The Thrill of Hitting the Jackpot – Stories From Winners

Everyone dreams of hitting the lottery jackpot. When record breaking jackpots reach record-setting heights, hopeful individuals buy tickets hoping that one might be their lucky ticket that changes their lives forever.

Winning big can bring many advantages, yet also present difficult decisions and dilemmas. Finding an equilibrium between generosity and self-preservation may prove challenging.

The Rosenau Family

John Whittaker of Canada won more than $315 Million with a lottery jackpot win and donated most of his lump sum (in Canada lottery winnings are not taxed) to charity in her memory two years after losing her wife due to cancer. John felt this would be the best way of honoring her by aiding other families during times of need.

Many winners use their winnings to improve both themselves and those around them, but some misspend it instead – for instance wigmaker Janite Lee who spent her $18 million jackpot on charity and political donations within just 10 years and his fortune was gone forever.

Willie Hurt was one of many winners who struggled with addictions; his cocaine habit cost him an estimated $3.1 million. When someone attempted to repossess his car, he shot and injured them as revenge; later on, he turned to bank robbing to support his habit; eventually caught and jailed for it all. Yet many winners manage to remain humble while enjoying their millions.

Pearlie Mae Smith

Pearlie Mae Smith, 70, and her seven adult children went into a Trenton 7-Eleven last week to purchase two lottery tickets for draws on May 4 and Saturday. Each spent an extra dollar per ticket to upgrade it with Power Play capability and increase winnings.

Pastor Smith admitted she rarely plays the lottery but said her numbers “popped into her head” this day. As such, her family opted for a lump sum payout which will bring home over $284 Million before taxes.

The Smiths have declared they intend to donate 10 percent to their Pentecostal church, take vacations and assist those in need. Furthermore, they plan to set some money aside as savings as well as create the Smith Family Foundation in Trenton to promote positive changes within their local community.

Success with winning a large jackpot can leave winners both thrilled and overwhelmed, so it is essential for winners to consider how their newfound wealth may impact their life, seeking advice from financial specialists for advice as soon as possible.

Billy Bob Harrell Jr.

Billy Bob Harrell Jr. was shot to death three years after winning the lottery, with police ruling it as suicide but his parents refusing to accept this verdict.

Harrell won a $31 million Texas jackpot in June 1997 and life seemed good for a while. He purchased several houses for family members and donated large amounts to his church; any time someone needed help in the congregation he would be there with cash to assist.

But then the requests for money became increasingly frequent, his spending and lending habits spiraling out of control, his marriage breaking apart as his spending and lending habits spiraled out of control, eventually hiring Stone Street Capital – a company offering to convert annual lottery installments into one lump sum. Despite his family’s attempts at persuasion that this was a bad deal he signed the contract despite their protestations that this was indeed too good of a deal and shortly afterwards locked himself up in his upstairs bedroom and put a shotgun barrel against his chest before locking himself up in his upstairs bedroom and pressing it against his chest with shotgun barrel.

Jane Park

Jane Park of Edinburgh earned fame when she won a PS1m EuroMillions jackpot at age 17. Since then, she has openly shared her wealth with followers across social media, regularly appearing on TV and public panels to discuss it and her spending spree which included cars, property purchases, holidays and purchasing Princess (her Chihuahua). However, Jane also spoke openly about undergoing two Brazilian butt lift procedures which left her fighting for life in hospital with sepsis infection.

Jane is an internationally recognized expert on consumer brand building and the founder of Tokki, a social gifting platform designed to be regifted again and again. She frequently speaks at consumer, technology and women’s leadership conferences worldwide.

Have you enjoyed reading this story? Sign up for our morning and evening newsletters today, it’s free and easy. And we promise not to share your information with anyone else!