As a committed and dedicated author, your peers include some of the wealthiest, most financially successful people on the planet!
Here is just a small list of the world’s richest authors who have achieved incredible success writing books from $12 Million to over $1 billion.
1. JK Rowling
JK Rowling is a British author and movie producer born in Yate, Gloucestershire, England on July 31, 1965. Her first novel was titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Within twenty-four hours of release, her bookHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallowssold 11 million copies, whileHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 9.5 million copies within 24 hours.
She started writing theHarry Potter series as a single mom struggling to support her family.
Rowling is the first author in the world to achieve a net worth of $1 billion, and she is one of the wealthiest people in the United Kingdom.
2. Jim Davis
James Robert Davis is an American cartoonist who was born in Marion, Indiana on July 28, 1945. He is the creator of the internationally successful and popular comic strip Garfield. Davis is the founder of the Professor Garfield Foundation that supports children’s literacy. His comic strip is perhaps the most famous and well-known in the world, and his work still makes people smile today.
Davis has a net worth of $800 million.
3. James Patterson
James Patterson is an American author who was born in Newburgh, New York on March 22, 1947. His best-known novels revolve around the protagonist of the Alex Cross series, a fictional psychologist. His books have sold more than three hundred million copies.
Patterson is a prolific writer who continues to produce several novels a year with the help of co-authors and possibly ghostwriters.
Patterson has a net worth of $750 million.
4. Candy Spelling
Candy Spelling is an American writer, entrepreneur, socialite, and heiress who was born in Beverly Hills, California on September 20, 1945. She became famous for being married to well-known television producer Aaron Spelling. She writes Stories from Candyland which is a New York Times bestseller.
Spelling has a net worth of $600 million.
5. Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian novelist, lyricist, musician who was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 24, 1947. His first book titled The Pilgrimage published in 1982. A year later, he wrote his famous novel titled The Alchemist that became a national bestseller. If you haven’t read that book yet, we highly recommend it.
Paulo Coelho’s net worth is $500 million.
6. Stephen King
Stephen King is an American author who was born in Portland, Maine on September 21, 1947. He was known as a screenwriter and writer of gothic novels, suspense, fantasy, and horror. His books have sold more than 350 million copies around the world. Some of his books including Misery, Stand by Me, and Carrie has turned into mini-series or famous films.
King wrote a classic book for writers calledOn Writing where he explains his writing philosophy and process for other aspiring authors to learn.
King has a net worth of $400 million.
7. Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts (Eleanor Marie Robertson) is an American author who was born in Silver Spring, Maryland on October 10, 1950. She also was known as Sarah Hardesty in the U.K and write under the pen name, J.D. Robb. Her first bestselling book was Playing the Odds, first published in 1985. Her romance novels have captured the attention of readers all across the world.
Nora Roberts’ net worth is $390 million.
8. Danielle Steel
Danielle Steele is an American novelist who was born in New York City, NY on August 14, 1947. Her first novel Going Homepublished in 1973. For 381 consecutive weeks, she had a book listed on the New York Times Bestseller List. She became known for her compelling romance stories, Danielle’s books have sold incredibly well all across the world.
Steel has a net worth of $385 million.
9. John Grisham
John Grisham is an American author who was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas on February 8, 1955. His first novel A Time To Killpublished with a measly 5,000 copy print run in 1988. His second novel The Firmbecame the 7th bestselling novel of the year when it published. His thrillers about lawyers and the legal system helped to create a whole new genre of legal thrillers.
Grisham has a net worth of $350 million.
10. Pleasant Rowland
Pleasant Rowland is an American writer, educator, entrepreneur, and reporter who was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 8, 1941. She created the American Girl brand, for which she became well known and popular. She became the publisher and textbook writer of Children’s Magazine Guide.
Rowland has a net worth of $310 million.
11. Barbara Taylor Bradford
Barbara Taylor Bradford is a British-American novelist who was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, on May 10, 1933. Her debut novel A Woman of Substance is one of her best-known books and first published in 1979. This book is one of the Top 10 bestselling novels that sold more than 30 million copies.
Bradfordhas a net worth of $300 million.
12. Kenneth Copeland
Kenneth Copeland is an American author, musician, televangelist, and public speaker who was born in Lubbock, Texas on December 6, 1936. One of his famous books includes include From Faith to Faith: A Daily Guide to Victory and Pursuit of His Presence: Daily Devotions to Strengthen Your Walk With God. He records his single titled Pledge of Love that has a Top 40 hit.
Copeland has a net worth of $300 million.
13. Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy was an American author and producer born in Baltimore County, Maryland on April 12, 1947. He became a famous author of dozens of books which became highly successful movies and video games. His books including The Sum Of All Fears, The Hunt For Red October, Clear and Present Danger, and Patriot Games, which have all turned into successful films.
Clancy had a net worth of $300 million.
14. Olivia Harrison
Olivia Harrison is a British-Mexican author, widow of a musician (and ex-Beatle) George Harrison, and film producer. She was born in Mexico City, Mexico on May 18, 1948. She authored the book Concert for George: A Celebration of the Life of George Harrison in 2006 and wrote the introduction for the 2002 book I Me Mine. She received the Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video in 2004 for the video production that she made.
Harrison has a net worth of $275 million.
15. Allison DuBois
Allison DuBois is an American author and medium who was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 24, 1972. She is well-known for being portrayed in the TV series Medium which based on her book, Don’t Kiss Them Good-Bye. She calls herself a medium, she has the abilities to communicate with departed souls.
DuBois has a net worth of $200 million.
16. Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey is an American author, radio host, business entrepreneur and financial expert who was born in Antioch, Tennessee on September 3, 1960. One of his famous books, The Total Money Makeover has been on the New York Times Bestsellers list. He teaches people to handle their finances and get out of debt.
Ramsey has a net worth of $200 million.
17. Eiichiro Oda
Eiichiro Oda is a Japanese manga artist who was born in Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan on January 1, 1975. He is well known for his manga series One Piece which is the best-selling manga series of all time. Oda and One Piece had set the Guinness World Record for having more than 430 million copies in worldwide circulation.
Oda has a net worth of $200 million.
18. Jeffrey Archer
Jeffrey Archer is an English author, novelist, and politician who was born in London, England, the United Kingdom on April 27, 1940. He wrote the series including The Prodigal Daughter, and Kane and Abel. He is one of the best-selling novelists that sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Archer has a net worth of $200 million.
19. Ladd Drummond
Ladd Drummond is an American author and rancher who was born on January 22, 1969. He lives with his family in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. He was married to Ree Drummond, the author of the popular blog, Pioneer Woman. Ladd wrote about the wild horses on Ree’s blog. His family is the 23rd largest landowner in the United States.
Drummond has a net worth of $200 million.
20. R.L. Stine
R.L. Stine is an American author, novelist, and producer also known as Jovial Bob Stine and Eric Affabee was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 8, 1943. He became famous for penning wildly popular children’s books with horror themes including Goosebumps, The Nightmare Room, Fear Street, Rotten School, and Mostly Ghostly series. He became the best-selling children’s book series author in history in the Guinness world record in 2003.
Stine as a net worth of $200 million.
21. Jackie Collins
Jackie Collins was an English author and novelist who was born in Hampstead, London, England on October 4, 1937. She wrote 32 novels that all appeared on The New York Times bestsellers list. She was the younger sister of actress Joan Collins.
Collins had a net worth of $180 million.
22. Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton was an American author and screenwriter in who was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 23, 1942. He became well-known for his work in the thriller, medical fiction genres, and science fiction. The Andromeda Strain was his first novel to become a bestseller and published.
Michael Crichton’s net worth was estimated at $175 million.
23. Dan Brown
Dan Brown is an American author who was born in Exeter, New Hampshire on June 22, 1964. He is well-known for his best-selling novel including The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Origin, and The Lost Symbol. The Da Vinci Code made it in the New York Times’ Best Seller List in its very first week.
Brown has a net worth of $160 million.
24. David Oyedepo
David Oyedepo is a Nigerian author and pastor who was born in Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria on September 27, 1954. He founded Living Faith Church World Wide also known as Winners’ Chapel. His church operates its own publishing house which has published over 70 Christian, magazines, inspirational and motivational books, and mini books. Some of his books include Pillars of Destiny, Signs, Wonders Today, and Anointing for Exploits.
Oyedepo has a net worth of $150 million.
25. Dean Koontz
Dean Koontz is an American author who was born in Everett, Pennsylvania on July 9, 1945. He became known under pen names including Brian Coffey, David Axton, and Leigh Nichols. Some of his books have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List.
Dean Koontz’s net worth is $145 million.
26. Mary Higgins
Mary Higgins Clark is an American author who was born in The Bronx, New York on December 24, 1927. She is a writer of suspense, psychological thrillers, and mystery. She is a published author with 51 best sellers in the United States and various European countries, with her first novel titled Where Are the Children.
Higgins has a net worth of $140 million.
27. Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer is an American author who was born in
Hartford, Connecticut on December 24, 1973. She is the author of her vampire series Twilight that has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. She was ranked No. 49 of the 100 Most Influential People in 2008 on Time magazine’s list.
Stephenie Meyer’s net worth is $125 million.
28. Clive Cussler
Clive Cussler is an American adventure novelist and marine archaeologist who was born in Aurora, Illinois on July 15, 1931. He became famous for his book series starring character Dirk Pitt that reached The New York Times fiction best-seller list more than 20 times. He is the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), which he works when not writing.
Clive Cussler’s net worth is $120 million.
29. Janet Evanovich
Janet Evanovich is a New Jersey-born author who was born in South River, New Jersey on April 22, 1943. She became known under the pen name Steffie Hall. She became popular authoring a series of contemporary mysteries featuring Stephanie Plum.
Evanovich has a net worth of $120 million.
Thanks to Celebrity Networth for helping to create this list of wealthy authors.
Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Wealthy Author?
As you can see, the “starving artist” myth is dead wrong.
Writers and artists make up some of the most wealthy people in the world, and most of them were able to do it without all the stress and financial risk that goes into building a typical large business.
Instead of seeing yourself destined for a life of poverty as an artist, you ought to see yourself destined for a life of wealth and financial abundance because you are if you dedicate your life to become a great author. If at any point in time you find yourself “starving” as an artist, it’s because you chose to live that way. Any day you choose, you can make a new decision and create financial abundance.
So do you think you have what it takes to make it as an author?
If so, we can help.
Check out some of our FREE resources that will help you become a successful author:
- How to Write a Nonfiction Book
- How to Become a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon
- Get Paid to Write Short Stories
- Interviews with Bestselling Authors on How They Made It
