84-year-old Gloria C. Mackenzie has just won $590 million Powerball jackpot becoming the largest sole winner in U.S. history! The grand prize had accumulated over two months and surpassed the previous record Powerball payout of $587.5 million set in November 2012.
Mackenzie bought the winning ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida, after a stranger let her step in front of him in line to buy a Quick Pick lottery ticket. She purchased four other tickets before buying her $2 winning ticket which she almost let escape.
“While in line at Publix, another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket,” Mackenzie revealed.
She kept a low profile for two weeks and has finally stepped forward to claim the record $590.5 million jackpot. The elderly woman chose to receive her millions in a one-time sum of more than $370 million before taxes.
Mackenzie’s name was made public during a press conference on Wednesday, she was not present but a representative from the Florida Lottery read a statement on her behalf.
“We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery Powerball jackpot and appreciate the interest of the public, state of Florida and the Lottery,” the statement read. “We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family’s benefit.”
Gloria C. Mackenzie agreed to split the prize with her son, Scott Mackenzie. She was spotted visiting the Florida lottery office in Tallahassee with her son, a trusted family friend, and legal and financial advisors.
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