It is fantastic to win the lottery, enjoy the newfound riches, and be set for life. However, experience has shown that this is rarely the case. Many who have won the lottery and become millionaires overnight became overwhelmed with their newfound fortune and quickly squandered it.
However, there are lottery winners who have been very smart with their winnings, making smart investments, and are still rich. We don’t know the names of many jackpot lottery winners, as lotteries provide the option to keep the winners anonymous. Still, many have shared their luck with the world and have publicly accepted their prizes. Today we’ll discuss the status of some of the most notable lottery millionaires who are still rich.
Contents
- Brad Duke
- Peter Lavery
- John and Lisa Robinson
- Lerynne West
- Jason Fry
- Yancy Hicks
- Cynthia Stafford
- Mark Brudenell
- Sue Herdman
- Richard Lustig
- Pearlie Mae Smith
- Paul and Sue Rosenau
- Peter Lavery
- Allen and Violet Large
- Mofijul Rahima Sheikh
- Bob Erb
- Neal Wanless
- How to Win the Lottery and Be the Next Lottery Winner?
- How to Protect Yourself As Winners?
- FAQs
Brad Duke
- Age: 50
- Millionaire since: 2005
- Lottery: US Powerball
- Jackpot Prize: $220 million (lump sum after taxes – $86 million)
- Place: Idaho, USA
- What is their status now: Working on achieving his $1 billion goal
In 2005, when avid lottery player Brad Duke was 33 years old, he devised his plan of “winning” the lottery. He gathered the past six months’ worth of Powerball results and figured out the 15 most often drawn numbers, and after using a wheeling system, he combined them; luckily, his efforts paid off, and he won the main $220.3 million jackpot.
After taxes and everything, he got $86 million in cash. After the mandatory vacations, trips, and updating his hobbies, Brad decided to increase the prize money to $1 billion and gave himself 15 years to do this. However, he has not yet reached his goal, but he is on a good way there, as he has doubled his net worth. He lives a comfortable life and makes smart investments in real estate, gas, oil, and low-risk bonds.
Peter Lavery
- Age: 56
- Millionaire since: 1996
- Lottery: UK National Lottery
- Jackpot prize: £10.2 million
- Place: Belfast, Northern Ireland
- What is their status now: in a partnership with Cooley Whiskey Distillery and owning 30 properties across Northern Ireland
Peter Lavery worked as a bus driver in Belfast for a £250 paycheck when he won the £10.2 million prize in the UK National Lottery. He made some wise investments and partnered with Cooley Whiskey Distillery in creating the Danny Boy whiskey brand. He also made some smart real estate investments and now has 30 properties bringing him income all over Northern Ireland.
John and Lisa Robinson
- Age: 64 (John), 59 (Lisa)
- Millionaire since: 2016
- Lottery: US Powerball
- Jackpot Prize: $1.58 billion (a lump sum of $245.85 million after taxes)
- Place: Munford, Tennessee
- What is their status now: Living a low-profile life of their investment
Lisa and John Robinson won 1/3 of the biggest Powerball jackpot in history. John was coming home one night when Lisa called him to go to the local food mart, get some groceries and buy Powerball lottery tickets, letting the computer select the numbers. One of their tickets was the lucky ones, and they made a splash, appearing on the Today show and other TV shows. They made some wise investments, bought a 10-bedroom house with a large estate, and enjoyed their luck in a relatively low profile.
Lerynne West
- Age: 55
- Millionaire since: 2018
- Lottery: US Powerball
- Jackpot Prize: $687.8 million ($343.9 million, a lump sum of $198.1 million)
- Place: Redfield, Iowa
- What is their status now: Working with her charitable organization and donating money to worthy causes
Lerynee West bought her first home on the day she bought her winning US Powerball ticket. She went to the store to get some refreshments for the people helping her with the move when she bought her ticket. A day later, she saw that she was one of two winners of the massive $687.8 million prize. Her share of the lump sum was $138.67 after taxes, and she used the money to start a charitable foundation and help her family, as they all grew up in relative poverty. She is now living a low-profile life and donates to various charities.
Jason Fry
- Age: 52
- Millionaire since: 2007
- Lottery: Florida Jackpot
- Jackpot Prize: $47 million ($14 million lump sum)
- Place: Fort Myers, Florida
- What is their status now: Owner of a successful battery business, owner of a golf course/driving range
Jason Fry was a regular Florida man working on saving to get his dream, but luck was inclined to him when in 2007, he bought a winning ticket that won him $47 million and brought him $14 million in prize money after taxes. After living the luxury dream and celebrating his win with his friends, he made several intelligent investments. Jason bought a $50,000 golf course/driving range that brings him over $300K income. He also bought a battery business, has expanded to four locations and has more expansion plans.
Yancy Hicks
- Age: 59
- Millionaire since: 2008
- Lottery: Illinois State Lottery
- Jackpot Prize: $1 million
- Place: Chicago, Illinois
- What is their status now: Owns and operates his Subway restaurant
Yancy Hicks won the Illinois State Lottery, and even though his prize is not as substantial as the others listed here, he made some astute decisions with his money. He won his million while working at McDonald’s, and besides the prize money, he still went to work every day for four months until he decided what to do with it. Ultimately, he bought his dream car, helped pay for his daughter’s college education, and bought a Subway restaurant that is doing excellent and brings him a steady income. Most importantly, his lottery win has granted him the possibility to be his own boss.
Cynthia Stafford
- Age: 54
- Millionaire since: 2007
- Lottery: California Mega Millions Lottery
- Jackpot Prize: $112 million (a lump sum of $45 million after taxes)
- Place: Hawthorne, California
- What is their status now: Filed for bankruptcy because of poor management of her money
Cynthia Stafford won $112 million from the California Mega Millions lottery, and she chose to get the lump sum payout of $45 million after taxes. She took care of her brother’s five children as he died in a car crash, so she used some of the money to move her family to a bigger house. She invested the rest in a film production company, but unlike the other winners on our list, Cynthia did not have much luck and filed for bankruptcy in 2016.
Mark Brudenell
- Age: 54
- Millionaire since: 1997
- Lottery: UK National Lottery Lotto
- Jackpot Prize: £917,000
- Place: Sunderland, UK
- What is their status now: Owns a successful double glazing business
Mark Brundell and his wife Cheryl lived ordinary lives when their luck struck, and Mark won the UN National Lottery’s Lotto in 1997, getting a fantastic sum of £917,000. He and his wife bought new cars and invested in a new home, but Mark invested the bulk of wins very intelligently, opening a double glazing business that is still going well.
Sue Herdman
- Age: 53
- Millionaire since: 2010
- Lottery: UK National Lottery
- Jackpot Prize: £1.2 million
- Place: Herefordshire, UK
- What is their status now: Running a successful pig farm
Sue Herdman worked as a hairdresser, and after she received a tarot reading that wealth was coming her way, she decided to buy a lotto ticket, which brought her a prize of £1.2 million. She quit her job, closed the salon, and started a pig farm. Her farm now has over 7000 pigs, and about 1000 piglets are born every week. Sue is living a very comfortable life possible due to the wise investment of her lottery win.
Richard Lustig
- Age: 67 (Died 2018)
- Millionaire since: 1993-2010
- Lottery: Multiple Wins
- Jackpot Prize: Total amount $1,052, 205
- Place: Multiple Locations
Richard Lustig became famous for his multiple lotteries wins from 1993 to 2010 – he won seven prizes, and his total wins amount to just over $1 million before taxes. He used his fame to promote his book Learn How To Increase Your Chances of Winning the Lottery. Still, besides his public appearances where he bragged about his lottery wins, very little was known about his wins and how he invested his prize money.
Pearlie Mae Smith
- Age: 76 (Died 2022)
- Millionaire since: 2016
- Lottery: US Powerball
- Jackpot Prize: $429 million
- Place: Trenton, New Jersey
Pearlie Mae Smith was a grandma from New Jersey who won the $429 million prize in the US Powerball lottery in 2016. She chose the lump sum of $281 million and split the prize with her seven children. Each one got about $35 million, and they invested in their church, the Smith Family Foundation, and other charitable and assistance programs. Pearlie Mae Smith passed away in 2022, but her family continues to run the foundation, assist people in need of education, and become self-sufficient.
Paul and Sue Rosenau
- Age: 68 (both)
- Millionaire since: 2008
- Lottery: US Powerball
- Jackpot Prize: $180.1 million ($88 million lump sum before taxes)
- Place: Waseca, Minnesota
- What is their status now: They run the Legacy of Angels Foundation
Paul and Sue Rosenau won the $180.1 million US Powerball prize on 3 May 2008. The couple’s win was bitter-sweet, as it was five years to the day they lost their grandchild to Krabbe disease. Paul and Sue saved some money for them and founded the Legacy of Angels Foundation, which is devoted to finding a cure for the disease. Besides investing their lottery winnings in the foundation, Paul and Sue took a trip to Hawaii and a family trip to Disneyland with their children and grandchild.
Peter Lavery
- Age: 66
- Millionaire since: 2013
- Lottery: Canadian Lotto Max
- Jackpot Prize: $40 million
- Place: Calgary, Canada
- What is their status now: Living a peaceful life, donated his money to different charities
Tom Crist won the Canadian Lotto Max in 2013, a year after his wife died of cancer. Because Tom was already retired and had grown children, he decided to donate his winnings to a trust later donated to various charities. He also pledged a donation to the Alberta Children’s Hospital via a radiothon, and his donation was matched by an anonymous donor, raising $6.6 million for the hospital.
Allen and Violet Large
- Age:
- Millionaire since: 2010
- Lottery: Canada Lotto 6/49
- Jackpot Prize: $11.2 million
- Place: Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
- What is their status now: Gave all the money to charity
Allen and Violet Large were well in their 70’s when they won the Canada Lotto 6/49, winning the $11.2 million prize. They were retirees and well-off financially, so they decided to give away almost all – 98% of their prize money to various charities like the local hospitals, the local fire department, churches, cemeteries, and other causes that they thought were worthy. Violet passed away from cancer in 2011, at 79.
Mofijul Rahima Sheikh
- Age: 28
- Millionaire since: 2016
- Lottery: Karunya Lottery
- Jackpot Prize: $150,000
- Place: Kerala, India
- What is their status now: Living on a farm in West Bengal, India
Mofijul Rahima Sheikh immigrated to Kerala in search of work to earn some money for his impoverished family. Luckily for him, he spent his first day’s wage (50 Rupees) to purchase a lottery ticket from the Karunia (compassion) lottery, where disabled people sell the lottery tickets. His prize was about $150,000, which was enough for him to buy a farm and build a house for his wife and daughter.
Bob Erb
- Age: 70
- Millionaire since: 2012
- Lottery: Canada Lotto Max
- Jackpot Prize: $25 million
- Place: Terrance, Canada
- What is their status now: Living a low-profile life in his hometown
Bob Erb won the Canada Lotto Max prize worth $25 million in 2012. Interestingly, he purchased the ticket on his way to his father’s funeral, and after he learned of his win, he decided to donate most of his money to charities. He’s known for paying for dental work for people who can’t afford it, paying for a burger with a $10K check, telling the waiter to keep the change and help his daughter, and many similar acts of kindness. He was a strong marijuana legalization proponent, and we suppose he enjoys smoking the herb now that it is legal in Canada.
Neal Wanless
- Age: 33
- Millionaire since: 2009
- Lottery: US Powerball
- Jackpot Prize: $232.1 million ($88.5 million lump sum after taxes)
- Place: Winning, South Dakota
- What is their status now: Living and running his ranch
Neal Wanless was a ranch hand and was living with his parents, and he was down on his luck for some time. He decided to spend $15 and play five tickets for the US Powerball, using the birthday of his loved ones on the tickets. Neal won the jackpot of $232.1 million but chose the lump sum of $88.5 million after taxes. He upgraded the family ranch from 320-acre to 32 square miles and invested his time and money into the ranch where he lives his dream life as a cowboy.
How to Win the Lottery and Be the Next Lottery Winner?
There is no single formula for how you can win the lottery. As we can see from the winners above, some played their system, some used lottery predicting software, some played on a hunch, and some just relied on plain, dumb luck.
Lottery | Chance of Winning | Best Jackpot Odds | Current Jackpot | Next Draw | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Powerball | 1:24.9 | 1:292,201,338 | US$ 112 Million | 26/03/2023 01:30 GMT | ||
US MegaMillions | 1:14.7 | 1:302,575,350 | US$ 302 Million | 25/03/2023 01:30 GMT | ||
EuroJackpot | 1:35 | 1:95,344,200 | € 65 Million | 24/03/2023 16:00 GMT | ||
EuroMillions | 1:13 | 1:139,838,160 | € 66 Million | 24/03/2023 15:30 GMT | ||
Italy SuperEnalotto | 1:20 | 1:622,614,630 | € 73.8 Million | 25/03/2023 17:00 GMT | ||
Brazil Mega Sena | 1:2,298 | 1:50,063,860 | R$ 2.5 Million | 22/10/2020 22:00 GMT | ||
Brazil Quina | 1:36 | 1:24,040,016 | $ 2.6 Million | 30/05/2020 23:00 GMT | ||
France Loto | 1:16 | 1:19,068,840 | € 3 Million | 25/03/2023 13:00 GMT | ||
Poland Lotto | 1:54 | 1:13,983,816 | zł 11 Million | 25/03/2023 16:00 GMT | ||
Germany Lotto | 1:63 | 1:139,838,160 | € 39 Million | 25/03/2023 14:00 GMT | ||
Colombia Baloto | 1:16 | 1:15,401,568 | COP 5.2 Billion | 26/03/2023 04:00 GMT | ||
Ukraine Super Loto | 1:07 | 1:20,358,520 | ₴ 14.7 Million | 25/03/2023 15:00 GMT | ||
Canada Lotto 649 | 1:06.6 | 1:13,983,816 | C$ 5 Million | 25/03/2023 22:00 GMT | ||
Portugal Totoloto | 1:14 | 1:24,789,491 | € 4 Million | 25/03/2023 11:00 GMT | ||
Mexico Melate | 1:10 | 1:32,468,436 | MXN 30.9 Million | 24/03/2023 22:00 GMT | ||
Australia Oz Lotto | 1:87 | 1:45,379,620 | AU$ 10 Million | 28/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
South Africa Lotto | 1:71.7 | 1:20,358,520 | R 14 Million | 25/03/2023 12:00 GMT | ||
Ireland Lotto | 1:54 | 1:10,737,573 | € 19 Million | 24/11/2021 17:00 GMT | ||
Poland Mini Lotto | 1:124 | 1:850,668 | zł 400 K | 24/03/2023 16:00 GMT | ||
Austria Lotto | 1:16 | 1:8,415,060 | € 2.4 Million | 26/03/2023 14:00 GMT | ||
Lotto Texas | 1:71,1 | 1:25,827,165 | US$ 57.8 Million | 26/03/2023 01:30 GMT | ||
Loto 7 Japan | 1:42 | 1:10,295,472 | Jackpot pending | 31/03/2023 06:00 GMT | ||
US Lotto America | 1:09.6 | 1:25,989,600 | N/A | N/A | ||
Australia Saturday Lotto | 1:144 | 1:8,145,060 | AU$ 20 Million | 25/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
New York - Take 5 Lotto | 1:10 | 1:575,757 | $ 60 K | 28/05/2020 23:00 GMT | ||
New York Lotto | 1:46.02 | 1:45,057,474 | $ 2.6 Million | 30/05/2020 23:00 GMT | ||
Texas Two-Step | 1:32,4 | 1:1,832,600 | US$ 725 K | 28/03/2023 01:30 GMT | ||
Loto Chile | 1:38 | 1:4,496,388 | CLP 860 Million | 25/03/2023 13:00 GMT | ||
Australia Monday & Wednesday Lotto | 1:144 | 1:8,145,060 | AU$ 1 Million | 27/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
New York - Cash4Life | 1:8 | 1:21,846,048 | US$ 7 Million | 24/03/2023 23:00 GMT | ||
Ontario 49 Canada | 1:06.6 | 1:13,983,816 | C$ 2 Million | 25/03/2023 22:00 GMT | ||
Ukraine Loto Maxima | 1:11 | 1:1,221,759 | ₴ 1.1 Million | 24/03/2023 15:00 GMT | ||
Australian Powerball Lotto | 1:66 | 1:134,490,400 | AU$ 8 Million | 30/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
Ireland Daily Million | 1:28 | 1:3,262,623 | N/A | N/A | ||
Texas - Cash Five | 1:08 | 1:324,632 | US$ 25 K | 25/03/2023 01:30 GMT | ||
Ukraine Megalot | 1:40 | 1:52,457,860 | ₴ 1 | 01/06/2023 17:50 GMT | ||
Australia Superdraw Saturday Lotto | 1:144 | 1:8,145,060 | AU$ 20 Million | 25/03/2023 07:30 GMT | ||
Spain BonoLoto | 1:10 | 1:13,983,816 | € 1.8 Million | 24/03/2023 19:10 GMT | ||
MillionDAY Italy | 1:17 | 1:3,478,761 | € 1 Million | 24/03/2023 17:00 GMT | ||
Spain - La Primitiva | 1:10 | 1:139,838,160 | € 5.1 Million | 25/03/2023 19:10 GMT | ||
Italy Lotto | 1:18 | 1:43,949,268 | € 2.8 Million | 25/03/2023 17:00 GMT | ||
El Gordo - Spain | 1:10 | 1:31,625,100 | N/A | N/A | ||
UK Thunderball | 1:11 | 1:8,060,598 | N/A | N/A | ||
Turkey Lotto 6/49 | 1:8.3 | 1:13,983,816 | N/A | N/A | ||
Romania Lotto 6/49 | 1:57 | 1:13,983,816 | lei 27.6 Million | 26/03/2023 10:00 GMT | ||
Hoosier Lottery | 1:6 | 1:9,366,819 | N/A | N/A | ||
Belgium Lottery | 1:18 | 1:8,145,060 | N/A | N/A | ||
Finland Lottery | 1:19 | 1:18,643,560 | N/A | N/A | ||
Greece Joker | 1:53 | 1:24,435,180 | N/A | N/A | ||
Illinois-Lottery | 1:8.32 | 1:20,358,520 | N/A | N/A | ||
Lotto Max | 1:32.3 | 1:33,294,800 | N/A | N/A | ||
Sweden Lotto | 1:59 | 1:6,724,520 | N/A | N/A | ||
Greece Lotto | 1:61 | 1:13,983,816 | N/A | N/A | ||
Viking Lotto | 1:61 | 1:98,172,096 | N/A | N/A | ||
Swiss Lotto | 1:44 | 1:31,474,716 | N/A | N/A | ||
Peru Tinka | 1:13 | 1:8,145,060 | S/ 8.3 Million | 26/03/2023 15:00 GMT | ||
Japan Mini Lotto | 1:52 | 1:169,911 | ¥ 200 Million | 27/03/2023 06:00 GMT | ||
Lotto India | 1:5 | 1:79,453,500 | NA | NA | ||
Philippines Mega Lotto | 1:45 | 1:8,145,060 | Jackpot pending | 27/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
Philippines Lotto 6/42 | 1:37 | 1:5,245,786 | ₱ 25.1 Million | 25/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
Philippines Grand Lotto 6/55 | 1:19,600 | 1:15,890,700 | ₱ 30 Million | 25/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
Philippines Super Lotto 6/49 | 1:61 | 1:13,983,816 | ₱ 16 Million | 26/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
Philippines Ultra Lotto 6/58 | 1:23,426 | 1:22:957,480 | Jackpot pending | 26/03/2023 08:00 GMT | ||
Kazakhstan Loto 6/49 | 1:8.3 | 1:13,983,816 | Jackpot pending | 27/03/2023 09:00 GMT | ||
Kazakhstan 5/36 | 1:630 | 1:376,992 | Jackpot pending | 25/03/2023 09:00 GMT | ||
🎅 | Lotería de Navidad | 1:6.5 | 1:100,000 | €4 Million | 22/12/2021 14:00 GMT | |
Gosloto 6/45 | 1:7 | 1:8,145,060 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Loto Quebec 49 | 1:32.3 | 1:13,983,816 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Kino Chile | 1:13 | 1:4,457,400 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
UK National Lottery | 1:9.3 | 1:45,057,474 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
How to Protect Yourself As Winners?
If you are among the lucky lottery winners, the first thing you need to do is play it smart and learn to protect yourself and your assets. People will always try to get a part of you and your winnings, as many will feel entitled to your money. Here is a short list of things you should consider doing should you be so lucky to win the lottery:
- Get a new phone number, preferably one that is not listed
- Take down your social media profiles and change your email address
- Get a trusted tax lawyer and a trusted accountant
- Create an LLC that will claim the prize in your name (so you keep your anonymity)
- Pay off your debts and secure your financial feature
- Use the remaining money to invest in a stable investment
FAQs
Who is the wealthiest person to win the lottery?
There are many lucky lottery winners, and here we’ll list the top biggest lotto winners per cash value of their win. Please note that many of these used their newfound wealth smartly, and some did not. Still, here are the top 10 lottery winners by cash prize:
- Richard Wahl – Mega Millions $533 million prize – lump sum $324.6 million
- Lisa and John Robinson – US Powerball $1.568.4 billion (split three ways) – lump sum $327.8 million
- Anonymous winner from New Hampshire – US Powerball $487 million – lump sum $342.7 million
- Anonymous winner from California – Mega Millions $530 million – lump sum $345.2 million
- Anonymous winner from New Hampshire – US Powerball $559.7million – lump sum $352 million
- Gloria C. Mackenzie – US Powerball $590.5 million – lump sum $370.9 million
- Anonymous winner from Indiana – Mega Millions $536 million – lump sum $378.3 million
- Manual Franck – US Powerball $768.4 million – lump sum $477 million
- Mavis Wanczyk – $US Powerball $758.7 million – lump sum $480.5 million
- Anonymous winner from South Carolina – Mega Millions $1.357 billion – lump sum $877.8 million
Where do most lottery winners live?
Most lottery winners are from the USA, as the lotteries here have grand jackpots and are very appealing to many players. The other country with many lottery winners is surprisingly the United Kingdom. Also, you will be amazed to read the enthralling winning stories of the biggest lottery winners in India.
Who won the lottery most times?
A certain Stefan Mandel, a Romanian economist, won the lottery a staggering 14 times. He was an economist and a math wizard who purchased all the possible lottery combinations and won the $27 million Virginia Jackpot in 1992. This was his 14th win, as he tested his theory before and made smaller wins. His winning theory is not applicable anymore, as the number of combinations is too great in lotteries today.
Who is the youngest lottery winner ever?
The youngest confirmed lottery winner is Callie Rogers from Britain. She won the lottery in 2003, when she was 16, winning a prize of £1.9 million. Still, Callie blew all her winnings, and by 2013, she was left with about £2,000 to her name.
Do millionaires play the lottery?
Self-made millionaires and people who have worked for their wealth do not usually play the lottery. Instead, the lottery is played by people who are more inclined to do it to pass the time and maybe create an opportunity for themselves.
Why do so many lottery winners go broke?
Many overnight millionaires that win the lottery and suddenly have a lot of money at their disposal go broke after a while because of poor money management. Most of them are unprepared to deal with such a large cash influx at once, so they either squander their money or are unaware that their winnings are finite.