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84-year-old Florida woman claims $590 million Powerball jackpot, becoming the largest sole winner in history
Gloria C. Mackenzie bought the winning Quick Pick ticket in Zephyrhills, Fla, after a kind stranger let her step ahead in line. The elderly woman chose to receive her millions in a one-time, lump sum of more than $370 million before taxes.
A stranger was kind enough to let an 84-year-old senior citizen step in front of him to buy a Quick Pick lottery ticket.
That gracious act backfired after the elderly lady became the largest sole Powerball winner in U.S. history.
After keeping a low profile for two weeks, Gloria C. Mackenzie of Zephyrhills, Fla. has finally stepped forward to claim the record $590.5 million jackpot.
She decided to pocket a one-time lump sum, which comes out to a whopping $370,896,780.54 before taxes.
Since the winner cannot remain anonymous under state law, Mackenzie’s name was made public during a press conference on Wednesday. She did not speak to reporters outside lottery headquarters, leaving in a silver Ford Focus with family members.
“We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery powerball jackpot and appreciate the interest of the public, state of Florida and the Lottery," Mackenzie said in a statement read by a Florida Lottery representative. "We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family’s benefit."
She had purchased four other tickets before buying her $2 ticket to the good life — a ticket that almost slipped out of her hands.
"While in line at Publix, another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket," Mackenzie revealed in the statement.
The elderly woman still had incredible odds to beat. She had a 1 in 175.2 million chance of winning the grand prize, ABC reports. Thanks to the Good Samaritan, Mackenzie was given all the right numbers on May 18: 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11.
Prior to the drawing, Mackenzie agreed to split any proceeds with her son, Scott Mackenzie. The Florida Lottery office could not confirm whether the 84-year-old is retired or how she will spend her millions.
Earlier, Mackenzie was spotted visiting the Florida lottery office in Tallahassee with her son, a trusted family friend, and legal and financial advisors.
News that a millionaire might be strolling through their neighborhood set Zephyrhills abuzz with curiosity.
Gloria C. Mackenzie bought the winning Quick Pick ticket in Zephyrhills, Fla, after a kind stranger let her step ahead in line. The elderly woman chose to receive her millions in a one-time, lump sum of more than $370 million before taxes.
A stranger was kind enough to let an 84-year-old senior citizen step in front of him to buy a Quick Pick lottery ticket.
That gracious act backfired after the elderly lady became the largest sole Powerball winner in U.S. history.
After keeping a low profile for two weeks, Gloria C. Mackenzie of Zephyrhills, Fla. has finally stepped forward to claim the record $590.5 million jackpot.
She decided to pocket a one-time lump sum, which comes out to a whopping $370,896,780.54 before taxes.
Since the winner cannot remain anonymous under state law, Mackenzie’s name was made public during a press conference on Wednesday. She did not speak to reporters outside lottery headquarters, leaving in a silver Ford Focus with family members.
“We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery powerball jackpot and appreciate the interest of the public, state of Florida and the Lottery," Mackenzie said in a statement read by a Florida Lottery representative. "We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family’s benefit."
She had purchased four other tickets before buying her $2 ticket to the good life — a ticket that almost slipped out of her hands.
"While in line at Publix, another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket," Mackenzie revealed in the statement.
The elderly woman still had incredible odds to beat. She had a 1 in 175.2 million chance of winning the grand prize, ABC reports. Thanks to the Good Samaritan, Mackenzie was given all the right numbers on May 18: 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11.
Prior to the drawing, Mackenzie agreed to split any proceeds with her son, Scott Mackenzie. The Florida Lottery office could not confirm whether the 84-year-old is retired or how she will spend her millions.
Earlier, Mackenzie was spotted visiting the Florida lottery office in Tallahassee with her son, a trusted family friend, and legal and financial advisors.
News that a millionaire might be strolling through their neighborhood set Zephyrhills abuzz with curiosity.
