James Patterson topped the list of the world’s biggest-earning authors, estimated to have earned $95 million pre-tax between June 2015 and June 2016, according to Forbes magazine, Diary of a Wimpy Kid author, Jeff Kinney was 2nd earning $19.5 million.
James Patterson is the richest author in the world for the third year in a row, he is the author of the detective series based on the leading character Alex Cross. Harry Potter creator J K Rowling, who comes in at third place earning an estimated $19 million, closely followed by John Grisham, and Stephen King.
The World’s 14 top-earning authors list, 2016
1. James Patterson: $95 million
2. Jeff Kinney: $19.5 million
3. J.K. Rowling: $19 million
4. John Grisham: $18 million
5. Stephen King: $15 million
6. Danielle Steel: $15 million
7. Nora Roberts: $15 million
8. E.L. James: $14 million
9. Veronica Roth: $10 million
10. John Green: $10 million
11. Paula Hawkins: $10 million
12. George R.R. Martin: $9.5 million
13. Dan Brown: $9.5 million
14. Rick Riordan: $9.5 million
