Homeless man wins Hungary's biggest-ever lottery

Feb 17, 2014, 12:27 pm (25 comments)

International

Uses winnings on foundation for addicts and abused

Unemployed, in debt and facing another year living on the streets in Hungary, László Andraschek spent his last remaining coins on a lottery ticket. Now the formerly homeless man has a choice of accommodation around the world after becoming one of Hungary's biggest lottery winners, with a prize of about $2.8 million.

Andraschek, whose 630m Hungarian forint win last September went unnoticed until he made a significant donation to a hostel for the homeless this month, said buying the ticket was a chance decision at a railway station on his way to Budapest for a workshop for recovering alcoholics.

"I had only picked six numbers and the female shop assistant reminded me that I needed to pick a seventh," he said. "I told her to make it 24 — it doesn't matter, anyway."

But he was wrong and now plans to use his winnings to establish a foundation for addicts and women abused by their husbands.

The 55-year-old resident of Gyor, north-west Hungary, said his first act was to repay his debts, before cycling to a car dealer. "When the car salesman asked me how much I would be willing to spend, I held up three fingers. As I had arrived on a bike he assumed this meant 300,000 forints, but actually I meant 3m."

As neither he nor his wife can drive, the car will be driven only by his children.

Andraschek has since bought flats for each of his three children, paid off the debts of his relatives and is planning to travel to Italy, having not previously held a passport.

He and his wife, Anikó, said they will invest their money cautiously and avoid the ruinous spending splurges of many a lottery winner. "I have become rich but I have not become a different person. I could buy a large-screen TV because I can afford it, but I won't buy three because I can afford it."

Having struggled with alcoholism, Andraschek finally quit five years ago and says he "now has no need to return".

The news of Andraschek's dramatic upturn in fortunes came as human rights activists organised a wave of protests worldwide against a new Hungarian law that bans sleeping rough, in a country that has 30,000 homeless people. Last week alone, demonstrations were held in front of Hungarian embassies and consulates in London, Paris, New York, Vienna, Lisbon, Dublin, Brussels, Essen and Istanbul. Next weekend a Hungarian NGO run by homeless people, A Város Mindenkié (The City is for All), will stage another protest in Budapest against the law, which threatens those living on the streets with a fine or imprisonment.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Guardian, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

dr65's avatardr65

The best kind of winner! One down and out.

I'm happy for him and may he have fun spending it on whatever he sees fit. You only live once.

And for the comments that will come along the lines of: he will be broke in a couple years/months, he will start

drinking again, or he will give it all away taking care of family and friends....remember, it is his and he won it.

His situation before winning could happen to any of us and whatever his life becomes after winning can happen

to any of us too...good or bad.

WTG Andraschek!

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Nice catch! I'm hoping he'll stretch this money as far out as possible. No more homelessness. I have to wonder though where his wife and kids were before he won this money. Had they abandoned him? I hope not.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Congratulations Mr on your BIG WIN Spend WiselyParty

BDUB211

That's awesome, congratulations

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Feb 17, 2014

Nice catch! I'm hoping he'll stretch this money as far out as possible. No more homelessness. I have to wonder though where his wife and kids were before he won this money. Had they abandoned him? I hope not.

My thoughts exactly.  Plus l wonder what the cost of living is in Hngary? Nevertheless- more power to thus guy.
All good things come to those who wait,  its been said.  Glad his ship finally came in. That's a Gloria moment.

Teddi's avatarTeddi

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Feb 17, 2014

Nice catch! I'm hoping he'll stretch this money as far out as possible. No more homelessness. I have to wonder though where his wife and kids were before he won this money. Had they abandoned him? I hope not.

That's the $2.8 million dollar question. I could understand if he were still drinking, but if he stopped 5 years ago, why did the family and friends he's now taking care of, have him living on the streets, risking imprisonment??? 

Other than that headscratcher, good for him. Sounds like the dollar really stretches over there and he seems like a decent, generous guy, so I hope he'll be comfortable for the rest of his life.

Igamble's avatarIgamble

yea really nice story this one.Happy for this guy that he has the power now to change many things in the  lives of many ppl.

Jordi88

Dreams and  wishes do come true if believe. Big congrats to him !!!

surimaribo24's avatarsurimaribo24

simply amazing . 

faber98

not buying the homelessness claim prior to his win. wife probably just threw him out daily until he found work.

JonnyBgood07's avatarJonnyBgood07

now these are the stories I like to hear....Best of luck to him and his family.That's too awesome

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Congratulation Mr Andraschek, glad he's giving back. I too wonder where his family was when he was on the streets anywho WTG Thumbs Up

Greg2117's avatarGreg2117

I guess he won't go hungary anymore....ba dum chhh!

sully16's avatarsully16

Great story, He's got a second chance at a fulfilling life.

Congrats to the lucky man.

tony869

Yeah and he picked his own numbers and won...

green sandals's avatargreen sandals

Great story. Happy for him and his family.

Hope he's smart with his new found fortune.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Greg2117 on Feb 17, 2014

I guess he won't go hungary anymore....ba dum chhh!

OMG! Green laugh

luckyshoes's avatarluckyshoes

Yes !   dreams can come true on your pocket change ! Great story

Candlelight777's avatarCandlelight777

Wow love these kinds of stories where the lottery seriously changed someone's life for the better and truly made a meaningful impact Big Grin Angel

Get paid's avatarGet paid

Congrats lazzio,but remember keep your program in front of you.Money can be a trigger.Agin congratulations on ur win.Powerball here I come.

Saylorgirl's avatarSaylorgirl

Congratulations!!  What a terrific story!

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Quote: Originally posted by Igamble on Feb 17, 2014

yea really nice story this one.Happy for this guy that he has the power now to change many things in the  lives of many ppl.

I'm happy for László Andraschek too, Igamble!  I get excited when I hear of financially strapped folks netting multiple millions of dollars via a lottery. 

Congratulations, László Andraschek, on your $2.8M Net lottery jackpot win!  Since you chose all seven numbers yourself, wish it would have been more for you and your family though.

Regardless, it's great that you super helped your immediate AND extended family members and the shelter.  However, now that you only have less than $1.8M left over, and you are only 55 years old, it is necessary to: take a medium priced vacation; get yourself and your wife a drivers license, car, and car insurance; cease giving away money to anyone (due to most country's overpopulation and consequentially no forecasted full-time work gainful pay for you and 30,000+ other adults); and invest 90% of these remaining monies in SAFE investments, only living off of the interest received each year. 

Kudos, László, it's very good to be you and your immediate family nowadays! Group Hug

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Candlelight777 on Feb 18, 2014

Wow love these kinds of stories where the lottery seriously changed someone's life for the better and truly made a meaningful impact Big Grin Angel

I Agree!

lottoguysocal's avatarlottoguysocal

when luck is at your door, don't keep her waiting...Congrats to this winner...sometimes when you're down and out that streak of luck shows up just in time...again congratulations to him..may good fortunte and karma continue to shine on him

One-Day

I'm sure those who looked down on him now want to give him a hug, invite him for a beer at the local pub and be his friend.

End of comments
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