Lottery winner rebukes claims that she carelessly squandered money
By Kate Northrop
A lottery winner from the United Kingdom says she is tired of claims that she handled her win irresponsibly, saying that she's happy with how she spent her £1.8 million (US$2.25 million) in winnings and "had a great time."
Despite buying secondhand cars and flying economy, Lara Griffiths, 53, of West Yorkshire, says she doesn't regret going through a £1.8 million lottery prize she won with her then-husband back in 2005.
In 2005, ex-husband Roger Griffiths informed Lara that he had just won £1.8 million in the lottery, an experience she struggled to define.
"Everyone always asks you what it's like to win the lottery, but it's not a tangible feeling," she told SWNS. "Imagine being told you suddenly have 2 million in the bank."
18 years later, she is divorced from Roger and is "sick of being painted as tragic" after having spent every cent of her lottery prize.
"People kept saying I was stupid, pumped full of plastic surgery and needed my kids taken away," Lara said. "But the fact is, I spent it wisely — and I had a great time."
Lara and Roger's spending habits and purchases have led to name calling and labeling, with some accusing her of being a "silly woman" who haphazardly blew through the cash.
"It's become an overriding narrative that the lotto ruined my life," she added.
After the happily married couple won the prize, they took a ten-day trip to Dubai with economy class airfare.
They each quit their respective jobs – he was formerly an IT manager while she worked as a teacher that paid £40,000 (US$50,000) a year. In the months following the win, they invested in different ventures, including buying a salon for £150,000 (US$187,537).
She worked at the salon without paying herself a salary, but eventually she grew "bored" and "unstimulated" without access to her former passion for teaching.
The pair mortgaged a £450,000 (US$562,617) house instead of buying it outright. In a bid to jumpstart a music career, Roger sunk more than £25,000 (US$37,500) in an attempt to produce a record with his college band.
Eight years, 30 secondhand cars and 15 designer handbags later, the money was gone, and the couple split in 2013.
Now, Lara and her two daughters, Kitty, 16, and Ruby 19, live with Lara's mother, Norma, 86, in a four-bedroom house.
Lara she doesn't want her daughters to inherit a "legacy" that revolves around her spending the £1.8 million prize.
"I fully hold my hands up and accept my mistakes," she explained. "I've spent the last ten years making sure my children have a nice life regardless of that, but the lottery did not ruin my life."
On ITV's morning show "Daybreak" ten years ago, Lara had revealed that she was selling off all her designer handbags and was quoted saying, "the sale of those bags has supported my children."
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
(Click to display full-size in gallery)
nice. the finishing touch is a "no regerts" tattoo.
lol, Her all seeing eye missed the mark, she spent her money like a drunk sailor with the IQ of 54.
She did it her way.
The part I like is that she only bought used cars. But she bought 30 of them. 30 used cars.
She did try to budget with flying economy and buying used cars. The volume was the issue. Bet she got good deals on the handbags in Dubai.
One really needs to develop hobbies and interests long before winning the lottery and retiring. She was bored so she spent money.
Her problem was that 2.25 million wasn't enough. She won and got to go on one huge long vacation but couldn't stay on it.
I wonder if 22.5 million would have been enough for them. She is 53 so she has got around another 30 years so factor in inflation with her spending rate and how much would have she need to keep on that pace?
15 designer handbags ???....In 8 years ???....I have to admit I'm 100% in the dark on those items. Ladies, is that profitable on a resale market ?
Only if they are in good shape, no stains or scuffs and they are not knock offs.
Work is very important and I think so many people under estimate that importance of work in our lives.
Our days or nights get filled up with work, which occupies a reasonable chunk of our time.
So when you win the lottery and quit every form of work, you suddenly have all this chuck of time with "mostly nothing to do"
You can't be on vacation 24/7/365, it's tiring.
Am pretty sure if she kept her job and maybe scaled down on hours or something she would have been good.
These are my thoughts.
Celebrities sell their handbags all the time. There are online sites that authenticate them for resale.
I'd buy a knockoff from China before buying a used handbag. Dhgate is supposed to be good. I want some knockoff Gucci tennis shoes. I love Gucci. Not a Louis fan.
I agree 110%.
The first mistake they made was going public about their win. UK National Lottery winners have the right to remain anonymous, the vast majority do so.
What to do when you win the lottery? (according to the experts)
A Euromillions win changes lives, but advice is essential if you don't want to lose it all
Twice a month for the last eight years, Robin Melley has been tasked with helping some of the luckiest people in the country.
A financial adviser from Bridgnorth, his firm Matrix Capital has been the place where those who win a £1m Premium Bond jackpot are sent to navigate their new-found wealth.
After being given the news by Agent Million, winners are directed to Matrix to help them work out the best thing to do with their prize, which is paid tax free.
“We stop them falling into the usual traps,” says Melley, 62, who has been an adviser for 32 years and helped more than 200 people manage their winnings, “sometimes it’s a frustrating job if people do not take your advice, but other times it’s very gratifying.”
According to Camelot, the National Lottery’s organiser, one in 20 of the winners it surveys every year now has less money than they won, while one in five say, the money has not made them happier.