The Powerball jackpot lottery winner has won a life-changing prize worth more than $1.9 billion. Depending on where they live, winners can choose between a lump sum payment and an annuity over 29 years.
People in populous states like New York and California win more often, but that’s not because they have better odds. It’s because more people play there.
1. Cheng Saephan
After losing his job as a machinist, Cheng Saephan and his wife were struggling to pay their bills. So, he decided to try his luck with the lottery. The immigrant from Laos and his friend decided to buy a ticket at a convenience store in Oregon for the Powerball jackpot, which ended up being the eighth-largest in US history.
At a press conference on Monday, the 46-year-old immigrant spoke of his life-changing win. He opted for a lump sum payment of $422 million after taxes, and will share his prize with his wife, Duanpen Saephan, and friend Liza Chao. The winners are residents of Portland and Milwaukie, respectively. Chao reportedly worked with Saephan at a factory in the area.
2. Duanpen Saephan
The winner of the Powerball jackpot was a Laos immigrant named Cheng Saephan. He purchased his winning ticket at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland, Oregon. He says that when he realized he had won, he immediately called his wife and friend. He told her, “You don’t have to work now.”
Saephan and his wife, Duanpen, will split the prize, which totals over $422 million after taxes, evenly. They will also share part of the prize with a friend who chipped in $100 toward their tickets, Laiza Chao, from Milwaukie, Oregon.
Lottery officials warn people not to call a number or respond to a text that claims to be from Saephan offering a cut of his winnings. These messages are scams, aimed at stealing money or personal information.
3. Liza Chao
Despite her life-changing jackpot, Chao is staying true to her principles. She and her husband will use a portion of their winnings to help their family and others in need.
Chao’s luck came after a trip to the grocery store. As she was leaving a deli, she noticed a Powerball advertisement.
After 35 consecutive draws without a winner, the Powerball jackpot finally rolled over on Oct. 11. It was won by a ticket purchased in California. The winner was represented by Theodorus Struyck.
Powerball is played in 45 states and the US Virgin Islands, which means there are a lot of potential winners. Check out this table to see if your state has had a lucky winner. You can also consult a certified financial planner or tax attorney to find out whether you should take the lump sum payment or annuity payments over time.
4. Yanira Alvarez
The winner of this week’s Powerball jackpot has yet to be identified. But whoever it is will have plenty of cash to spend on vacations, new cars and helping family and friends.
She has opted for the one-time lump sum of $558.1 million before taxes. She will be the fourth millionaire to claim a Powerball prize this year. The other winners include Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida; and Marvin and Mae Acosta of California.
The top 5 powerball jackpot lottery winner is a Californian who purchased her ticket at Las Palmitas Mini Market, a tiny convenience store in downtown Los Angeles. Her win came a year after Edwin Castro scooped the world’s biggest-ever lottery jackpot of $2.04 billion in November 2022.
5. The Breakfast Club
The Michigan Lottery has solved a six-month mystery and named a trio from mid-Michigan who call themselves The Breakfast Club as the winners of a $842.4 million Powerball jackpot. The unnamed members of the lottery group matched the winning numbers from the Jan. 1 drawing – 12-21-42-44-49 and PB 01 – on a ticket purchased at the Food Castle of Grand Blanc.
The Breakfast Club member who purchased the winning ticket told a press conference through his attorney that he was “stunned” upon realizing they had won. He said he saw the news of the win and went to check the ticket numbers on his phone, dropping it in the process. Despite the shock, he and his wife still went to work.
The trio elected to receive their prize as a one-time lump sum payment of $425 million after taxes. They plan to retire earlier than expected, travel and share their wealth with immediate family and nonprofits close to their hearts.