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MARCH 22, 2004 at 11:22 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: BBC Radio 4 via The Scotsman
Author JK Rowling revealed in a BBC radio interview
Saturday that a friend loaned her £4,000 to pay for her daughter's childcare while she studied to become a teacher:
The episode occurred when Rowling, now 37, was living on benefits in a rundown flat in Edinburgh after leaving her first husband. She had won a place to become a student teacher but could not afford childcare for her daughter, Jessica.
With just £70-a-week income, Rowling believed she could never afford to pay back the money, but the gift was to change her life, allowing her to graduate and teach part-time as she wrote the first Harry Potter novel.
Rowling has since become the first billionaire writer and repaid her benefactor with a £200,000 flat in Edinburgh.
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Witch
Points: 696
quidditch_seeker says:
I think she should give her friend alot of money, now that she has a disgusting amount of it.
"Come out, come out, Peter! Come out, come out and play!"
Posted Jun 13, 2004 at 1:08 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1086
DRU587 says:
I think that is wonderful how JKR paid her friend back with a house that expensive! But I mean I guess she really felt like they helped her out a whole lot. Hey JKR.. you can buy me a house if u want!
Posted Jul 3, 2004 at 11:51 AM EST
Magical Music Professor
Points: 4812
MagicalMusicDreamer says:
What a nice friend JK Rowling had! It sounds like JK really appreciated it, to say the least. I don't think any of this is anybody's business; but when you are super famous, everything gets into the news.
Posted Jul 16, 2004 at 1:07 PM EST
Witch
Points: 849
*SkyHighandFallen says:
Wow, its nice to see a friend doing nice things for another friend. I bet Jo's happy. Look where thatloan got her?
Posted Jul 16, 2004 at 2:28 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
Ahhh, it just shows that everyone has that one special friend taht will help you in during the toughest times.
Posted Jul 24, 2004 at 4:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 617
S.Black13 says:
Wow I love it when people are so generous! Thats so sweet!
Posted Aug 1, 2004 at 9:50 PM EST
Points: 66
Imelda says:
Wow, just think, without that friend, JK might never have written the books! We owe them big time! Generosity is so important in this world, it's a shame more people arn't like that, I mean, how many peolpe do any of you know who would lend £4000, never expecting it to be paid back?
Posted Oct 5, 2004 at 7:50 AM EST
Wind Made Solid
Points: 2579
GryffindorGrad99 says:
Wow, what a great friend to have lent her that much money! That shows that what you give, you get back! (And in some cases, set the stage for some of the world's most entertaining books!)
Posted Nov 12, 2004 at 9:40 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 13
lorelei says:
Awww, shucks! That's so nice.. A friend like that is one in a million! (or maybe a billion)
Posted Dec 12, 2004 at 1:20 AM EST
Student
Points: 227
ObsessedFan says:
It's amazing how one little thing can change so much. JK Rowling has some wonderful friends. She's come so far from that place where she had practically no money. Now JKR gets a huge house where she can peacefully write the books and not have to worry about money problems.
Posted Dec 17, 2004 at 5:26 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 613
dietbrand says:
You know, Tolkien had it worse. He was an English teacher back in the days and he sold the LoTR rights to somebody for like an egg and an apple, and look what the franchise is worth now...
Posted Feb 25, 2005 at 12:20 PM EST
The Gryffindor Guy
Points: 2727
z Jamie Potter z says:
That's so cool,that she overcame that and has probaly paid the person 10 times back.It is so cool how they made it!
Posted Mar 14, 2005 at 8:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 750
magna says:
wow. Didnt realize how tough she had it. WHat a friend to help her out. She got way more back thant she ever thought of im sure
Posted Mar 28, 2005 at 8:30 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 467
the_pensieve says:
Like my mom always used to say "what goes around comes around". That's really great to hear. Cheers to the friend for helping us get Harry Potter!
Posted May 22, 2005 at 1:46 PM EST
Student
Points: 218
kara2009 says:
well thank you friend of jos that helped harry potter...i mean can you imagione a world without harry potter....WOW that would really suck!!
Posted Jul 9, 2005 at 8:27 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 776
The Third Eye says:
Again I would to like to sincerely thank anyone who has helped out the world of Harry Potter!
Posted Jan 20, 2006 at 12:36 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 480
Geowitch says:
A great example of how our little deeds of kindness can grow into something that benefits so many people. what a great friend JKR had and what a great thing she was able to do as a consequence of the loan.
Posted Aug 24, 2006 at 8:06 PM EST
Angel of Death
Points: 4366
Fearless Prince says:
As they say....fortune favours the brave...
It did for JKR!!
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 4:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 542
Tara Piglet says:
WOW, Rowling is the first billionaire writer! That is so cool. I like who all the characters are in the movies.... I think they are all of them perfect in every way :)
Posted Jan 15, 2007 at 6:41 PM EST
Rickmaniac to the Core
Points: 2564
snaily says:
Rowling has since become the first billionaire writer and repaid her benefactor with a £200,000 flat in Edinburgh. A fitting repay indeed, not to mention "expensive"! :D
Posted Aug 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM EST
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