"Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson has made headlines recently for her activism, but we're guessing this isn't the kind of publicity she wants.
Watson has now been implicated in the Panama Papers scandal, thanks to a searchable database that revealed she is a beneficiary of an offshore company in the British Virgin Islands.
The Spectator dug through the database and found Watson's name.
A spokesman for the actress told The Spectator that she set up the company, but denied that it yields any financial benefits.
"‘Emma (like many high profile individuals) set up an offshore company for the sole purpose of protecting her anonymity and safety," said the spokesman.
"U.K. companies are required to publicly publish details of their shareholders and therefore do not give her the necessary anonymity required to protect her personal safety, which has been jeopardized in the past owing to such information being publicly available."
The star also has a solid amount of money to hide from prying eyes if she chooses — The Sunday Times Rich List noted that she has the equivalent of C$65 million (£35 million).
"‘Emma (like many high profile individuals) set up an offshore company for the sole purpose of protecting her anonymity and safety."
She isn't the only Brit to be named in the leak. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York; "America's Got Talent" judge Simon Cowell and Paul McCartney's ex-wife Heather Mills have also popped up.
Some 11.5 million documents connected to Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca were released last month, showing the vast number of world names that use offshore accounts.
A searchable database containing the information was just opened up to the public on Monday.
The use of offshore companies isn't illegal, but they have been used in the past to avoid taxes.
Watson is a proud feminist, and a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador,
who has given several speeches on women's rights and political participation.
U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson (R) chats with Uruguay's Vice-President Danilo Astori during an activity to promote political shares at the Uruguayan Senate and Congress chambers at the Parliament building in Montevideo, September 17, 2014. (REUTERS/Andres Staff)
She said in a February interview that she was taking a year off from acting to learn more about feminism and focus on her UN work.
Ah, to take a break from your job to read while your millions are potentially hidden — it's good to be Emma Watson.
Also on HuffPost
