The lottery is a game of luck, but for some, it’s been nothing short of life-changing. From humble beginnings to astounding financial success, these are the stories of some of the luckiest lottery winners in history.
The first story is that of Jack Whittaker from West Virginia. In 2002, he won $314.9 million in the Powerball and became one of the largest single-ticket winners ever. After winning, he said “I hope I can handle it as well as anyone else” – and handle it he did! He used his winnings to improve his local community and set up several charitable foundations to help those in need.
Not far behind Mr Whittaker is Gloria Mackenzie from Florida who won an incredible $590 million in 2013. The 84-year-old grandmother had been playing the same numbers for years when she finally hit the jackpot. She donated generously to educational charities and her church before passing away in 2016 at the age of 90.
In Europe, we have our own inspiring story: Colin and Chris Weir from Scotland became Europe’s biggest lottery winners when they scooped £161 million in 2011 on EuroMillions. They used their winnings to start a film production company and make generous donations to good causes such as medical research charities and animal welfare organizations.
Finally, we have what may be one of the most remarkable stories of all – that of Mavis Wanczyk from Massachusetts who took home an astonishing $758 million after taxes on Powerball in 2017. It was a record prize for any lottery winner ever! Since then, Mavis has kept out of the limelight but reportedly continues to donate generously to charity while enjoying her newfound wealth with family and friends
These are just some examples of how life can change dramatically with a little bit (or a lot!) of luck. For these individuals, winning the lottery was more than just money – it was an opportunity to give back and make a real impact on their communities and beyond.
