A Canadian woman has become almost $40 million richer, all because she decided to brave the crowds on Boxing Day.
Michelle De Roma of Surrey, British Columbia, purchased the winning ticket to last week's Lotto Max draw during a shopping trip at the Tsawwassen Mills outlet mall on Dec. 26, netting her a whopping $39,517,071.
After learning about her massive windfall, De Roma said the first person she told was "the number one love of my life," her husband. "It's my husband's birthday, so it's the perfect gift for him," she said.
"I told him that we won the jackpot and he just hugged me and kissed me and he shouted, 'Wow!'" she told reporters while claiming her cheque from the B.C. Lottery Corporation Friday.
De Roma plays the lottery about every week and the winning Lotto Max numbers were randomly generated through a quick pick.
The couple waited several days before coming forward, causing some speculation about how long the mysterious winner might wait before cashing in — particularly as a $1 million prize expired after going unclaimed for a year.
De Roma said her three children don't even know about the massive win yet. But now that she's stepped up to receive her prize, De Roma said she's planning to purchase some new real estate for the family.
"I just want a nice house for my kids," she said. "And I want to travel. Everybody wants to travel."
She isn't sure which city they'll be living in, but said she knows at least one far-off and iconic destination she intends to visit.
"I really want to go to Rome — St. Peter's Basilica — with my mother-in-law. She wanted to go there," De Roma said.
She also wants to invest some of the money in real estate. Once De Roma found out she had matched all seven numbers, she put the winning ticket in a safe place.
"I put it in an envelope and put it with other documents," she said. "Important documents! And I already signed it!"
The odds of winning a Lotto Max jackpot are one in 28,633,528 per play, the B.C. Lottery Corp. says.
De Roma said she considers the win an "amazing blessing," and had hoped for a miracle whenever she bought lottery tickets.
She plans to continue playing the lottery.
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Thanks to ebrockerville for the tip.
Happy Days are here again for Michelle & family.
Congrats to the winner
She plans to continue playing the lottery.
Why? You just won the highest prize. Take your money and run, don't give it back!
The inducement of making even more money is powerful TB.Even Mayweather still bets...
Congratulations to the lucky family! Be wise when you invest your Canadian dollars.
Good for her..........lucky, eh?
Um, maybe she actually enjoys gambling, like the millions of lottery fans who visit Lottery Post every year? You quit a job, not what you love.
Right on, Todd.
I can still hear my late Mum who retired to WA state when some guy won a major lottery jackpot the second time because the guy said he needed a new pair of shoes. She was livid, poor thing played the lottery until near the end and never hit the big one. Not for lack of trying, Dad played too.
Just curious on their tax rate or do they even tax lottery up in that neck of the woods ?
In Windsor, Ontario last June and I asked the Canadians about this and they said no taxes unlike us south of the border.
Thanks Bd.........yeah...39.5 Million tax free would make a very comfy life style
I know that I will continue to support the Schools here in California. I may bet more than I do now. Possibly using Lottery Wheels from Lottery Post.com
When they ask if you plan to keep playing the lottery after a big win, it might be awkward to say "no" while you're holding a giant check from them.