What’s it like to become an “almost billionaire” overnight?
Of the small group of Powerball and Mega Millions billion-dollar lottery winners, likely life-changing.
For the sole winner of the $2.04 billion Powerball drawing on Nov. 7, 2022, for example, life seems a bit more glamorous. Edwin Castro won the largest-ever lottery jackpot, and he opted for a lump sum of $997.6 million, just shy of $1 billion, according to the California Lottery. Since his historic win, news reports show he has splurged, buying not one, not two, but three multimillion-dollar homes in his home state of California, and many vintage cars that are sure to turn heads. Though he declined to appear publicly when he claimed the grand prize two months after the drawing, he complimented California public schools “as the real winner” and said in a written statement he was shocked and ecstatic.
In California, it is public record to know the names of lottery jackpot winners.
It’s slightly different in Florida, however: It is public record to know the names and identity of lottery jackpot winners unless the winnings are claimed via a trust, Florida Lottery officials have said. So while we may know who or what trust claimed a billion-dollar Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot in the Sunshine State, we may never know what their plans would be for the prize money.
Over the years, some billion-dollar lottery winners have opted not to make a public statement, but their name is on record, and some have remained anonymous because their state lottery allows it.
As of Aug. 13, 2024, there have been 11 Mega Millions and Powerball lottery jackpots that have surpassed $1 billion or more in the history of the games. Only once has a lottery prize reached $2 billion.
2 weeks after $1.05 Powerball jackpot, Mega Millions has its own $1.10 billion grand prize
What did $2.04 billion Powerball lottery winner, Edwin Castro of California, do with his prize money?
Edwin Castro of Altadena, California, won the Nov. 7, 2022, Powerball drawing for $2.04 billion, the largest-ever lottery jackpot. On Valentine’s Day 2023, Castro opted for a lump sum of $997.6 million, just shy of $1 billion, according to the California Lottery. After taxes, Castro walked away with $628.5 million, USA TODAY reported.
On March 1, 2023, Castro bought a $25.5 million estate in Hollywood Hills, California. According to USA TODAY, the 13,500-square-foot mansion, sometimes referred to as “Palazzo di Vista,” sits on a 0.58-acre lot and features five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, game room, wine cellar, movie theater, bar, spa and fitness studio. The main room is on the third floor and has its own balcony. Other amenities include a garage big enough to park seven cars. Most of the house, which sports an outdoor infinity pool and fireplace, is made up of glass walls.
On March 9, 2023, according to the New York Post, Castro purchased a second home in Altadena, a $4 million mansion with views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Features of the 1953 Japanese-style home include a pool, movie theater, five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the New York Post reported. Castro was reportedly living in a one-bedroom home when he won the Powerball. The New York Post said Castro also bought a vintage white Porsche for $250,000.
On Sept. 6, 2023, Castro bought a third home, a $47 million mansion in Los Angeles from celebrity realtor Mauricio Umansky, USA TODAY reported in September 2023. The seven-bedroom, 11-bathroom home has a koi pond and infinity pool, offering a panoramic view of the city. Other features include DJ turntables, a Champagne room, glass walkway, wine cellar and (like his other California homes) a home theater. The bedrooms boast walk-in closets, oversized bathtubs and relaxing sitting areas.
In addition to his luxury splurges, Castro has a round-the-clock security team.
Who sold winning Powerball ticket worth $2.04 billion?
California Lottery announced Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, near Los Angeles, sold the winning ticket. The identity of the lottery retailer was released a day after the drawing.
In a press conference, owner Joe Chahayed Jr. said he wanted to share the money with his 11 grandchildren. Chahayed and his his son, Joe Chahayed Jr., posed for pictures outside Joe’s Service Center. California Lottery awarded Chahayed a $1 million commission bonus.
“We want to thank all of our community members that always come that are dedicated to this station,” Chahayed said at the Nov. 9, 2022, news conference. “They truly believe in luck and they truly believe that some things are just deserved to be.”
When did lotto jackpots hit $1 billion or more? How many times has Mega Millions and Powerball lottery jackpots reached $2 billion?
As of Aug. 13, 2024, there have been 11 lottery jackpots that have reached or surpassed $1 billion. Only once has a jackpot surpassed $2 billion.
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$2.04 billion Powerball prize, Nov. 7, 2022, Edwin Castro of Altadena, California
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$1.73 billion Powerball prize, Oct. 11, 2023, Theodorus Struyck of California (ticket purchased at Midway Market in California)
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$1.586 billion Powerball prize, Jan. 13, 2016, Marvin and Mae Acosta of California, Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida, and John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee
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$1.58 billion Mega Millions prize, Aug. 8, 2023, Saltines Holdings LLC of Miami, Florida
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$1.537 billion Mega Millions prize, Oct. 23, 2018, won by an anonymous player in South Carolina
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$1.348 billion Mega Millions prize, Jan. 13, 2023, LaKoma Island Investments, LLC, with the ticket purchased in Lebanon, Maine
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$1.337 billion Mega Millions prize, July 29, 2022, won by an anonymous partnership with a ticket purchased in Des Plaines, Illinois
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$1.326 billion Powerball prize, April 6, 2024, Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and Laiza Chao of Oregon
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$1.128 billion Mega Millions prize, March 26, 2024, won by an anonymous winner in New Jersey with the ticket purchased at ShopRite Liquor No. 781 in Neptune Township, New Jersey
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$1.08 billion Powerball prize, July 19, 2023, Yanira Alvarez of California
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$1.050 billion Mega Millions prize, Jan. 22, 2021, won by the Wolverine FLL Club of Oakland County, Michigan
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Powerball winner took cash not $2 billion. How he spent the money
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