Charlie Lagarde was celebrating her ascent into adulthood.
On her 18th birthday earlier this month, the Canadian teenager bought a bottle of sparkling wine and a $4 scratch lottery ticket at a nearby convenience store in Quebec — and, just like that, her future was off to a very nice start.
Loto-Québec officials said in a statement that after buying her first lottery ticket, Lagarde won the grand prize March 14 in the Gagnant à vie (Winner for life) game.
Her first major decision as an adult? The 18-year-old had to decide whether she wanted the $1 million lump sum (US$773,800) or $1,000 per week (US$773.80) for the rest of her life.
Lagarde waited a couple weeks to make up her mind, consulting a financial adviser and considering her options. Then she decided that, based on her age, she would accept the tax-free lifetime annuity, according to local reports.
An official with the lottery corporation said it's the equivalent of a $100,000 annual salary before taxes.
The teen said she intends to invest in her education as well as do some traveling — one of her passions.
"I want to study photography. One of my dreams would be to work for National Geographic," she said, according to the statement from lottery officials.
Lagarde bought the lottery ticket at a Couche-Tard convenience store, but she waited to scratch it until she got back to her home in Montérégie, not far from Montreal, according to the Canadian Press news agency.
Lottery officials said in the statement earlier this week that she immediately told her family that she had won, and "everyone was euphoric at this stoke of luck."
Prizes in Canadian dollars for the Gagnant à vie game range from $4 to the grand prize — the $1 million one-time payout or the $1,000 weekly lifetime annuity. Although the odds of winning something are about 1 in 2.5, the chances of taking home the top prize are only about 1 in 6 million, according to the lottery.
The Canadian Press reported that Lagarde, accompanied by family members and friends, made her way Monday to the Loto-Quebec headquarters in Montreal. There, she was presented with the customary giant check.
Patrice Lavoie, a spokesman for the lottery corporation, called it a "great start in life" for a "kind, down-to-earth and well-advised young lady."
"She wants to pursue her education, study photography and dreams about working for National Geographic," he said in a statement Wednesday. "She was a real breath of fresh air when she came to our office to claim her prize, with friends and family. All of us at Loto-Quebec are really happy for her."
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congrats!
Congratulations to Charlie Lagarde! She waited to claim her prize. She consulted a financial adviser who gave the correct answers to her questions.
Can you imagine receiving (US$773.80) once a week for the rest of your life?
And she has dreams for her future.
Nice Congratulations!!! Charlie
The first time you play is probably the luckiest and the best time there is to play. Beats my $20 by a mile! Lol
I never liked the idea of trusting the government to fulfill its obligations in these matters (re: Illinois), but someone winning a weekly award for life at the age of 18 sounds smart for doing so. Congratulations!
Way to go, Charlie! May all your dreams come true! You're off to a great start!
Lucky and smart--congratulations to her.
It's in Canada, it's tax free. So it's $1,000CD a week. Also please show your math, here the feds withhold 25%, but a single person with 52K$ a year is no where near that tax rate, She would have got a big tax refund.
It's in Canada, it's tax free. So it's $1,000CD a week. Also please show your math, here the feds withhold 25%, but a single person with 52K$ a year is no where near that tax rate, She would have got a big tax refund.
Oops, I had read another article on the subject and did not see the translated Canadian Dollars to US$ in this article. Wow, that is a big dollar difference, I thought it was closer to 10%, sorry
One of my favorite winner stories!!! She values an education and has goals. And I learned there is a store in Canada called go to bed late...i.e. night owl??? Lol
Apology accepted. I love your signature. "Don't believe everything you read on the Internet" Abraham Lincoln
A bit anachronistic.
Read an article about this win, and investors were saying that she made the correct choice! Apparently, Canadians are living well into their 80's. Given that she is still only 18, Charlie will collect well over 3 million dollars in her lifetime. With a name like Charlie, it has to be good.
Hopefully she's wise with the money. At 18 its a good choice to take the annuity. If she lives to the 70 that's over 50 years of annual lottery payments which would equal over 2.7 million dollars. Just have to watch out for the snakes now. If there is a boyfriend (or ex) she may get pestered. If neither applies she may get unwanted advances from male figures. She just needs to be careful. Looks like that she has a good head on her shoulders.
Good for her.
Pure blind luck anyone doubt that?
And I'm waiting for someone to ask what kind of 'scratcher system' she used.