Biggest Lottery Winners Ever: Where Are They Now?
Huge jackpots come with long odds, but those who beat them don’t always end up secure or satisfied. Some winners dealt with lawsuits or criminal cases within months, while others lost everything to gambling, poor planning, or fraud. A few individuals even gave away their money and then declared bankruptcy.
Even billion-dollar winners have faced house fires, serious health problems, and public scrutiny. At the end of the day, there is no denying that lottery money has changed lives in direct and sometimes irreversible ways.
Edwin Castro
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The ticket that triggered the largest U.S. jackpot ever came out of a gas station in Altadena, California. After claiming the $2.04 billion prize, Castro became a target of a lawsuit by a man who accused him of stealing the ticket. The court dismissed the case, but he made headlines again when a wildfire destroyed his home in Malibu.
Charlie Saephan
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After winning $1.3 billion in 2024, Charlie Saephan kept his focus on something he’d been dealing with long before the prize: cancer. Nine years into treatment, he used part of the money to continue medical care and scheduled two surgeries shortly after the win. He remained in Portland, where he had lived before the drawing, and avoided major lifestyle changes.
Lara and Roger Griffiths
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This UK couple claimed their $2.4 million jackpot in 2005 and bought a Porsche, upgraded their home, and took trips abroad. Things fell apart when their underinsured house was destroyed in a fire, followed by reports of an affair and a separation. The money was gone within five years, and Lara and Roger Griffith’s marriage didn’t survive much longer.
Jack Whittaker
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Having won $315 million just before Christmas in 2002, Jack Whittaker found himself surrounded by problems. Thieves stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his car more than once, and lawsuits targeted his construction company. His granddaughter later lost her life under troubling circumstances. He later described the experience as damaging and blamed the money for exposing his family to unwanted attention.
Sharon Tirabassi
Credit: lottoanalyst
When her $10 million check arrived in 2004, this Ontario mother had been living on welfare. She spent on parties, luxury goods, loans to friends, and travel. Less than a decade later, Sharon Tirabassi was back to riding the bus and working part-time while renting a home. She set up trusts for her six children, who will gain access once they reach the age of 26.
Evelyn Adams
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Lottery officials confirmed Evelyn Adams’ back-to-back wins in the mid-1980s, which totaled over $5 million. She visited Atlantic City often, and reports later confirmed she lost much of her windfall gambling. In interviews, she disclosed feeling overwhelmed by requests for money. Her name became widely cited in early news pieces about lottery winners who struggled financially.
Theodorus Struyck
Credit: Reddit
Months after taking part in a $1.76 billion Powerball jackpot, this retired UPS worker was still driving the same truck he’d had before. He was spotted staying with relatives in San Diego and reportedly looking for a house in the area. He shared the funds with friends and didn’t comment publicly about his plans.
Bud Post
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The $16.2 million payout in 1988 led Bud Post straight into court cases, unpaid bills, and threats to his life. A former girlfriend successfully sued for a third of his prize. On the other hand, his brother attempted to hire a hitman to take his life. He tried launching family businesses that failed, and later fired a gun during a dispute with a bill collector.
Michael Carroll
Credit: Reddit
At age 19, this UK winner walked away with nearly £10 million and spent it on cars, drugs, and parties that made him a regular in tabloid headlines. His money vanished in about five years. Legal issues followed, and the attention didn’t die down easily. He lived out much of the fallout in full view of the press, which used his story to warn others about the dangers of rapid spending.
Janite Lee
Credit: SBS
By donating large sums early on, Janite Lee became known for her generosity after securing $18 million. She gave to political campaigns and funded a university reading room, which gained praise. Behind the scenes, though, she built up gambling losses and heavy credit card debt. By 2001, she filed for bankruptcy.