Orlando Zavala Lozano

Powerball Winner • CA • 2022

Jackpot (2024$)

$355,000,000

lump sum

Age at Win

Unknown

Quick Facts

Win Date
January 5, 2022
State
CA
Winner Type
individual
Ticket Type
Quick Pick
Payment Choice
lump sum
After Tax
$142M

Analysis

Protective Factors

  • +134-day strategic claim delay - used 75% of allowed window
  • +Complete media blackout - no interviews, no photos, no quotes
  • +California tax advantage - saved $17.2M vs Wisconsin co-winners (0% state lottery tax)
  • +Presumed trust/estate structure established during delay
  • +Zero personal information disclosed beyond name
  • +Investment Policy Statement preparation time

How They Found Out

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.

Research Quality: medium Last Updated: 1/15/2024Years Tracked: 2