The author of the "Harry Potter" books, JK Rowling, has missed the first screening of the latest Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire", because her husband was rushed to the hospital for surgery.

Rowling's husband, Dr Neil Murray, 34, was diagnosed with appendicitis and had to undergo surgery. The author cancelled all her plans, including the screening for the movie, to be by his side.

A spokeswoman for the author said: "He had an operation and is now recovering at home. She wasn't able to attend because she was spending time with him."

J.K., born 31 July 1965, Rowling is most famous as author of the Harry Potter fantasy series, which has gained international attention, won multiple awards and sold a reported 300 million copies worldwide as of 2005.

In February 2004, Forbes magazine estimated Rowling's fortune as £576 million (just over US$1 billion), making her the first person to become a US dollar billionaire by writing books.

Rowling is also believed to be the wealthiest woman in the United Kingdom, well ahead of even Queen Elizabeth II, but this is unproven, as the Queen's personal fortune is hidden in 'The Bank of England Nominees', making the value known to only her closest officials.