Record Powerball lottery winner's life a mess after big win

"I wish all of this never would have happened," Jewel Whittaker said. "I wish I would have torn the ticket up."

"Jack"

Please come into my Tipi, we need to talk...

Chief

Quote: Originally posted by fja on December 14, 2004

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good luck Jack,,,you need it......

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My take on this (since I'm the newbe on the block):

I have more symphony for Mr. Whittaker's family than I do for Jack himself. His family was dragged into the spotlight when he won and because of it, they've had to suffer everything when Mr. Whittaker had made news over his careless behavior. 

Last year at about this time, the Whittaker's were featured in a newspaper story where they had told the reporter that they had regreated willing that $314 million jackpot. In addition to the constant hounding for money from strangers,  Mr. Whittaker's wife and granddaughter (the one that is now missing) had lost friends after they had learned that just because they were friends with the Whittakers, it did not mean that they would be "entitled" to any money from them.

I think that the Whittaker case (as well as others in the "Winner's Nightmare" trend from several week ago) is very important as it can show all of us how NOT to handle a major windfall.

Highball

I just can't believe that having $100 million or any amount of money makes you a drunk who crashes cars, goes to strip clubs and race tracks, and causes you to carry suitcases of cash that get stolen.  The money gives you 24 hours a day to do these things if you choose to, but money doesn't force you to do them or become a drunken wreck.

Was Jack implying that if his shenanigans didn't make the news, then he wouldn't be in the same sorry situation even though he would "do the same things"?  And yet his wife thinks their problems come from the money alone?

Jack, get a medical check up, then go to some island health spa for a couple of months under an alias, exercise, eat healthy, no drinking and get some spa treatments. You'll be a new person.

The only way to see if being the biggest jackpot winner sends people spinning in a downward spiral is to see what happens to the person who wins more than Jack. 

Quote: Originally posted by tg636 on December 15, 2004

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The only way to see if being the biggest jackpot winner sends people spinning in a downward spiral is to see what happens to the person who wins more than Jack. 

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... the lottery never fails to surprise!

Can you believe the way he looks ?

I remember seeing him at the press conferences/ Today show, etc... when he won just 2 short years ago......A smiling happy- go -lucky man in a 10 gallon cowboy hat.

Now look at him. Broken down, haggard, weary, but still has more money than common sense  !!!

Jack-- It is never too late to "get your mind right" . Do as tg636 suggests.

You have what millions of people dream about. Cherish it and start appreciating it instead of trying to kill yourself.

DD

should have bought that Island that Mel Gibson was looking at....15 million is all he paid for it.....talk about getting away from the crowds......

If Jack Whittaker reads LP, he can get some good advice

There should be a petition to claim jackpots annonymously. I know why the lottery says they make the names public. But since more and more lotteries are drawing their numbers annonymously (ie: via computer), why can't the players claim it that way without having to go through the trouble of making up a trust?