Powerball Winner • CA • 2025
Jackpot (2024$)
$204,500,000
lump sum
Age at Win
Unknown
Linda Ramirez and Michael Rubio won $204.5M Powerball in May 2025, California's second jackpot winner that year. The joint claim with immediate split demonstrated financial savvy, creating two tax entities and avoiding gift tax complications. California's exemption from state lottery tax saved them an estimated $8-9M compared to states like NY or Oregon. The winners' common names provide natural privacy protection through 'data smog.' Too recent to assess long-term outcomes.
Won $204.5M jackpot with numbers 1-29-37-56-68 PB:13. Fourth Powerball jackpot of 2025, second California winner of the year.
7-Eleven store received $1M bonus (0.5% capped) for selling winning ticket.
Winners claimed prize as joint owners, elected cash option of $91.6M, split between both claimants.
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.