07 May Lottery Winners Who Lost It All

Some say that money can’t buy happiness, and the stories of lottery winners who lost it all remind us of this truth. These lucky lottery winners, who once had “everything” ended up in a never-ending cycle of bad luck. Winning the Powerball or the Mega Millions lottery jackpot offers a sense of security and joy but it can also hide the challenges that come with sudden wealth. Sadly, these lottery winners who once held the winning ticket had a stroke of bad luck.

Read on to discover the most unfortunate instances of lottery winners losing it all.

1. Jack Whittaker

In 2002, something extraordinary happened to Jack Whittaker. He won an enormous $314 million Powerball jackpot. This was the biggest lottery prize in history at that time. A construction worker from West Virginia, Jack was famous for his outgoing nature. He, unfortunately, became one of the most famous examples of how the lottery can ruin lives.

Jack had a heart for generosity, and he took great joy in sharing his wealth. He donated large sums to churches, waitresses, family members, and even strangers. Unfortunately, Jack’s life took a series of heartbreaking turns.

His wife left him, and his house tragically burned down. He also faced legal troubles that added to his difficulties. On top of that, he experienced the devastating loss of his daughter to cancer and his granddaughter to drug addiction. In 2020, at the age of 72, he passed away. He left behind a story that serves as a poignant reminder that being among the biggest lottery winners doesn’t guarantee a happy ending.

2. Callie Rogers

Callie Rogers was a lucky British lottery winner who struck it rich at a young age. Callie was only 16 years old when she won the equivalent of $2.3 million in 2003. However, she was very young and had little to no experience managing her newfound wealth.

Fast forward to a decade later in 2013, and she had squandered most of her winnings. She spent most of her money on drugs, including $300,000 on cocaine. She also spent a huge chunk of it on plastic surgery, high-end clothing, gifts, and parties.

Her reckless behavior eventually led to a police chase, resulting in a driving ban. As of 2021, at the age of 33, Callie was living on government benefits and was penniless, according to the Daily Mail. Her story is a reminder that mismanaging lottery winnings can have severe consequences. It can lead to a lifetime of financial struggles for lottery winners.

3. Gerald Muswagon

In 2011, Gerald Muswagon from Canada purchased a $2 lottery ticket that completely changed his life. He became an instant millionaire, winning a lump sum $10 million jackpot. However, his fortune didn’t last long.

Gerald indulged in a lavish lifestyle. He bought a house that quickly turned into a party spot for people taking advantage of his wealth. He also spent money recklessly on cars, extravagant parties, and lavish gifts while getting involved in legal troubles.

Unfortunately, Gerald’s financial downfall was accompanied by personal struggles.  Tragically, seven years after his lottery win, he took his own life by hanging himself in his parent’s garage. Gerald’s story is a reminder of the grave outcomes when sudden wealth is mismanaged. It also highlights the significance of reaching out for help during challenging moments.

4. Marva Wilson

Marva Wilson’s story brings attention to the unfortunate truth that lottery winners can easily become targets for swindlers. In 2008, this great-grandmother won a prize amount of $2 million in the Missouri lottery. However, her joy was short-lived as she became the victim of a crafty scammer named Freya Pearson.

Pearson’s deceitful tactics gained her access to Wilson’s life and bank accounts. Pearson exploited Wilson’s trust and stole all of her lottery winnings. She was able to do so under the guise of helping Wilson with filing liens and taxes and establishing a nonprofit organization.

Justice was served as Pearson got five years in prison in the end. Nevertheless, Wilson’s story should warn lottery winners to be wary of people who want to exploit their newfound wealth.

5. Willie Hurt

In 1989, Willie Hurt became the fortunate top prize winner of a $3.1 million Michigan Super Lotto jackpot. Unfortunately, this win came at a time when the crack epidemic was at its peak. Hurt’s newfound wealth became the catalyst for a devastating addiction to rock cocaine.

By 1991, Hurt’s fortune had vanished, leaving him broke and in the midst of a painful divorce. Tragically, the situation worsened when Hurt faced charges for the murder of a woman during his prolonged struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. His story serves as a reminder of how the temptations brought about by instant wealth, coupled with the grip of addiction, can have devastating consequences that can completely ruin one’s life.

6. Urooj Khan

Urooj Khan’s story is a chilling one of how the lottery winner met his tragic end with poison. In 2012, the 46-year-old Chicago businessman won a life-changing $1 million payout. Unfortunately, he never got to enjoy his newfound fortune. He passed away unexpectedly just a few weeks after his win, before even receiving the money.

Initially, his death was attributed to natural causes. However, after his family expressed concerns, a follow-up test unveiled a horrifying revelation—Urooj Khan had been intentionally poisoned with cyanide. Sadly, as of 2023, the case remains unsolved. This leaves a haunting mystery surrounding his untimely death.

7. Evelyn Basehore

Evelyn Basehore’s story is one of astonishing odds and unfortunate outcomes. Against a staggering chance of one in 15 trillion, she managed to land the winning numbers not just once but twice in the Pick Six lottery. Within five months in 1985, she claimed $3.9 million and $1.4 million. Sadly, her luck turned bad soon after.

Basehore’s inability to control her spending habits led to a rapid decline in her fortune. She not only lost a lot of money gambling, but she also gave a lot away. By the start of the new millennium, all of her wealth had evaporated.

Lessons to Learn from Lottery Winners Who Lost It All

The stories of these Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot winners who lost everything are important lessons that money doesn’t always lead to happiness or security. Winning the lottery can completely change a person’s life, but it can also bring unexpected difficulties. These tales remind us to be careful when encountering newfound wealth and to be mindful of the possible dangers and traps that can come with it.