Lottery Winners Who Are Still Rich (Updated 2023)

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.

Brad Duke

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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	Play
	US MegaMillions	1:14.7	1:302,575,350	US$ 302 Million	25/03/2023 01:30 GMT	Play
	EuroJackpot	1:35	1:95,344,200	€ 65 Million	24/03/2023 16:00 GMT	Play
	EuroMillions	1:13	1:139,838,160	€ 66 Million	24/03/2023 15:30 GMT	Play
	Italy SuperEnalotto	1:20	1:622,614,630	€ 73.8 Million	25/03/2023 17:00 GMT	Play
	Brazil Mega Sena	1:2,298	1:50,063,860	R$ 2.5 Million	22/10/2020 22:00 GMT	Play
	Brazil Quina	1:36	1:24,040,016	$ 2.6 Million	30/05/2020 23:00 GMT	Play
	France Loto	1:16	1:19,068,840	€ 3 Million	25/03/2023 13:00 GMT	Play
	Poland Lotto	1:54	1:13,983,816	zł 11 Million	25/03/2023 16:00 GMT	Play
	Germany Lotto	1:63	1:139,838,160	€ 39 Million	25/03/2023 14:00 GMT	Play
	Colombia Baloto	1:16	1:15,401,568	COP 5.2 Billion	26/03/2023 04:00 GMT	Play
	Ukraine Super Loto	1:07	1:20,358,520	₴ 14.7 Million	25/03/2023 15:00 GMT	Play
	Canada Lotto 649	1:06.6	1:13,983,816	C$ 5 Million	25/03/2023 22:00 GMT	Play
	Portugal Totoloto	1:14	1:24,789,491	€ 4 Million	25/03/2023 11:00 GMT	Play
	Mexico Melate	1:10	1:32,468,436	MXN 30.9 Million	24/03/2023 22:00 GMT	Play
	Australia Oz Lotto	1:87	1:45,379,620	AU$ 10 Million	28/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	South Africa Lotto	1:71.7	1:20,358,520	R 14 Million	25/03/2023 12:00 GMT	Play
	Ireland Lotto	1:54	1:10,737,573	€ 19 Million	24/11/2021 17:00 GMT	Play
	Poland Mini Lotto	1:124	1:850,668	zł 400 K	24/03/2023 16:00 GMT	Play
	Austria Lotto	1:16	1:8,415,060	€ 2.4 Million	26/03/2023 14:00 GMT	Play
	Lotto Texas	1:71,1	1:25,827,165	US$ 57.8 Million	26/03/2023 01:30 GMT	Play
	Loto 7 Japan	1:42	1:10,295,472	Jackpot pending	31/03/2023 06:00 GMT	Play
	US Lotto America	1:09.6	1:25,989,600	N/A	N/A	Play
	Australia Saturday Lotto	1:144	1:8,145,060	AU$ 20 Million	25/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	New York - Take 5 Lotto	1:10	1:575,757	$ 60 K	28/05/2020 23:00 GMT	Play
	New York Lotto	1:46.02	1:45,057,474	$ 2.6 Million	30/05/2020 23:00 GMT	Play
	Texas Two-Step	1:32,4	1:1,832,600	US$ 725 K	28/03/2023 01:30 GMT	Play
	Loto Chile	1:38	1:4,496,388	CLP 860 Million	25/03/2023 13:00 GMT	Play
	Australia Monday & Wednesday Lotto	1:144	1:8,145,060	AU$ 1 Million	27/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	New York - Cash4Life	1:8	1:21,846,048	US$ 7 Million	24/03/2023 23:00 GMT	Play
	Ontario 49 Canada	1:06.6	1:13,983,816	C$ 2 Million	25/03/2023 22:00 GMT	Play
	Ukraine Loto Maxima	1:11	1:1,221,759	₴ 1.1 Million	24/03/2023 15:00 GMT	Play
	Australian Powerball Lotto	1:66	1:134,490,400	AU$ 8 Million	30/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	Ireland Daily Million	1:28	1:3,262,623	N/A	N/A	Play
	Texas - Cash Five	1:08	1:324,632	US$ 25 K	25/03/2023 01:30 GMT	Play
	Ukraine Megalot	1:40	1:52,457,860	₴ 1	01/06/2023 17:50 GMT	Play
	Australia Superdraw Saturday Lotto	1:144	1:8,145,060	AU$ 20 Million	25/03/2023 07:30 GMT	Play
	Spain BonoLoto	1:10	1:13,983,816	€ 1.8 Million	24/03/2023 19:10 GMT	Play
	MillionDAY Italy	1:17	1:3,478,761	€ 1 Million	24/03/2023 17:00 GMT	Play
	Spain - La Primitiva	1:10	1:139,838,160	€ 5.1 Million	25/03/2023 19:10 GMT	Play
	Italy Lotto	1:18	1:43,949,268	€ 2.8 Million	25/03/2023 17:00 GMT	Play
	El Gordo - Spain	1:10	1:31,625,100	N/A	N/A	Play
	UK Thunderball	1:11	1:8,060,598	N/A	N/A	Play
	Turkey Lotto 6/49	1:8.3	1:13,983,816	N/A	N/A	Play
	Romania Lotto 6/49	1:57	1:13,983,816	lei 27.6 Million	26/03/2023 10:00 GMT	Play
	Hoosier Lottery	1:6	1:9,366,819	N/A	N/A	Play
	Belgium Lottery	1:18	1:8,145,060	N/A	N/A	Play
	Finland Lottery	1:19	1:18,643,560	N/A	N/A	Play
	Greece Joker	1:53	1:24,435,180	N/A	N/A	Play
	Illinois-Lottery	1:8.32	1:20,358,520	N/A	N/A	Play
	Lotto Max	1:32.3	1:33,294,800	N/A	N/A	Play
	Sweden Lotto	1:59	1:6,724,520	N/A	N/A	Play
	Greece Lotto	1:61	1:13,983,816	N/A	N/A	Play
	Viking Lotto	1:61	1:98,172,096	N/A	N/A	Play
	Swiss Lotto	1:44	1:31,474,716	N/A	N/A	Play
	Peru Tinka	1:13	1:8,145,060	S/ 8.3 Million	26/03/2023 15:00 GMT	Play
	Japan Mini Lotto	1:52	1:169,911	¥ 200 Million	27/03/2023 06:00 GMT	Play
	Lotto India	1:5	1:79,453,500	NA	NA	Play
	Philippines Mega Lotto	1:45	1:8,145,060	Jackpot pending	27/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	Philippines Lotto 6/42	1:37	1:5,245,786	₱ 25.1 Million	25/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	Philippines Grand Lotto 6/55	1:19,600	1:15,890,700	₱ 30 Million	25/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	Philippines Super Lotto 6/49	1:61	1:13,983,816	₱ 16 Million	26/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	Philippines Ultra Lotto 6/58	1:23,426	1:22:957,480	Jackpot pending	26/03/2023 08:00 GMT	Play
	Kazakhstan Loto 6/49	1:8.3	1:13,983,816	Jackpot pending	27/03/2023 09:00 GMT	Play
	Kazakhstan 5/36	1:630	1:376,992	Jackpot pending	25/03/2023 09:00 GMT	Play
🎅	Lotería de Navidad	1:6.5	1:100,000	€4 Million	22/12/2021 14:00 GMT	Play
	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

You can use the lottery strategies we have prepared for you here and get better winning odds. Many things can increase your winning chances so that you won’t rely only on luck. For more info, you can also follow our detailed advice on how you can increase your chances of winning the lottery.

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:

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:

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.