Her racy trilogy has amassed her a multi-million pound fortune.
Yet Fifty Shades Of Grey author E. L. James, real name Erika Leonard, proved she is as down-to-earth as ever on Friday night as she was spotted outside Soho House members club gifting a homeless person with what appeared to be a £50 note.
The 54-year-old looked incredibly chic in a rose-print coat as she lit up a cigarette before striking up the repertoire with the stranger following a night out at the club, where membership fees top £1650.
Kind-hearted: Fifty Shades Of Grey author E. L. James, real name Erika Leonard, proved she is as down-to-earth as ever on Friday night as she was spotted outside Soho House members club gifting a homeless person with what appeared to be a £50 note
James was fighting the elements as she emerged for a cigarette yet still managed to look stylish in her intricately embroidered coat.
Pulling the hood up, she seemed determined to keep her coiffed tresses sleek as she stood against the rain while also lighting her cigarette.
With her glasses sitting low on her nose, she seemed concentrated on her surroundings before she was greeted by the passerby.
After a moment of chatting, the pen-woman handed over what seemed to be a £50 note – undoubtedly to the delight of the homeless person.
Smoking away: The 54-year-old looked incredibly chic in a rose-print coat as she lit up a cigarette before striking up the repertoire with the stranger following a night out at the club, where membership fees top £1650
Kind-hearted: In 2012, the writer spoke to The Guardian about being cautious with money, saying: ‘Well, last week I finally got a new pair of Uggs. Yes. I’d been putting it off, you see’
She was joined by her husband Niall Leonard, who she married in 1987, as he stepped alongside clutching a carrier bag and displaying longer locks than before.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for James for comment.
In 2012, the writer spoke to The Guardian about being cautious with money, saying: ‘Well, last week I finally got a new pair of Uggs. Yes. I’d been putting it off, you see…
‘Yes, but I’m more conscious of money now than before. I’ve had the odd moment when I’ve thought: I could buy that. But I’ve always decided not to, in the end. It’s just stuff, really, and I’ve got enough stuff.’
Hometime? She was joined by her husband Niall Leonard, who she married in 1987, as he stepped alongside clutching a carrier bag and displaying longer locks than before
Stunner: James wrote the Fifty Shades trilogy of books and has kept strong creative control over the film adaptations – which concluded with Fifty Shades Freed which was released earlier this year
Glam: Her bold coat was the perfect choice for her outing at the super glamorus bar and club.
Speaking of changing with fame, she said: ‘No. I’m too old for that. Having worked in TV production all my life, I’m very aware of how monsters are created, and I don’t want to be one. It’s unsettling, yes. I do feel like I’m in a dream.
‘But it’s just noise or that’s how I think of it. One minute, you’re in Madrid, drinking cosmopolitans, the next you’re in Ikea, eating meatballs and chips.’
James wrote the Fifty Shades trilogy of books and has kept strong creative control over the film adaptations – which concluded with Fifty Shades Freed which was released earlier this year.
Same as before: Speaking of changing with fame, she said: ‘No. I’m too old for that. Having worked in TV production all my life, I’m very aware of how monsters are created, and I don’t want to be one. It’s unsettling, yes. I do feel like I’m in a dream’
A helping hand: She passed on the money following the night out