Lottery Winners Stories
Insights from Past Winners
While winning the lottery may seem like a dream come true, the reality is often more complicated. From lavish spending sprees to financial ruin, many lottery winners have discovered that true happiness doesn’t always come with sudden wealth. In this blog, we'll explore the stories of lottery winners whose lives took unexpected turns after hitting the jackpot.
Filed For Bankruptcy
In 1990, Thomas Markle - father of Meghan Markle - won $750,000 in the California state lottery when Meghan was just nine years old.
He used Meghan's birth date as one of the numbers on the winning ticket. Instead of collecting the winnings himself, Thomas sent a friend to pick them up from Chicago. According to author Andrew Morton's book "Meghan: A Hollywood Princess," the lottery win helped pay for Meghan's private school fees, which set her on a path to acting success and ultimately led to her meeting Prince Harry, whom she married in May 2018.
The Trials and Tribulations
Thomas also used some of the money to help his son, Thomas Jnr, set up a flower shop and bought a car for his other daughter, Samantha. Thomas Jnr expressed pride in Meghan's achievements and credited the lottery win with providing her with opportunities for a good education and training. Unfortunately, Thomas Markle lost much of the money when he invested in a jewellery business that failed, leading to bankruptcy in 2016.
An End to a Marriage
Gareth and Catherine Bull, a couple from Nottinghamshire, won a massive £40.6 million EuroMillions jackpot in 2012. However, their marriage hit a rough patch when Catherine was seen without her wedding ring in 2017, sparking rumours of a divorce. It was later revealed that Gareth had started a nine month relationship with another woman named Donna Desporte while still married to Catherine.
Gareth met Donna on holiday in Tenerife, where she runs a bar. Catherine found out about the affair after spotting Gareth and Donna on TV during a boxing match. The couple divorced in October of that year. Donna, a mother of four from Bournemouth, wrote a book called "Google Me, No Lies" about her time with Gareth. She detailed their romance, including expensive trips and VIP events Gareth treated her to, like a night at the BAFTAs. Gareth wanted to keep their relationship a secret to avoid giving his wife ammunition in case of a split.
The Dangers of Plastic Surgery
Jane Park, from Edinburgh, became a millionaire at the age of 17 when she won £1 million with her first ever EuroMillions ticket in 2013. With her newfound wealth, she underwent cosmetic procedures including a boob job and a bum lift, and indulged in luxury holidays and fashion items.
Despite her initial excitement, Jane later expressed regret, stating that winning the lottery ruined her life. She even considered suing the lottery operator for negligence, believing she was too young to handle such a large sum. Family advice helped her avoid financial ruin after she went on a spending spree. However, a bum lift procedure in Turkey in 2018 left her hospitalised with three heart attacks.
Jane warned of the dangers of sudden wealth, acknowledging that it's easy to overspend when you have a lot of money. She eventually invested in property and saved some money in the bank at her family's urging. In 2019, Jane made headlines again for selling racy photos of herself on the subscription site OnlyFans.
Parties, Drugs and Assault
Callie Rogers, from Cumbria, became Britain's youngest lottery winner when she won £1.8 million in 2003 at the age of 16. At the time, she was earning £3.60 an hour as a checkout girl at the Co-op and living with her foster parents in Cockermouth. After winning the jackpot, she quickly met Nicky Lawson, the father of her two eldest children, and moved into a £180,000 bungalow. However, their relationship soured after five years, leading Callie to attempt suicide.
She faced hardships, including losing custody of her children and spending £17,000 on cosmetic surgery to boost her confidence. Callie also indulged in three breast enhancement surgeries, drug-fuelled parties, and spent £300,000 on designer clothes. She generously gave around half a million pounds to friends and family, but was later targeted by people who pretended to be her friends to take advantage of her money.
In 2018, Callie was brutally assaulted by two women during a night out, resulting in serious injuries. She also faced legal trouble, including a driving ban after crashing her car while under the influence of cocaine. Despite her struggles, Callie has spoken out about the challenges of winning the lottery at a young age and has called for more protections for young winners. She has reflected on how the sudden wealth changed her life, often for the worse, but expressed gratitude for her resilience and strength.
Blew £10 Million Fortune
Michael Carroll, a part time bin man from Norfolk, hit the jackpot in November 2002 at the age of 19, winning £9,736,131 on the National Lottery. Known as the Lotto Lout and the King of Chavs, Michael bought his winning ticket while wearing an electronic tag. Despite giving £4 million to friends and family, including those who raised him, Michael indulged in an extravagant lifestyle. He bought mansions, raced cars, and went on lavish holidays to the Costa del Sol. His marriage to Sandra Aitken ended due to his womanising and misbehaviour, including allegations of involvement with vice girls. Michael's wild antics led to numerous court appearances, an ASBO for terrorising neighbours, and jail time for drug-related offences.
By 2013, he declared bankruptcy and relied on Jobseeker's Allowance. After hitting rock bottom, he found work in a biscuit factory and later in an abattoir. In 2019, Michael moved to Scotland, where he worked as a coal miner and remarried Sandra. They now lead a quiet life in Belfast, having put their tumultuous past behind them. Despite his past, Michael has no regrets and enjoys his newfound happiness and stability.
Investments Gone Bad
John McGuinness, a hospital porter from Scotland, struck it rich in 1997 when he won £10 million. At the time, he was earning a modest £150 a week and living with his parents in a council house. John was generous with his winnings, giving over £3 million to family members and £750,000 to his ex-wife, Hazel. He traded his old Vauxhall Astra for a £140,000 Ferrari Modena Spyder and accumulated a collection of luxury cars, including a Bentley, Mercedes, Jaguars, and BMWs. John splurged on a £500,000 seafront apartment in Majorca, indulged in Caribbean cruises, ski trips, and global holidays, and purchased a lavish £1.3 million mansion in Bothwell with stunning views of the River Clyde, where he lived with his wife, Sandra, and their family.
Despite his wealth, John's passion for Livingston Football Club led to his downfall when he used his riches as collateral for the club's loans, resulting in him being responsible for all the debt. He invested £4 million into the club, which later went into administration. John spoke out in 2012 after a failed venture with former soccer boss Dominic Keane, who was cleared of bank fraud accusations. John expressed regret over trusting Keane with his money, believing that if he hadn't met him, he would still have millions in the bank and a comfortable life.
At GoGambling, we know the excitement that comes with winning the lottery, but we also know how important it is to have control of your winnings. Be sure to check out our blog for insights, advice and more stories of other lottery winners.
