An El Paso single mother of two who worked three jobs is now a millionaire after claiming a $94 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot Monday in Austin, the Texas Lottery Commission announced.
Martha L. Cuellar, who chose the cash value option for $53 million, won the Mega Millions drawing May 16 with a ticket bought at the Good Time Store at 6390 Alameda, lottery officials said. The store selling the jackpot ticket is eligible for a 1 percent bonus, or about $940,000.
Cuellar, a licensed vocational nurse who worked two other undisclosed jobs, was joined by her children and her fiancé Monday morning in Austin to claim her winnings, said Bobby Heith, director of media relations for the Texas Lottery.
"She was very excited, as you can imagine," Heith said. "Staff asked her how many jobs she had, and she said three. They asked her how many jobs she has now, she said, 'Zero.' "
Cuellar had forgotten about the lucky ticket — one of three games she bought that day — and didn't know she had won until two days after the drawing when she heard some of the numbers on the radio as she went to work.
"I knew I had the Mega Ball so I stopped at the store to check the results," she said in a lottery news release. "When I got to my car and saw that the numbers matched I started shaking, but I still couldn't believe it."
After double-checking the numbers with her co-workers at the hospital, Cuellar called her fiancé.
"I was so excited I just told him in Spanish, 'Le pegamos, le pegamos,' which means 'We hit it, We hit it,' " Cuellar said. "He said, 'What, who did you hit?' "
Cuellar, who had won $2,000 in a scratch-off game in the past, now plans to retire.
"I'm going to buy a house and a car and take care of my son and daughter and the rest of my family," she said. "And my son wants to go to medical school. I'd have taken a fourth job if necessary to help make that happen, but this should make it a lot easier."
I like this story. Congratulations to the single mother of two with her fiancee. I'm glad that jackpot winner decided to stop working and retire after a huge win. I hope she doesn't have problems later in life.
I like this story. Congratulations to the single mother of two with her fiancee. I'm glad that jackpot winner decided to stop working and retire after a huge win. I hope she doesn't have problems later in life.
That's fiancé, or something like that. Use the "omega" button next to the smileys when responding.
I am happy for her.......but won't these people ever learn.......ya don't need to show your cowokers the ticket to make it look real or for verification....that is just looking for trouble. But I am delighted for her.
I just posted about the show 'Windfall' on my blog www.jcbabylove.blogspot.com This lady reminds me of the pizza delivery girl on the show, who was also a single mom working multiple jobs. Now that Martha has wisely retired, maybe she could make a guest appearance on the show -lol. Also, I love the name of the convenience store where she played!
I was JUST saying the other day that just ONCE I wanted to read about a single mom winning that busts her @ss and WOW BAaaaaaaaaaahDOoooooow lol May be I should say JUST ONCE I want to hit it for millions LMAO anyhow... being a mother of 5 now.... this brought tears to my eyes! To know that someone out there IS living all of our dreams! Yeah it would be nice to someday be my turn ... but at least I can say someone who needed it JUST AS BAD got it instead of some dumba$$ that doesnt need it or appreciate it CONGRATS!!!!!!
I like this story. Congratulations to the single mother of two with her fiancee. I'm glad that jackpot winner decided to stop working and retire after a huge win. I hope she doesn't have problems later in life.
I agree. This is a great story. I hope all goes well for her. =)
Well, it's about time we see someone that obviously could use a lucky break get rewarded with a huge win.
Good for her !!!
DD
really, I am glad to see it too. I like stories like this one.
I like this story. Congratulations to the single mother of two with her fiancee. I'm glad that jackpot winner decided to stop working and retire after a huge win. I hope she doesn't have problems later in life.
I like this story. Congratulations to the single mother of two with her fiancee. I'm glad that jackpot winner decided to stop working and retire after a huge win. I hope she doesn't have problems later in life.
That's fiancé, or something like that. Use the "omega" button next to the smileys when responding.
My favorite winner, right here. The single parent. To me all good single parents are winners...There is no tougher job on the planet.
My favorite winner, right here. The single parent. To me all good single parents are winners...There is no tougher job on the planet.
Amen
this one put a smile on my face....
I am happy for her.......but won't these people ever learn.......ya don't need to show your cowokers the ticket to make it look real or for verification....that is just looking for trouble. But I am delighted for her.
What a great story, maybe a LP player is next.
I just posted about the show 'Windfall' on my blog www.jcbabylove.blogspot.com This lady reminds me of the pizza delivery girl on the show, who was also a single mom working multiple jobs. Now that Martha has wisely retired, maybe she could make a guest appearance on the show -lol. Also, I love the name of the convenience store where she played!
I was JUST saying the other day that just ONCE I wanted to read about a single mom winning that busts her @ss and WOW BAaaaaaaaaaahDOoooooow lol May be I should say JUST ONCE I want to hit it for millions LMAO
anyhow... being a mother of 5 now.... this brought tears to my eyes! 
To know that someone out there IS living all of our dreams! Yeah it would be nice to someday be my turn ... but at least I can say someone who needed it JUST AS BAD got it instead of some dumba$$ that doesnt need it or appreciate it CONGRATS!!!!!!
What a great story, maybe a LP player is next.
When that happens, it will be an even better story. I hope it's a story about me.
Wonderful to hear stories like this.
I like this story. Congratulations to the single mother of two with her fiancee. I'm glad that jackpot winner decided to stop working and retire after a huge win. I hope she doesn't have problems later in life.
I agree. This is a great story. I hope all goes well for her. =)