Florida woman gives away $43 million Lotto jackpot

Feb 28, 2016, 2:04 pm (69 comments)

Florida Lottery

Florida Lottery officials said a Largo woman was the winner of a $43 million jackpot, and she said she's not keeping a penny of it.

Ruby Sorah, 90, matched all six winnings numbers in the February 17 Florida Lotto drawing.

Officials said Sorah chose to receive her winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $31,042,330.

Though she wouldn't go on camera, Sorah told local media that she and her husband, also 90 years old, were giving the whole jackpot away to family and they have no plans to change their lives at all.

Neighbors, who said the couple is very low-key, are thrilled for them.

"It's God-sent. It's heart-warming," said Rick O'Callaghan, whose brother owns a house across the street. "It's great. They're the quietest, nicest, most reserved people you ever saw in your life. He only comes out to get the mail. Still mows his own lawn. Real, real simple people, got a real, real simple life."

O'Callaghan said, if he won the lottery, he's not sure he'd be able to give it all away.

"[I would] pay off some of my bills. Maybe try and buy a house or something like that," he said.

Other neighbors said they might do the same thing as the Sorahs.

"I think if I were in their situation, I would seriously thinking about doing the same thing. So God bless them. That's just super," a neighbor said.

Ruby Sorah purchased the winning ticket at a Winn-Dixie grocery store on Park Boulevard in Seminole. The store will receive $100,000 in commission for selling the ticket.

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

Fox 13, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

amber123

Lucky family members. 

dr65's avatardr65

She looks absolutely fabulous!

90!

She looks like a nice lady too. They probably were happy with their lives so far and thought

why change now....give it to the younger people to enjoy.

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Why even claim the Winnings if you're giving it away to Family? Let the Family Claim it and Avoid the Gift Tax!

savagegoose's avatarsavagegoose

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Feb 28, 2016

Why even claim the Winnings if you're giving it away to Family? Let the Family Claim it and Avoid the Gift Tax!

was my 1st thoughts. maybe they dont  plan on  giving it straight away, but over time and make sure everyone gets a cut. I mean gove it to one or 2 people and you rely on them sharing it. theyre in no hurry nice iea, but i would keep a little something for my old age

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Maybe they are just pi$$ed off they didn't win it in their twenties or even sixties. I would be pi$$ed off too, for crying out loud.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Feb 28, 2016

Why even claim the Winnings if you're giving it away to Family? Let the Family Claim it and Avoid the Gift Tax!

 After the IRS gets 40% they will end up with $18.6 million. 

 The gift tax could also be 40% or higher if you give a person more than $14,000.00 per year.

music*'s avatarmusic*

 Ruby, Congratulations on winning and living that long. 90 years. 

 Here I am considering taking the 30-year annuity and you give me hope that I can live that long.

 Here is a common quote among senior citizens, "I did not expect to live this long."

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Congratulations Ruby Thumbs Up

OneTrickpony's avatarOneTrickpony

Aw, that is so great!  It's nice when down to earth people win.

ohiopick3's avatarohiopick3

Congratulations to the family members. I hope I win big before I am 90? Or else I would be doing the same thing she did.

Groppo's avatarGroppo

Quote: Originally posted by ohiopick3 on Feb 28, 2016

Congratulations to the family members. I hope I win big before I am 90? Or else I would be doing the same thing she did.

It's a doggone shame the older Ms. didn't have some more years to enjoy this money.  She did the right thing, and you and I are on the same key as to what we'd do with it if we became her age by that time.  (and the way it looks, I hope just to live to 90.)

She has no needs now, whatsoever. It'll all be taken care of for her, and her husband.

NICE HIT GRANNY!

Groppo's avatarGroppo

Quote: Originally posted by OneTrickpony on Feb 28, 2016

Aw, that is so great!  It's nice when down to earth people win.

Yes, isn't that the doggone truth?

Groppo's avatarGroppo

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Feb 28, 2016

Maybe they are just pi$$ed off they didn't win it in their twenties or even sixties. I would be pi$$ed off too, for crying out loud.

Yes, My Pie Master, I agree 100%.

Groppo's avatarGroppo

Quote: Originally posted by amber123 on Feb 28, 2016

Lucky family members. 

Music* figures they'll end up with 18 million.

I just hope I get 1/18 as lucky as them, some day, after taxes.

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