Barbara Walters has named Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling as her Most Fascinating Person of 2007.

The title caps off a big year for Rowling, one in which she released the final book in her hit series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” oversaw the premiere of the fifth movie installment and “outed” a major character, Professor Albus Dumbledore.

Following Rowling on the Most Fascinating list was Don Imus, the radio host who provoked outrage following his comments on Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team.

In the past, Walter’s annual list has drawn from a varied pool of celebrities, entertainers and public figures, and this year’s edition was no different. The Top 10 ranged from actresses Katherine Heigl and Jennifer Hudson, to political figures Bill Clinton and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Walters, a co-host on the “The View,” is also writing an autobiography that is due out in May 2008.

Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People of 2007 are:
1. J.K. Rowling
2. Don Imus (American radio broadcaster)
3. Hugo Chávez (Venezuelan president)
4. Jennifer Hudson
5. Katherine Heigl
6. Victoria and David Beckham
8. Tom Anderson and Chris De Wolfe (MySpace founders)
9. Bill Clinton
10. Justin Timberlake

Related posts:

1. J.K. Rowling Comes To Toronto
2. Rowling Names New Potter Book; Potterheads Go Crazy
3. ‘Two Die’ in Final Harry Potter Book, Says J.K. Rowling