Mega Millions Jackpot Winners – Who Won the Biggest Jackpot in the History of the Lottery?

One of the biggest prizes ever in the history of the Powerball lottery was $314 million. The jackpot was won by Jack Whittaker, a construction worker from West Virginia. His winnings were used for charity. He donated funds to diner waitresses, churches and even a local strip club.

In 2004, Sharon Tirabassi won $10.5 million in the Lotto Super 7 lottery. She assumed that she was a multi-millionaire. However, she spent her money recklessly. She bought several vacations, a furnished house, and a restaurant. This resulted in her shutting down her business within a few years.

Another record holder is Keith Gough, who won $11 million in the British Lotto. His name was not revealed, but he drank himself to death.

Evelyn Basehore was another lottery winner who gambled away her winnings. She won $3.9 million in 1985. Unfortunately, she lost most of it by 2000.

Thomas Rossi was married to Denise Rossi for 25 years. They had a daughter. Before divorce, Rossi was awarded every penny of her winnings. Afterwards, she checked into a mental institution.

Similarly, Alex Toth became a millionaire, though not for long. After a failed marriage, Toth blew through his lottery prize of $13 million. It was also a case of tax fraud.

Jack Whittaker was known for his outsized cowboy hat. He won the Powerball lottery’s largest jackpot, but he was also well-known for giving away his winnings to strangers.

Mega Millions has the second-largest jackpot in the history of the lottery. That means that a jackpot win could make you a multi-millionaire, but the winner would still have to pay taxes.