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American woman wins record $758mn lottery, quits her job

American woman wins record $758mn lottery, quits her job

Aug 25, 2017
10:06 am

What's the story

What's the first thing you'll do after winning a lottery? For a 53-year-old mother-of-two from Massachusetts, it's quitting her job to "just sit back and relax." Mavis Wanczyk has come forward to claim the biggest lottery jackpot in North American history - $758.7 million. The Massachusetts State Lottery is validating her claim. The previous highest jackpot worth $1.6 billion was split between three winners.

How much?

Wanczyk will receive $443mn after taxes

Wanczyk said she bought the lottery ticket at a petrol station in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She said the lucky numbers 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26, and 4, were selected based on her relatives' birthdays. The odds of winning a jackpot are one in 292.2 million. Wanczyk will receive around $443 million after taxes either in a lump sum or over 29 annual payments.

Statement

Wanczy: Winning the lottery was a 'dream come true'

"I had a pipe dream.. and it came true," Wanczyk told reporters. Wanczyk has worked at a medical centre for the past 32 years but she "called them and told them I will not be going back." The petrol station's owner who sold her the prize winning lottery said he'll donate a $50,000 prize to charity.

Information

Who else won?

Charlie McIntyre, the chairman of the Powerball Product Group, said six other tickets sold across the US won $2 million each. Meanwhile, 34 other ticket owners won $1 million.