JK Rowling’s $150 million superyacht hides its name after protests in California
Harry Potter author JK Rowling was forced to cover the name of her superyacht while moored in Marina del Rey harbor, according to a new report.
The California Post spotted locals familiar with the yacht on social media.
One claimed its name was covered because it ’often attracts protesters.’
The paper eventually identified it as belonging to Rowling.
The Post also spoke to some residents personally. One billed it as the ’worst-kept secret on the marina.’
Another person online said protesters pestered the boat when it docked in the area last year.
Rowling, 61, has not been publicly spotted on the vessel.
The beloved author has endured a storm of protests since expressing ’deep concerns’ about transgender activism in an essay in June 2020.
The California Post spotted local familiar with the yacht on social media. One claimed its name was covered because it ’often attracts protesters.’ The paper eventually identified it as belonging to Rowling. It’s seen docked during a visit to St. John’s in Canada in July 2024
She rose from homelessness to become one of the most celebrated children’s writers of all-time.
Those criticizing her included movie stars she helped make famous – with the controversy also spurring headlines such as ’Bonfire of JK Rowling.’
Marine tracking data shows the boat, named Samsara, is still at Marina del Rey.
The boat, built by Dutch shipbuilder Oceanco, is nearly 100 yards long, according to SuperYachtFan.com.
It was originally commissioned for LA businessman Eric Smidt, the billionaire who founded Harbor Freight Tools.
The vessel was sold in 2022 to Australian billionaire Brett Blundy. It’s estimated to be worth about $150 million.
At some point since, it’s seemingly changed hands to Rowling.
Amenities include a circular swimming pool, movie theater and a ’tranquil beach club,’ according to SuperYachtFan.com.
Rowling has an estimated net worth of roughly $1.2 billion, according to Forbes.
The author has become a fierce supporter of women’s rights causes since the summer of 2020. She caught flak after liking a tweet that referred to transgender women as ’men in dresses’ in March 2018.
Rowling has denied claims that she is transphobic and says she believes people should be free to identify as they choose and be treated equally.
But she is opposed to transgender women - who are biological males - in female only spaces and says that the rights of transgender people should not be allowed to supersede women’s rights.
Rowling also recently celebrated on social media on the deck of a boat – after a UK Supreme Court ruling that decided the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
’I love it when a plan comes together,’ she posted on X, riffing off the A-Team character Hannibal’s catchphrase.
As the colonel often did, Rowling was seen chomping on a cigar. That was in April of last year. She has maintained a low profile since.
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