Man hung up phone on officials after being told his wife had won $60 million jackpot
Topics: Australia, World News, News, Money
Bec Oakes
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock/Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Topics: Australia, World News, News, Money
Most of us would s*** ourselves with excitement if we won the lottery, but one Aussie man hung up on officials after being told his wife had bagged a $60 million (38 million USD) jackpot.
A woman from Victoria, Australia was the big winner in Thursday night's Powerball draw, bagging herself the second-biggest lottery prize of 2023.
But, when lottery officials called up to deliver the good news, there was a bit of confusion.
Officials said they struggled to get a hold of the anonymous winner because she wouldn’t answer her phone.
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It wasn’t until she checked her ticket online that she discovered she'd won the life-changing money.
“I’m in a bit of shock at the moment. Oh my god! I can’t believe this is happening,” she told lottery officials once they finally got through to her.
And, in the excited frenzy, the woman also admitted her husband had accidentally hung up on the officials.
“My husband is walking around dumbfounded,” she said.
The winning numbers were 11, 19, 4, 22, 3, 8, 14, while the Powerball number was 5.
The winner, a recent retiree, said she chose the specific numbers to commemorate the birthdays of close family and friends.
Speaking about her big win, the Aussie said she likely won't keep all the cash to herself.
“I think a lot of charities might benefit, especially those that help disadvantaged children,” she said.
“This prize will help a lot of people out. It’s my main goal.”
According to lottery spokesperson, Anna Hobdell, the lucky winner will have her money in as little as two weeks.
“There would be no better way to end the final months of 2023 (than) with a win in the bank. It would undoubtedly set the family up for a magical Christmas season,” Hobdell said.
Earlier this week, seven-time lottery winner, Richard Lustig, shared the key 'tips' that helped him win so many times.
The Florida man scooped big prizes in seven state-sponsored lottery games from 1993 to 2010, his wins totalling more than one million dollars.
He said: “The three things you can do to increase your chances of winning a lottery game is to pick your own numbers and stick with them every time; set a budget; and never spend rent or grocery money to play a lottery game."
But, while gambling responsibly is certainly solid advice, we're not too sure how it increases your chances of winning.
Regardless, that's one very lucky man!