JK Rowling and the £22million luxury yacht: Harry Potter author splashes out on boat previously owned by Johnny Depp

She's got a vast fortune to splash on what she sees fit.

And JK Rowling, 50, has literally pushed the boat out for her latest purchase, spending £22 million on Johnny Depp's former yacht.

The Harry Potter author, who's reportedly worth £580 million, was wooed by the lavish yet charming 156ft liner after holidaying onboard with husband Neil Murray and their two children David, 12, and Mackenzie, ten.

Scroll down for video 

Splashing out: JK Rowling, 50, has literally pushed the boat out for her latest purchase, spending £22 million on Johnny Depp's former yacht

Splashing out: JK Rowling, 50, has literally pushed the boat out for her latest purchase, spending £22 million on Johnny Depp's former yacht

Blown away: The Harry Potter author, who's reportedly worth £580 million, was wooed by the 156ft vessel after holidaying onboard with husband Neil Murray and their two children David, 12, and Mackenzie, ten

Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp previously named the yacht Vajoliroja - a pun on the Jolly Roger pirate flag when said aloud - after his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis and their children Lily-Rose and Jack.

However, its name was changed to Amphitrite, a sea goddess and Poseidon's wife in Greek mythology, in February 2015, as a gift to his new wife Amber Heard, 29.

After their L.A. marriage, Depp reportedly said he was wiping the slate clean of his previous marriage to Vanessa Paradis - and changing the yacht's name was a significant move. 

Depp spent £5million renovating the yacht in 2008, giving it a distinctly bohemian feel with plenty of wood and luscious fabric throughout its plush art deco interior, as well as a subtle pirate theme

Depp spent £5million renovating the yacht in 2008, giving it a distinctly bohemian feel with plenty of wood and luscious fabric throughout its plush art deco interior, as well as a subtle pirate theme

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt even holidayed aboard the luxury yacht in the summer of 2010, after Angelina and Depp became close while filming the film The Tourist

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt even holidayed aboard the luxury yacht in the summer of 2010, after Angelina and Depp became close while filming the film The Tourist

One of the bedrooms inside the yacht shows wood wall paneling and deep red velvet seating areas

One of the bedrooms inside the yacht shows wood wall paneling and deep red velvet seating areas

The yacht comes complete with waterski, wakeboard, windsurf, kayak and snorkeling capabilities and it's entertainment system boasts a home cinema, satellite TV, Hifi and video games

The yacht comes complete with waterski, wakeboard, windsurf, kayak and snorkeling capabilities and it's entertainment system boasts a home cinema, satellite TV, Hifi and video games

The yacht - which also has three decks - is kitted out with a state-of-the-art sound system, games consoles and works of art

The yacht - which also has three decks - is kitted out with a state-of-the-art sound system, games consoles and works of art

Depp later sold the vessel to an American shipping magnate.

The actor spent £5million renovating the yacht in 2008, giving it a distinctly bohemian feel with plenty of wood and luscious fabric throughout its plush art deco interior, as well as a subtle pirate theme.

The yacht - which also has three decks - is kitted out with a state-of-the-art sound system, games consoles and works of art. 

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt even holidayed aboard the luxury yacht in the summer of 2010, after Angelina and Depp became close while filming the film The Tourist.  

'He's very generous and is sure their six children will love it,' said a source at the time. 'Brad can't wait to dive off the top of the boat and get the older kids on jet skis.'

Famous for playing charismatic pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney's hit Pirates series, Depp clearly has an affinity for sailing the seas in reality. 

The luxury 156ft vessel was originally named Vajoliroja - a pun on the Jolly Roger using the first names of Depp's family. Depp changed the name to Amphitrite when he gave it as a wedding gift to Amber Heard, 29

The luxury 156ft vessel was originally named Vajoliroja - a pun on the Jolly Roger using the first names of Depp's family. Depp changed the name to Amphitrite when he gave it as a wedding gift to Amber Heard, 29

Actor Johnny Depp with his new wife Amber Heard, 29, at the 'Black Mass' premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. Depp renamed the yacht when giving it to Heard as a wedding present in February

Actor Johnny Depp with his new wife Amber Heard, 29, at the 'Black Mass' premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. Depp renamed the yacht when giving it to Heard as a wedding present in February

Actor Johnny Depp and Amber Heard arrive at The Art Of Elysium's 8th Annual Heaven Gala at Hangar 8 in Santa Monica, California

Actor Johnny Depp and Amber Heard arrive at The Art Of Elysium's 8th Annual Heaven Gala at Hangar 8 in Santa Monica, California

Captain Jack: Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp previously named the yacht Vajoliroja after his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis and their children Lily-Rose and Jack

Captain Jack: Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp previously named the yacht Vajoliroja after his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis and their children Lily-Rose and Jack

There is certainly enough space for everyone with the impressive yacht (pictured above in 2001) containing five cabins, a spacious master suite and plenty of entertainment for all tastes

There is certainly enough space for everyone with the impressive yacht (pictured above in 2001) containing five cabins, a spacious master suite and plenty of entertainment for all tastes

The Sun reports that the novelist will use the yacht for family holidays with her husband, two boys and daughter Jessica, 22, from her first marriage.

There is certainly enough space for everyone with the impressive yacht containing five cabins, a spacious master saloon and plenty of entertainment for all tastes.

It comes complete with waterski, wakeboard, windsurf, kayak and snorkeling capabilities and it's entertainment system boasts a home cinema, satellite TV, Hifi and video games. 

And if she wishes, Rowling can recoup some of her expenditure by chartering the three-deck liner, which can house ten people and nine crew members, for £72,000 a week.

Oozing style and class, www.metayachts.com says of the vessel: 'Inspired by the gentlemen’s yachts of the 1930’s – she’s a smaller replica of the iconic 446ft Savarona, launched in 1931 at – she invokes the romance and glamour of a by-gone era.

'It’s all there: The long overhangs, the clipper bow, the funnel, the counter stern, and – as once noted – enough teak and mahogany to fill a Rothschild library.'

Fighting back: Last month, Rowling (pictured in 2012 at the Lennoxlove Book Festival) hit back at criticism of the casting of Hermione Granger in new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

Fighting back: Last month, Rowling (pictured in 2012 at the Lennoxlove Book Festival) hit back at criticism of the casting of Hermione Granger in new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

A representative for JK Rowling declined to comment.

Last month, Rowling hit back at criticism of the casting of Hermione Granger in new stage play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.

The writer voiced her support for Swaziland-born actress Noma Dumezweni, 45, who is taking on the role made famous by Emma Watson in the blockbuster films.

The Scottish writer silenced critics after several social media users expressed confusion at the divergence, with some even making openly racist comments, stating that Hermione's skin colour had in fact never been specified in the books. 

Hermione is described as having unruly brown ‘bushy hair’, which she hates. In fact there are screeds of essays and scholarly works arguing that Hermione could be black.

One piece observed that she was born to Muggle, non-wizard, parents and was considered an outsider at Hogwarts – and coded as a racial minority in the wizarding world.

At Hogwarts, Hermione was often taunted as a ‘Mudblood’, an insult thrown at Muggle-born wizards. 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.