Lottery winner who scored $648million jackpot only took home $173.8million after making crucial decision
A MEGA Millions jackpot winner took home less than half of her winnings after a crucial decision was made.
Lottery officials announced that the massive $648 million jackpot had to be split between two winners.
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The first winner was Ira Cury, a 56-year-old Georgia woman who played numbers from family birth dates, Reuters reported.
Curry could have opted for a larger annuity, paid in installments over the next 30 years, but opted for the $173.8 million lump sum cash payment.
“It’s unreal,” Curry said in a press release as she celebrated her lucky win. “It’s like I’m still dreaming.”
The owner of the Gateway Newsstand in the Atlanta suburb where the ticket was purchased was thrilled to learn that the ticket was purchased at her store.
“I’m so happy,” exclaimed Young Soo Lee.
She said she bought the kiosk nine years ago after immigrating to Korea in 1980.
“Everyone is a hug, a hug, a hug,” the business owner noted, noting that her other customers were just as excited about the news.
The second winner has not yet been determined. However, her ticket was purchased at a retail store in San Jose, California.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, the store’s owner was Thuy Nguyen.
Nguyen is also set to take home plenty of cash as the California Lottery is awarding a $1 million bonus to the ticket seller.
According to Virginia Lottery Director Paula Otto, most Mega Millions tickets are purchased on the day of the draw.
The winning numbers for the big draw were: 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 and 7.