In August of this year, a Powerball jackpot of $1.04 billion was won by a single ticket holder, though the lucky winner did not come forward to claim the prize until nearly a month later. Choosing to remain anonymous, the winner stated that he was still processing the news and described experiencing a complex range of emotions, shifting from “disbelief and shock” to “overwhelming joy.”
According to People magazine, the Illinois Lottery confirmed on September 15 that the winner had claimed the $1.04 billion jackpot—the second-largest lottery prize in the state’s history.
In an interview with the Illinois Lottery, the winner revealed that he initially could not believe he had won. “At first, I didn’t believe I had won, so I called my family to confirm.” He noted that even after claiming the prize, “I am still processing the news and experiencing the full range of emotions that come with winning a billion-dollar jackpot—from disbelief and shock to overwhelming joy.”
Regarding how he won, the winner explained that he had simply purchased a single “Quick Pick” ticket for $2—selecting one set of Powerball numbers—never expecting to walk away with such a massive fortune. “I never imagined that spending two dollars could lead to such a huge prize,” he said.
The winner opted for a lump-sum cash payment rather than an annuity. Amanda Crosas, manager of the Illinois Lottery’s Chicago Prize Center, noted that while she has interacted with many lottery winners, “a billion-dollar jackpot is truly extraordinary.”
The winning ticket was sold on August 12 at a Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience store in Quincy, Illinois. The winning numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67, and 69, with a Powerball number of 9. The store that sold the winning ticket will also receive a $500,000 cash bonus.