IT was never going to be a low-profile court case, of zero interest to the media. Not when you're one of the most famous and widely adored women in the world, a renowned creator and singer of peerless pop songs, with an estimated net worth of $280 million. And, of course, with some 190 million followers across Twitter and Instagram.

But Taylor Swift bravely stuck to her guns in a court case against a Denver DJ named Bob Mueller, whom she had accused of groping her during a meet-and-greet in 2013. Last week she emerged from it fully vindicated, and, declaring that, “My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard”, she pledged to give donations to “multiple organisations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves”.

Mueller had sued Swift, her mother Andrea and their radio promotions director, Frank Bell, for up to $3m, alleging that they had set out to have him fired in the wake of the groping incident and thus ruined his career. Swift had countersued, alleging he had groped her. She had previously described her countersuit as "an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating act".

The judge rejected the DJ’s against the singer, and the six-woman, four-man jury later ruled in Swift’s favour. The jury also found Andrea Swift and Bell not liable for tortious interference – ‘intentional interference with contractual relations’.

Swift, still only 27, was born in Pennsylvania. Her father, a financial adviser, ran a Christmas-tree farm as a hobby. In an Esquire interview in 2014 she said: It was such a weird place to grow up. But it has cemented in me this unnatural level of excitement about fall [autumn] and then the holiday [Christmas] season”.

Early on she became interested in musical theatre and later became hooked on country music – inspired, it’s said, by the songs of Shania Twain. She was just 16 when she wrote the songs that would appear on her self-titled debut album, in 2006. Five singles from the album went platinum in the States, and the awards and accolades started to come her way.

The subsequent albums, Fearless, Speak Now and Red, released between 2008 and 2012, saw her retain her gift for glittering melodies and thoughtful, self-assured lyrics, while gradually moving away from the traditional country music with which she had made her name – a process that led to her fifth album, 1989 (named after the year in which she was born).

It won lots of critical praise: “At its best”, wrote the Guardian, “1989 deals in undeniable melodies and huge, perfectly turned choruses and nagging hooks … She avoids the usual hollow platitudes about self-empowerment and meaningless aspirational guff about the VIP area in the club in favour of [Bruce] Springsteenesque narratives of escape and the kind of doomed romantic fatalism in which 60s girl groups dealt”.

The songs included the defiant and insanely catchy Shake It Off, in which Swift mocked those who said of her that she had “nothing in my brain” and went out “on too many dates”. The tabloid press and entertainment TV are fascinated by the men in her life, from One Direction’s Harry Styles to Scots-born DJ Calvin Harris, chronicling them with an intensity – or prurience – absent from their speculation about the romantic entanglements of most male stars.

In her introductory notes to 1989 Swift told her fans: “I’ve told you my stories for years now. Some have been about coming of age. Some have been about coming undone. This is a story about coming into your own, and as a result … coming alive. I hope you know you’ve given me the courage to change”. She has an unfeigned affection for her legions of followers.

1989 not only sold in excess of 10 million copies worldwide but also inspired Ryan Adams, the highly respected singer-songwriter, to record all the songs in his own style. Swift was enthralled when she heard the news - ("Is this true???????" she tweeted. "I WILL PASS OUT"). When Adams’s album was released, Lena Dunham, one of Swift’s closest friends, and creator of the TV hit Girls, wrote on Twitter: "Just heard [the album] and it's a masterwork. Taylor Swift as you never imagined."

Much has been made of Swift’s reputed rifts with fellow singer Katy Perry, and with Kanye West, who in 2009 rudely interrupted her acceptance of a music-video award when he took to the stage, grabbed the microphone and, pointing to his wife in the audience, said: “I’m really happy for you … but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!”

In 2014 Swift boldly signalled her displeasure with free digital streaming services by withdrawing her albums from them, just prior to 1989 being released. She rejoined them only two months ago, partly in celebration of 1989 selling over 10 million copies. Some critics, however, claimed her decision was timed to overshadow the release of Perry’s new album.

Swift has also made headlines for her philanthropy, taste in fashion and low-key visits to children’s hospitals, and for sending personalised gifts to some of her most steadfast online followers. One lucky 25-year-old fan received a surprise package that included a personal note, a hand-painted picture and a cheque for $1989 (with a note saying "Now you're $1989 closer to paying off those student loans.")

In the meantime, speculation continues to grow about Swift’s next album. Whenever it lands, it should be worth the wait.