A stranger was kind enough to let an 84-year-old senior citizen step in front of him to buy a lottery ticket.
That elderly lady is now the largest single Powerball winner in U.S. history.
Gloria C. Mackenzie of Zephyrhills, Fla. has stepped forward to claim the record $590.5 million jackpot.
She's decided to pocket the lump sum, which comes out to a whopping $370,896,780.54 before taxes.
“While in line, another lottery player was kind enough to let me purchase the ticket before him,” Mackenzie said in a statement read by a Florida Lottery representative. “We are grateful for the blessing and appreciate the interest. We hope everyone will give us the opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family's benefit."
The elderly woman had a 1 in 175.2 million chance of winning the grand prize, ABC reports. Mackenzie beat those odds on May 18 by choosing all the right numbers at a Publix supermarket: 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11.
She paid just $2 for her ticket to the good life.
Since the winner cannot remain anonymous under state law, Mackenzie’s name was made public during a press conference on Wednesday. The millionaire decided not to attend, adding to the mystery surrounding her.
The woman has kept a low profile during the past two weeks.
Earlier, Mackenzie was spotted visiting the Florida lottery office in Tallahassee with her son Scott Mackenzie, a trusted family friend, and legal and financial advisors.
News that a millionaire might be strolling through their neighborhood set Zephyrhills abuzz with curiosity.
The town of 13,337 is about 30 miles northeast of downtown Tampa. It is best known for bottled spring water that bears its name.
The Florida Lottery office could not confirm whether the 84-year-old is retired or how she will spend her millions.
The grand prize in the drawing had accumulated over two months, and surpassed the previous record Powerball payout of $587.5 million set in November 2012.
The largest jackpot in U.S. history stands at $656 million, won in the Mega Millions lottery of March 2012. That prize was split between winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois
Only in America
That elderly lady is now the largest single Powerball winner in U.S. history.
Gloria C. Mackenzie of Zephyrhills, Fla. has stepped forward to claim the record $590.5 million jackpot.
She's decided to pocket the lump sum, which comes out to a whopping $370,896,780.54 before taxes.
“While in line, another lottery player was kind enough to let me purchase the ticket before him,” Mackenzie said in a statement read by a Florida Lottery representative. “We are grateful for the blessing and appreciate the interest. We hope everyone will give us the opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family's benefit."
The elderly woman had a 1 in 175.2 million chance of winning the grand prize, ABC reports. Mackenzie beat those odds on May 18 by choosing all the right numbers at a Publix supermarket: 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11.
She paid just $2 for her ticket to the good life.
Since the winner cannot remain anonymous under state law, Mackenzie’s name was made public during a press conference on Wednesday. The millionaire decided not to attend, adding to the mystery surrounding her.
The woman has kept a low profile during the past two weeks.
Earlier, Mackenzie was spotted visiting the Florida lottery office in Tallahassee with her son Scott Mackenzie, a trusted family friend, and legal and financial advisors.
News that a millionaire might be strolling through their neighborhood set Zephyrhills abuzz with curiosity.
The town of 13,337 is about 30 miles northeast of downtown Tampa. It is best known for bottled spring water that bears its name.
The Florida Lottery office could not confirm whether the 84-year-old is retired or how she will spend her millions.
The grand prize in the drawing had accumulated over two months, and surpassed the previous record Powerball payout of $587.5 million set in November 2012.
The largest jackpot in U.S. history stands at $656 million, won in the Mega Millions lottery of March 2012. That prize was split between winners in Maryland, Kansas and Illinois
Only in America
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