Asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love," J.K. Rowling said Friday night that the beloved character was gay. (File Photo)

BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love," J.K. Rowling said Friday night that the beloved character was gay.

Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series "Harry Potter," Friday attended the close of her "Open Book Tour" at Carnegie Hall in New York.

After reading briefly from the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," she took questions from the audience members, 1,600 students chosen from 40 New York public elementary, middle and high schools.

A 19-year-old fan from Colorado asked about the top wizard's love life. She always thought of Dumbledore "as gay," she said.

She explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards.

Refering to Dumbledore's feelings, Rowling said "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down."

That love, she said to raucous applause, was Dumbledore's "great tragedy."

"Harry Potter" fans have speculated on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past.

"If you could marry anyone from the Harry Potter series, who would it be?" asked by Kristian Cuzco, 18, from Concord High School on Staten Island.

"I married a really good person. Harry is a really good person. And he's a gutsy person," Rowling said.

(Agencies)