unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Lottery winner’s huge jackpot tragically tore his family apart
Home>News>Money
Updated 11:08 14 Jan 2024 GMTPublished 11:09 14 Jan 2024 GMT

Lottery winner’s huge jackpot tragically tore his family apart

Things turned sour between the family

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Getty Stock Image

Topics: News, Life, Money, Australia, Lottery

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

It's not unheard of for money related issued to come between families, and this lottery winner experienced just that.

In March 2018, William John Bampton from Queensland, Australia, won an impressive $986,000 (AUD) jackpot.

He went on to gift his daughter $300,000 of his lottery winnings, but their relationship went on to be affected after Bampton, now 92, asked for the money back.

Advert

As per a Brisbane District Court ruling this month, Bampton put down a deposit on a four-bedroom home shortly after winning the lottery.

He paid an initial a $50,000 deposit on the property, before going on to pay the remaining $505,03 to purchase it fully in a co-ownership with his son, Larry Bampton.

In the months that followed, Bampton also gave his daughter, Suzanne Elaine Vourlides, a large $300,000 donation.

But Bampton went on to allege that he was coerced into giving the money to his daughter, with him feeling like he had 'no choice' but to give it to Vourlides after the pair ended up in an argument.

Willam Bampton alleged that he was pressured into giving his daughter money.
Facebook

But Vourlides insisted that her father willingly donated the money to her.

This caused a huge rift in the family, with Bampton going on to become estranged from his children.

A huge legal dispute between Bampton and his children then followed, with a judge going on to rule in favor of Vourlides.

It was noted that, despite his age, Bampton had not been diagnosed with dementia at the time of the hearing.

"Although Mr. Bampton was of advanced age and had medical conditions, the medical evidence was to the effect that he had full capacity and well understood and was able to manage his financial affairs," Judge Suzanne Sheridan ruled last month.

Bampton won a huge $986,000 AUD jackpot in 2018.
Getty Stock Image/CHUYN

"I am unable to accept that Mrs. Vourlides took unconscientious advantage of Mr. Bampton. I am prepared to accept that the gift was fair, just, and reasonable in the circumstances."

Vourlides went on to say that the lottery win 'destroyed people’s lives'.

"No one’s a winner out of this, it just destroys everyone in the family," Larry Bampton added to the Courier Mail.

"The worst thing that ever happened was that he won the million dollars. One of the tragic lotto stories, I think."

Despite the judge's 59-page ruling, Bampton expressed his intentions of appealing the court's decision, alleging that he has no winnings left.

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Expert explains how Eli Lily's Foundayo works and the results Ozempic rival can give you

    No needles, no fasting, and no more 'Ozempic face'—an expert breaks down why this new daily pill is the game-changer we’ve been waiting for.

    News
  • Getty Stock Images
    9 hours ago

    Meaning behind Gen Z craze 'house hacking' - and the dangers for first-time buyers following it

    This housing trend comes after studies reveal the impact of the US's property affordability crisis

    News
  • Lam Yik/Bloomberg via Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    Spirit Airlines flight attendant has grim warning for everyone using plane tray tables

    It wasn't the only stomach churning warning she shared

    News
  • Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    JD Vance hit with awkward question after Donald Trump's 'little boy' comment

    Vance likened himself to Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone when Trump isn't at the White House

    News
  • Man who’s won the lottery 18 times shares what makes him really lucky
  • Why five US states don't sell lottery tickets as Powerball reaches $1,000,000,000 jackpot
  • What happens if no one claims lottery winnings as Powerball nears $1,000,000,000 jackpot
  • Couple win $13,000,000 lottery after finding winning ticket on top of their fridge a week later