J.K. Rowling has spoken candidly about what she described as a “God-shaped vacuum” in her life, revealing long-standing struggles with religious faith.

In a lengthy post on X, the Harry Potter author also reflected on how her views on several sensitive issues have shifted in recent years, including sexual identity, gender, and assisted dying.

“I used to believe nurture was everything and that nature wasn’t important. My belief changed because of my own life experience and from reading studies about genetic inheritance,” she wrote.

“In my early twenties I believed the difference between the sexes was entirely due to socialisation. I no longer believe that (for the same reasons as above).”

Rowling added that she had once supported assisted dying but had changed her mind, saying: “I no longer do, largely because I’m married to a doctor who opened my eyes to the possibilities of coercion of sick or vulnerable people.”

Turning to religion, the billionaire writer said she has “struggled with religious faith” since her mid-teens.

“I appear to have a God-shaped vacuum inside me but I never seem quite able to make up my mind what to do about it,” she said.

Rowling has previously alluded to having faith in God, and in a 2012 interview said she was a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church.