least 70 languages. Harry Potter video games and television shows have also inundated the market. According to Forbes, Rowling was the highest-paid novelist in the world in 2008.
3. James Patterson -$800 Million
James Patterson is well-known for his many book series, stand-alone thrillers, non-fiction works, and romance novels. He was also the first author to sell one million e-books. For three years in a row—2014, 2015, and 2016—Patterson was at the top of Forbes’ list of the highest-paid authors. He has received the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award.
4. Danielle Steel -$600 Million
Over 90 of Danielle Steel’s publications, including over 140 novels, have been translated into 43 different languages, and 22 of them have been adapted for television. She is regarded as the fourth-best-selling fiction novelist of all time and the best-selling author who is still alive.
5. Stephen King -$500 Million
Stephen King, who is referred to as the “King of Horror,” has published up to 64 books, mostly in the horror and supernatural fiction genres. Based on his works, numerous movies, TV shows, and miniseries have been produced. He has won numerous awards, including the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, the Bram Stoker Award, the World Fantasy Award, the British Fantasy Society Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement.
6. Nora Roberts -$390 Million
Nora Roberts, who has written more than 220 best-selling books, was the first writer to be honored in the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Millions of book fans love her books, which regularly rank on The New York Times Best Seller list.
7. Barbara Taylor Bradford -$300 Million
When Barbara was just seven years old, she began writing fiction and sold her first short piece to a magazine for seven schillings. She is currently one of the wealthiest authors in the world, with a net worth close to $300 million. Over 30 million copies of her 39 books have been sold globally, making them all bestsellers.
8. Nigel Blackwell -$292.5 Million
The Jessica Kimball thriller series was created by Nigel Blackwell in partnership with New York Times bestselling author Diane Capri. In addition to this, he has also authored short stories with mystical and paranormal themes. With a current net worth of $292.5 million, he is among the wealthiest authors.
9. John Grisham -$220 Million
One of the best-selling authors of contemporary fiction, John Grisham has produced 28 straight fiction bestsellers at the top of the charts. In addition, he is an attorney and a former representative for Mississippi’s 7th district. Many of Grisham’s books have been made into films, including The Firm with Tom Cruise.