A mystery woman claimed today she has won £1.5 million (US$2.65 million) from the UK National Lottery — but has never told her husband.
The woman, a mother-of-two who gave her name as Jane, called a radio show to reveal her astonishing secret.
For the past three years she has hidden her fortune from colleagues, friends and family, she claimed.
Her husband had a drug problem 15 years ago and she fears living the high life would tempt him back to his old ways.
She also worries he would give up work and start demanding luxury holidays.
"Jane" has remained in her job and, if she ever splashes out on treats for the family, tells her husband she has had a pay rise or bonus.
The woman revealed her extraordinary story on BBC Radio Five Live this morning.
Presenter Victoria Derbyshire was hosting a phone-in which asked the question: "Is money guaranteed to make you happy?"
"Jane" called in and began, "I won quite a bit of money, just under £1.5 million, and I've never, ever told anybody. Not even my husband."
An incredulous Derbyshire said, "You're kidding me. Why not?"
"Jane" replied, "Fear that it would change our lives too dramatically. My husband had, many years ago, a small drug problem — around 15 years ago. And I'm scared with the money and perhaps the high life... he would go back there.
"So I just said that I've had a pay rise and I get bonuses, so every now and again I can have nice things."
She continued, "I do feel if I had said, yes, I've won this money, that he would have wanted holidays, he perhaps would have wanted to give up work, which would destroy our little family unit we've got now."
Derbyshire asked, "No-one has suspected?" to which "Jane" said, "No."
The presenter told her, "I'm flabbergasted, I can barely believe it, but it's clearly true. Do you feel it's made you happier?"
"Jane", who said her win was "about three years ago", said, "It's nice because I know I haven't got to worry about bills.
"One of the little white lies is that I've cut my hours down at work but I tell him I work from home for the other two days.
"There's no fear of not being able to pay the mortgage and things like that."
Derbyshire told her, "I'm full of admiration for you, but is it not a betrayal of your relationship? You call them little white lies but it's a huge one, isn't it?"
The woman admitted, "It's absolutely huge and I feel terribly guilty in one way, but in another way, we've got two young children and I think, well, if their lives change dramatically then it's not fair on them. So I just want to keep things as they are."
Lottery operator Camelot said they could not confirm whether or not the caller was genuine.
Since the lottery is the state selling paper for $1 while giving back 50 cents of their revenue in prizes, I would say that each buyer of lottery tickets has already paid a 50 cent tax to the state by buying a ticket. State income tax on lottery winnings is unconscionable. Talk about the states double dipping.
Ahhhh love and marrage, based on compromise- NOT. One person thinking they know whats better then another person about what is best for the other person. Where have I seen that before? The person did something the other didn't like, so know they try to control the environment of that person. Why? Because they can - they are superior!
She was very smart to hide it from him, but very stupid to call a radio station and talk about. It the tabloid journalists track her down, she will have only herself to blame. Whatever about money buying happiness, it seems you can't buy wisdom.
What a sneaky lyin controlling broad! She won't tell the husband because he might wanna take off work, then she cuts back on her hours. Hope he find out , takes his fair share , then goes on a long wild vacation without her!
What a sneaky lyin controlling broad! She won't tell the husband because he might wanna take off work, then she cuts back on her hours. Hope he find out , takes his fair share , then goes on a long wild vacation without her!
Emily, If he was able to kick his "Small Drug Habit 15 years ago" why would money change things now? People quit certain habits and never look back. They do things when they're young and dumb, because they're young and dumb! If he was good enough to keep in the family for the last 15 years and be part of her "happy little family unit", then he's good enough to share the winnings with!
Yes she is a very smart woman. She is still a MILLIONARE! Her response to the question ("Is money guaranteed to make you happy?") could have been..."No my husband depleted our Lottery winings on drugs, and now we are broke." Again, a smart woman!!
Konformthismsf, please don't hate, congratulate! We can't judge her relationship/marriage: she knows her husband better than we do! You mentioned lying -- she never admitted to him that she won the money. Therefore, she didn't lie.
Finally, the possibility of the husband taking off work is only a morsel in the smorgasbord of goodies. What if he actually went back to his old drug ways? Hey, with all that money, he could go buck wild, devastating the little, cozy nest she has prepared. Why risk it all!
This is a great story, but I do feel bad for the husband. He's missing out on a lot! If he finds out (which is now likely), he will probably file for divorce ASAP.
Dphillips, she has lied many times over too him! I work at home now honey, i got a rise, i got a bonus.... Face the facts shes a lyin cheating sneaky woman. She called the show to release some of her guilt. If the situation was reversed i wonder what the response would be from all the women here?
Dphillips, she has lied many times over too him! I work at home now honey, i got a rise, i got a bonus.... Face the facts shes a lyin cheating sneaky woman. She called the show to release some of her guilt. If the situation was reversed i wonder what the response would be from all the women here?
The man was a drug addict for heavens sake. I've seen a drug addict sale the refrigerator out of the home with 4 kids and fight the person who was feeding the kids because they wanted the money for drugs. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to save people from themselves and keep them from hurting others.
You can't reason with someone on drugs. It's obvious that she cares for him otherwise she would have divorced him.
There's no difference if the situation would have been reversed. He would have been protecting the family like a man should.
We will see won't we? Storyline reads: Man whose wife hide lottery winning is on drugs again.LOL
She apparently thought he was reformed enough to father the 2 young children...
with the exception of the drug thing... she is lying because she fears he would want to do what 99% of lottery winners would?
that's insane... what if he hates his job but keeps it for her and the kids... I would wager she was lying about the whole affair... if (when? LOL) I would win millions, I would want to let my wife know we could spend much more time together (stress-free time, to boot!) and with the kids. I couuld see shielding the children to some extent for their own benefit (develop a positive work ethic... that starts earlier than most people think... learning the value of a dollar (pound?)... safety)
tenaj- her own words! "Jane" replied, "Fear that it would change our lives too dramatically. My husband had, many years ago, a small drug problem — around 15 years ago.
Small drug problem 15 years ago doesn't makes someone a drug addict! If it did most of us would be tagged as "Drug Addicts". Our country has been ran for the last 14 years by 2 admitted "years ago drug users" Are they "Drug Addicts"? . Sounds more to me like she has to dirty him up to make herself appear and feel better. If he was good enough to stay with for 15 years after the fact and help with the mortgage and kids then he should be good enough to be included on all life changing decisions.... The sneaky lyin wench probably even made him go buy the ticket with his money and lied to him about winning! LOL
tenaj- her own words! "Jane" replied, "Fear that it would change our lives too dramatically. My husband had, many years ago, a small drug problem — around 15 years ago.
Small drug problem 15 years ago doesn't makes someone a drug addict! If it did most of us would be tagged as "Drug Addicts". Our country has been ran for the last 14 years by 2 admitted "years ago drug users" Are they "Drug Addicts"? . Sounds more to me like she has to dirty him up to make herself appear and feel better. If he was good enough to stay with for 15 years after the fact and help with the mortgage and kids then he should be good enough to be included on all life changing decisions.... The sneaky lyin wench probably even made him go buy the ticket with his money and lied to him about winning! LOL
She apparently thought he was reformed enough to father the 2 young children...
with the exception of the drug thing... she is lying because she fears he would want to do what 99% of lottery winners would?
that's insane... what if he hates his job but keeps it for her and the kids... I would wager she was lying about the whole affair... if (when? LOL) I would win millions, I would want to let my wife know we could spend much more time together (stress-free time, to boot!) and with the kids. I couuld see shielding the children to some extent for their own benefit (develop a positive work ethic... that starts earlier than most people think... learning the value of a dollar (pound?)... safety)
Either it's a fabrication or she hates him...
Its not hate.. Trust me If I won a Million Bucks there is no way that my hubby would touch it... Been Married for 24 years but I know him well .. We would be broke in a week........its not hate it called Watching ya back...
Dphillips, she has lied many times over too him! I work at home now honey, i got a rise, i got a bonus.... Face the facts shes a lyin cheating sneaky woman. She called the show to release some of her guilt. If the situation was reversed i wonder what the response would be from all the women here?
Think about this... She could have left his A** with nothing !!!!!found a boyfriend. Moved to Japan and lived happy for ever and ever. But no she stayed with this man and wanted her family and life to stay the same. .. Look at the other lives that have been up rooted because of the winning in the past... Hello Smart Women Man does not think with head....
tenaj- her own words! "Jane" replied, "Fear that it would change our lives too dramatically. My husband had, many years ago, a small drug problem — around 15 years ago.
Small drug problem 15 years ago doesn't makes someone a drug addict! If it did most of us would be tagged as "Drug Addicts". Our country has been ran for the last 14 years by 2 admitted "years ago drug users" Are they "Drug Addicts"? . Sounds more to me like she has to dirty him up to make herself appear and feel better. If he was good enough to stay with for 15 years after the fact and help with the mortgage and kids then he should be good enough to be included on all life changing decisions.... The sneaky lyin wench probably even made him go buy the ticket with his money and lied to him about winning! LOL
OK, I see your point. A small drug problem 15 years ago
Now thats what I call remaining anonymous!!!!
It's possible in the UK because they have no taxes on lottery prizes, so you really can just stick it in the bank without anyone knowing.
Since the lottery is the state selling paper for $1 while giving back 50 cents of their revenue in prizes, I would say that each buyer of lottery tickets has already paid a 50 cent tax to the state by buying a ticket. State income tax on lottery winnings is unconscionable. Talk about the states double dipping.
man ...money makes people do some funny things
Maybe her Rolls Royce parked in front of the house created a guilty conscious.
Ahhhh love and marrage, based on compromise- NOT. One person thinking they know whats better then another person about what is best for the other person. Where have I seen that before? The person did something the other didn't like, so know they try to control the environment of that person. Why? Because they can - they are superior!
smart woman!!!
She was very smart to hide it from him, but very stupid to call a radio station and talk about. It the tabloid journalists track her down, she will have only herself to blame. Whatever about money buying happiness, it seems you can't buy wisdom.
What a sneaky lyin controlling broad! She won't tell the husband because he might wanna take off work, then she cuts back on her hours. Hope he find out , takes his fair share , then goes on a long wild vacation without her!
I agree she is a smart woman!
What a sneaky lyin controlling broad! She won't tell the husband because he might wanna take off work, then she cuts back on her hours. Hope he find out , takes his fair share , then goes on a long wild vacation without her!
yes and starts back on drugs.
Emily, If he was able to kick his "Small Drug Habit 15 years ago" why would money change things now? People quit certain habits and never look back. They do things when they're young and dumb, because they're young and dumb! If he was good enough to keep in the family for the last 15 years and be part of her "happy little family unit", then he's good enough to share the winnings with!
Yes she is a very smart woman. She is still a MILLIONARE! Her response to the question ("Is money guaranteed to make you happy?") could have been..."No my husband depleted our Lottery winings on drugs, and now we are broke." Again, a smart woman!!
Konformthismsf, please don't hate, congratulate! We can't judge her relationship/marriage: she knows her husband better than we do! You mentioned lying -- she never admitted to him that she won the money. Therefore, she didn't lie.
Finally, the possibility of the husband taking off work is only a morsel in the smorgasbord of goodies. What if he actually went back to his old drug ways? Hey, with all that money, he could go buck wild, devastating the little, cozy nest she has prepared. Why risk it all!
This is a great story, but I do feel bad for the husband. He's missing out on a lot! If he finds out (which is now likely), he will probably file for divorce ASAP.
Dphillips, she has lied many times over too him! I work at home now honey, i got a rise, i got a bonus.... Face the facts shes a lyin cheating sneaky woman. She called the show to release some of her guilt. If the situation was reversed i wonder what the response would be from all the women here?
Dphillips, she has lied many times over too him! I work at home now honey, i got a rise, i got a bonus.... Face the facts shes a lyin cheating sneaky woman. She called the show to release some of her guilt. If the situation was reversed i wonder what the response would be from all the women here?
You can't reason with someone on drugs. It's obvious that she cares for him otherwise she would have divorced him.
There's no difference if the situation would have been reversed. He would have been protecting the family like a man should.
We will see won't we? Storyline reads: Man whose wife hide lottery winning is on drugs again.LOL
In general, I applaud her for living modestly. That is wise.
However she has a serious problem with trust in her marriage.
I would not trade my wife for all this woman's money.
ummmm, isn't it marital money and isn't he entitled just like here in the U.S. Sounds like theft to me.
She apparently thought he was reformed enough to father the 2 young children...
with the exception of the drug thing... she is lying because she fears he would want to do what 99% of lottery winners would?
that's insane... what if he hates his job but keeps it for her and the kids... I would wager she was lying about the whole affair... if (when? LOL) I would win millions, I would want to let my wife know we could spend much more time together (stress-free time, to boot!) and with the kids. I couuld see shielding the children to some extent for their own benefit (develop a positive work ethic... that starts earlier than most people think... learning the value of a dollar (pound?)... safety)
Either it's a fabrication or she hates him...
tenaj- her own words! "Jane" replied, "Fear that it would change our lives too dramatically. My husband had, many years ago, a small drug problem — around 15 years ago.
Small drug problem 15 years ago doesn't makes someone a drug addict! If it did most of us would be tagged as "Drug Addicts". Our country has been ran for the last 14 years by 2 admitted "years ago drug users" Are they "Drug Addicts"? . Sounds more to me like she has to dirty him up to make herself appear and feel better. If he was good enough to stay with for 15 years after the fact and help with the mortgage and kids then he should be good enough to be included on all life changing decisions.... The sneaky lyin wench probably even made him go buy the ticket with his money and lied to him about winning! LOL
tenaj- her own words! "Jane" replied, "Fear that it would change our lives too dramatically. My husband had, many years ago, a small drug problem — around 15 years ago.
Small drug problem 15 years ago doesn't makes someone a drug addict! If it did most of us would be tagged as "Drug Addicts". Our country has been ran for the last 14 years by 2 admitted "years ago drug users" Are they "Drug Addicts"? . Sounds more to me like she has to dirty him up to make herself appear and feel better. If he was good enough to stay with for 15 years after the fact and help with the mortgage and kids then he should be good enough to be included on all life changing decisions.... The sneaky lyin wench probably even made him go buy the ticket with his money and lied to him about winning! LOL
are you and chewie brothers???
My brother's nickname is Chewbaca! But only cause he looks like the starwars guy...
My brother's nickname is Chewbaca! But only cause he looks like the starwars guy...
She apparently thought he was reformed enough to father the 2 young children...
with the exception of the drug thing... she is lying because she fears he would want to do what 99% of lottery winners would?
that's insane... what if he hates his job but keeps it for her and the kids... I would wager she was lying about the whole affair... if (when? LOL) I would win millions, I would want to let my wife know we could spend much more time together (stress-free time, to boot!) and with the kids. I couuld see shielding the children to some extent for their own benefit (develop a positive work ethic... that starts earlier than most people think... learning the value of a dollar (pound?)... safety)
Either it's a fabrication or she hates him...
Its not hate.. Trust me If I won a Million Bucks there is no way that my hubby would touch it... Been Married for 24 years but I know him well .. We would be broke in a week........its not hate it called Watching ya back...
smart woman!!!
Amen
Dphillips, she has lied many times over too him! I work at home now honey, i got a rise, i got a bonus.... Face the facts shes a lyin cheating sneaky woman. She called the show to release some of her guilt. If the situation was reversed i wonder what the response would be from all the women here?
Think about this... She could have left his A** with nothing !!!!!found a boyfriend. Moved to Japan and lived happy for ever and ever. But no she stayed with this man and wanted her family and life to stay the same. .. Look at the other lives that have been up rooted because of the winning in the past... Hello Smart Women Man does not think with head....
tenaj- her own words! "Jane" replied, "Fear that it would change our lives too dramatically. My husband had, many years ago, a small drug problem — around 15 years ago.
Small drug problem 15 years ago doesn't makes someone a drug addict! If it did most of us would be tagged as "Drug Addicts". Our country has been ran for the last 14 years by 2 admitted "years ago drug users" Are they "Drug Addicts"? . Sounds more to me like she has to dirty him up to make herself appear and feel better. If he was good enough to stay with for 15 years after the fact and help with the mortgage and kids then he should be good enough to be included on all life changing decisions.... The sneaky lyin wench probably even made him go buy the ticket with his money and lied to him about winning! LOL
If I won a million bucks the mrs. and I would plan it out together.
partnership... it works for what we earn now and it would no doubt work for more money.
if that is how she is, then it probably have been better for him if she DID leave his a** with nothing...
there's no way, it has to be a made up story just to get her on the air...