J.K. Rowling: One Strong Woman

Every woman will face a crucible, a storm that challenges them to be tougher to gain strength and to believe in who they are. A strong woman is one that faces that crucible head on and grows mentally and physically stronger because of it. One strong woman faced a storm that wouldn’t pass. That storm had determined her life for the worse rather than the better, but this strong woman didn’t accept it. She gained the strength to face it head on and overcome the crucible that was holding her back; this woman is non-other than J.K. Rowling.

J.K Rowling is a British author, film producer, screen writer and philanthropist. Rowling was the first author to become a billionaire by writing books. Rowling lost her billionaire status as she reportedly gave much of her wealth to charity (Rachel Gillett 2015, May 18.). Rowling still remains on the list of the world’s most powerful celebrities and one of the world’s top earning authors. Rowling has lived a “Rag to Riches” life. As she may be one of the world’s most acknowledged and wealthiest people she has been through many crucibles and obstacles.

Joanne Rowling was born on July 31st, 1965 at Yate General Hospital near Bristol and grew up in Gloucester, England. Rowling has said that her teenage years were miserable. Her home life was complicated by her mother’s diagnosis with multiple sclerosis and a strained relationship with her father. As a child Rowling wrote fantasy stories and read them to her sister. She was always exceptional at English receiving A’s. In 1982, Rowling took the entrance exams for Oxford University but was not accepted and later studies at the University of Exeter. As Rowling grew up she moved with her then-boyfriend to Manchester. In 1990 Rowling found her inspiration for a story of a young boy attending a school of wizardry while her train from Manchester to London was delayed four hours. Rowling’s mother past in the preceding December; this affected Rowling’s writing greatly as at that time she was writing harry potter.

Rowling married on October 16, 1992 with Jorge Arantas and they had their daughter Isabel Rowling Arantas. Rowling had suffered a miscarriage earlier before Isabel. As Rowling suffered domestic abuse she divorced on November 17, 1993. In 2001 Rowling remarried and had 2 other children both of whom are boys.

Seven years after graduating university Rowling saw herself as a failure; she was jobless with a dependent child; her marriage had failed yet through all the darkness she found some light. Rowling described her failure as liberating and allowing her to focus on writing. During this period Rowling was diagnosed with severe depression and she contemplated suicide. Rowling signed up for welfare benefits, describing her economic status as being “Poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless.” Rowling continued to write Harry Potter; she would write the story in cafes with Jessica sleeping in a pram next to her.

In 1995 Rowling finished her manuscript for Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone which she typed on an old typewriter. The book was submitted to twelve publishing houses and rejected every time. After receiving loads of rejections from book publishers Bloomsbury publishing house in London gave her the green light in 1997. In February the novel won the Children’s Book of the Year. In 1998, Scholastic Inc., bought he right to publish the novel for US $105,000. Since then her series of seven books has sold more than 450 million copies and have won innumerable awards, they have been made into movies and have transformed Rowling’s life.

Rowling’s determination and willpower helped Rowling overcome a crucible of a lifetime. Have suffering many rejections, struggles, a divorce, a miscarriage, domestic abuse, depression, contemplating suicide, and even the death of her mother. Today, Rowling is a millionaire, a mother, philanthropist, a successful author, and a great inspiration. Not to mention one of the world’s most powerful celebrities and top earning authors. J.K Rowling has taught us many valuable lessons in life. She has taught us that no matter how big or small a storm is a strong woman can overcome it as well as in order to succeed in life you will have to fail. J. K. Rowling is undoubtedly one of the world’s strongest woman.