Spare change purchases, wrong store lines, fortune cookie numbers, lost tickets found months later. These are real stories of how random moments created millionaires.
Walked around as millionaires without knowing
The winning ticket was purchased at a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills during what appears to be a routine commute. Within an hour of the January 13, 2016 drawing announcement, thousands descended on the store. News helicopters circled and crowds chanted "Chino Hills!" The Acostas waited 188 days to claim, executing the "Ghost Protocol" - moving out of their Eastvale home the Thursday before their Friday claim.
On Jan 2, 2024, husband saw news that winning ticket sold at Food Castle. Checked numbers on phone and DROPPED IT in shock. Both spouses still went to work that day as normal.
On Oct 11, 2023, Theodorus B. Struyck purchased winning ticket at Midway Market & Liquor (Nidal "Andy" Khalil owner, received $1M bonus), located just 500 yards from his modest $90K home in Frazier Park. Trust name "Opa Can Rest Now Trust" (Opa = grandfather in Dutch/German). Despite winning $1.765 billion (2nd largest ever), he was photographed shopping at Walmart, eating at Taco Bell and In-N-Out, driving a GMC Sierra pickup (~$79-100K - his only major purchase). Originally from Hawaii, Dutch surname origin.
How Orlando Zavala Lozano discovered his $316.3 million win remains a mystery — because he never told anyone. While the Wisconsin couple who split the same jackpot went on TV within weeks, Orlando stayed completely silent. No interviews. No press conferences. No social media posts. For 134 days, he held one of the largest winning tickets in California history while the media hunted for "the mystery winner." When he finally claimed in May 2022, he provided nothing but his signature. The only public record of his reaction? Silence. Complete, strategic, valuable silence.
Was at her workplace (car dealership) the morning after the draw when a friend contacted her via FaceTime, alerting her that the winning ticket was sold at Huron Plaza Liquor. She verified the numbers in her truck. "All I could do was scream." The shock was so severe her employer sent her home. She had bought one Powerball, one Mega Millions, and some scratch-offs on an impulse stop with a friend.
Dreams, fortune cookies, and lucky feelings
His regular store was CLOSED on Thursday Nov 14, forcing him to buy at Brighton Beach Bakery Deli instead. That minor deviation created the $130.3M win. Scanned ticket Sunday at regular store - machine said "Big winner. See retailer." Instead of asking clerk, he quietly left and went home, verified online an hour later.
Wrote numbers 1-69 on paper, slept with it under pillow for 2 weeks while praying. Quick Pick ticket won. Called friend Laiza: "You don't have to go to work anymore."
Was on a business trip during the drawing. Returned to Dahl's 3 days later, saw banner announcing winning ticket sold there, asked clerk to verify. Kept secret for 36 hours. Revealed at 9:30 PM Sunday.
Yanira Alvarez discovered her $1.08 billion win but said nothing. No press conference. No interviews. No celebration photos. California law forced her name public, but that's all she gave. The only witness account came from a store worker who described "a Hispanic lady, an old lady" buying the ticket. The day after the win, an impersonator appeared at Las Palmitas claiming to be the winner - quickly proven false. But Yanira herself? Still silent. Her discovery moment remains her secret.
Rain delays, ice cream cravings, last-minute decisions
Bailey played same numbers for 25+ YEARS - given by a family member. Original: 8-12-13-19-27-40, changed 40 to 4 for Powerball. "It was raining that day so I went into the deli to get out of the rain and bought my ticket there." Checked numbers at 11:30 PM watching college football: "When I saw the eight and the 12 I was in shock—woah."
Gloria checked her tickets at home and discovered she held the sole winning ticket worth $590.5 million - the largest single-ticket jackpot in Powerball history at that time. She had a standing agreement with son Scott to split any winnings. They waited 18 days before claiming, using the time to assemble legal and financial teams. The "good deed" of letting an elderly woman cut in line became the most consequential random act of kindness in lottery history.
Was on a business trip during the drawing. Returned to Dahl's 3 days later, saw banner announcing winning ticket sold there, asked clerk to verify. Kept secret for 36 hours. Revealed at 9:30 PM Sunday.
Initially bought Scratchers at Marietta Liquor & Deli, won small amount, returned to buy 10 Powerball tickets "on a whim." Ticket sat on kitchen counter unnoticed for days until hearing media reports that winning ticket sold in Sun City neighborhood. Waited 39 days to assemble legal/financial team before claiming.
Intense physical reactions when they realized
Left the winning ticket on his kitchen table for a WEEK while vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland. Upon return, he saw news reports that the winner had not come forward. Checked numbers online, verified twice, then immediately secured it in a safety deposit box. Claimed 7 weeks later via "The Sea & Sand Trust" at Resorts World Casino - named for his vacation that nearly made him miss the deadline.
Was sick but came to work on Dec 26 for holiday pay. Bought $5 Quick Pick. Coworker called about winning ticket; didn't check believing "that's not my luck". Checked two days later, jumped up and down. Stored ticket in "ratty jacket" for security.
Bailey played same numbers for 25+ YEARS - given by a family member. Original: 8-12-13-19-27-40, changed 40 to 4 for Powerball. "It was raining that day so I went into the deli to get out of the rain and bought my ticket there." Checked numbers at 11:30 PM watching college football: "When I saw the eight and the 12 I was in shock—woah."
Wrote numbers 1-69 on paper, slept with it under pillow for 2 weeks while praying. Quick Pick ticket won. Called friend Laiza: "You don't have to go to work anymore."
Tickets found in wallets, bibles, gloveboxes
Left the winning ticket on his kitchen table for a WEEK while vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland. Upon return, he saw news reports that the winner had not come forward. Checked numbers online, verified twice, then immediately secured it in a safety deposit box. Claimed 7 weeks later via "The Sea & Sand Trust" at Resorts World Casino - named for his vacation that nearly made him miss the deadline.
Was sick but came to work on Dec 26 for holiday pay. Bought $5 Quick Pick. Coworker called about winning ticket; didn't check believing "that's not my luck". Checked two days later, jumped up and down. Stored ticket in "ratty jacket" for security.
Declined press conference. Famous celebration: "I took my wife to Carl's Jr. and we got a buy one get one free of the Philly Cheese, and we shared a Coke then went back home."
Used literal LAST DOLLAR in pocket to buy ticket while waiting for slow clerk. Ticket sat in truck unchecked. Called sister to complain about "idiot" who hadn't claimed prize - then found ticket and realized "I was the idiot." Son confirmed: "Mom you're rich."
Wrong numbers, typos, and errors that paid off
Clerical error created the winning ticket. Anderson wanted 3 separate $1 tickets as Christmas gifts for family, but clerk put all numbers on one $3 ticket. Anderson accepted the error ("I had a couple extra dollars") and bought it for himself, then purchased 3 separate tickets for gifts. Tossed the "mistake" ticket on his dresser. Checked Sunday morning after the draw and told wife Tuesday: "We didn't hit it, that's not us. Something's not right!" - cognitive dissonance of sudden wealth.
Sunday morning, September 7, 2025: On the way to church, winner decided to check the ticket. Upon realizing the match, pulled over to verify numbers multiple times. Then placed the $410M bearer instrument in the glovebox and proceeded to attend church service - a moment of shock overriding security protocols.
Kathy asked for a Mega Millions ticket, but clerk Baljit Suddan accidentally printed a Powerball ticket instead. Rather than dispute it, Kathy accepted the "wrong" ticket - and it won $25 million.
Wanczyk was leaving work at Mercy Medical Center on August 23 evening with colleague Rob (a firefighter). While discussing the Powerball drawing, she checked her ticket: "Hey, I have that number. And I have that -- I have that!" Numbers were family birthdays plus lucky Keno number 4. The next morning, she called Mercy Medical Center: "I will not be coming back." 32 years of service terminated in one phone call. WATERTOWN MISTAKE: MA Lottery initially announced wrong store location in Boston suburb, sending media to wrong place - giving Wanczyk critical privacy window.
Kind gestures that led to winning tickets
Left the winning ticket on his kitchen table for a WEEK while vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland. Upon return, he saw news reports that the winner had not come forward. Checked numbers online, verified twice, then immediately secured it in a safety deposit box. Claimed 7 weeks later via "The Sea & Sand Trust" at Resorts World Casino - named for his vacation that nearly made him miss the deadline.
His regular store was CLOSED on Thursday Nov 14, forcing him to buy at Brighton Beach Bakery Deli instead. That minor deviation created the $130.3M win. Scanned ticket Sunday at regular store - machine said "Big winner. See retailer." Instead of asking clerk, he quietly left and went home, verified online an hour later.
Declined press conference. Famous celebration: "I took my wife to Carl's Jr. and we got a buy one get one free of the Philly Cheese, and we shared a Coke then went back home."
Gloria checked her tickets at home and discovered she held the sole winning ticket worth $590.5 million - the largest single-ticket jackpot in Powerball history at that time. She had a standing agreement with son Scott to split any winnings. They waited 18 days before claiming, using the time to assemble legal and financial teams. The "good deed" of letting an elderly woman cut in line became the most consequential random act of kindness in lottery history.
Tickets bought at/near work
Was sick but came to work on Dec 26 for holiday pay. Bought $5 Quick Pick. Coworker called about winning ticket; didn't check believing "that's not my luck". Checked two days later, jumped up and down. Stored ticket in "ratty jacket" for security.
Wrote numbers 1-69 on paper, slept with it under pillow for 2 weeks while praying. Quick Pick ticket won. Called friend Laiza: "You don't have to go to work anymore."
Jackie waited approximately 90 days between the draw (Nov 29, 2006) and her claim (Feb 2007). During this "interregnum," she quietly quit her job, assembled a team of financial advisors, and prepared a legal and financial fortress. When she finally appeared at the NCEL headquarters, she gave a brief press conference then "dashed off in a stretch SUV limousine" - maintaining strict boundaries on her public exposure.
Prize was claimed within months of the draw. The winners displayed financial decisiveness by claiming as a pair with an immediate "split" at point of claim - a smart legal strategy that creates two distinct tax entities, avoiding gift tax complications that would arise if one person claimed and gifted half.
Tickets connected to family members
17-year habit of crossing AL-FL border to play Florida lottery. Purchased Quick Pick at border gift shop during routine trip (~30-40 miles from home via Highway 21/97). Florida Lottery's 9th Powerball winner since 2009.
Bailey played same numbers for 25+ YEARS - given by a family member. Original: 8-12-13-19-27-40, changed 40 to 4 for Powerball. "It was raining that day so I went into the deli to get out of the rain and bought my ticket there." Checked numbers at 11:30 PM watching college football: "When I saw the eight and the 12 I was in shock—woah."
Declined press conference. Famous celebration: "I took my wife to Carl's Jr. and we got a buy one get one free of the Philly Cheese, and we shared a Coke then went back home."
Gloria checked her tickets at home and discovered she held the sole winning ticket worth $590.5 million - the largest single-ticket jackpot in Powerball history at that time. She had a standing agreement with son Scott to split any winnings. They waited 18 days before claiming, using the time to assemble legal and financial teams. The "good deed" of letting an elderly woman cut in line became the most consequential random act of kindness in lottery history.
8 winners lost close family members
Granddaughter Brandi Bragg died of overdose (2004). Girlfriend Jessie also died of overdose. Daughter Ginger died 2009.
Son who required 24-hour care died. Details limited. Wrongful death lawsuit mentioned.
Lost TWO sons after win: (1) Tony Capaci died March 9, 2012 in snowmobile accident at age 39 - "death of affluence" from leisure lifestyle money enabled. (2) Brian Capaci died April 18, 2023 suddenly at age 56. Shirley (mother) outlived husband Frank (d.2014) and ALL THREE sons - the nuclear family was "entirely extinguished." Money ensured comfort but could not save family.
Syndicate member Mary Heitzman (one of 16 winners) lost son Russell "Pickles" Heitzman in car accident August 2020 at age 33. Mary herself died December 7, 2023 at age 67.
Wife Rosemary died approximately 2 years after win.
Brain cancer diagnosis. Winner herself, not family member.
DUAL TRAGEDY: Both Mack and ex-wife Virginia (co-winner) died within 5 years. 100% mortality rate of winning couple. Divorced 2001 after win.
Wife Colleen Sandlin died March 5, 2008 in Wilmington, NC - just 11 months after win. Couple was married almost 50 years.
The Pattern: 6 of 8 tragedies occurred within 5 years of winning. Money couldn't buy more time.
10 winners walked around as millionaires for weeks/months
32 cases of rain/weather/cravings leading to jackpots
9 errors that led to fortune
52 dreams, churches, and lucky feelings
61 tickets found in wallets, gloveboxes, bibles
8 winners lost loved ones post-win
Explore individual winner profiles for full stories, or get ready-to-use quotes.
Source: CazPoint Powerball Winners Study, 180 documented winners (1992-2024). Stories sourced from lottery press releases, news archives, and public interviews.