Sometimes it seems that divorce (or any romantic breakup) is the most emotionally painful experience you can have. But J.K. Rowling, the author of the highly popular Harry Potter books, might beg to differ. Upon accepting an award for outstanding achievement on January 29, the 42-year-old novelist told the audience that finishing the series was indeed a worse experience than her divorce, according to AFP.

"It has been the worst breakup of my life," the tearful Rowling said while accepting the prize at the South Bank Show awards at London's Dorchester Hotel, referring to the end of her relationship with Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and her other characters. "Far worse than splitting up with any man. But it has also been wonderful to stop and draw breath and think, "My God, look what's happened with an idea I had 17 years ago on a train.'"

The billionaire British writer was briefly married to Portuguese TV journalist Jorge Arantes in the early '90s, during which her daughter Jessica, now 14, was born. She later wrote her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as a single mother living on unemployment benefits. Since December 2001, Rowling has been married to anesthetist Neil Murray; they have a son, David Gordon Rowling Murray, 4.

The final Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was published in July 2007 amid much hoopla. Over the past decade, more 400 million copies of the Harry Potter books have sold around the world, in 65 languages. In November, Rowling revealed to the press that she was working on a new children's book.

Divorce is a stressful and painful experience, but there are ways to deal with the emotional upheaval, both physically and mentally. For Deepak Chopra's advice, click here.