From humble beginnings to $70M dreams: hard work finally pays off

By Kate Northrop

BRAMPTON, Canada — A Jamaican couple who "came to Canada with nothing" are "taking things slowly" after an unsuspecting Mother's Day present rewarded them with a $70 million (US$49.7 million) Lotto Max jackpot.

Two Jamaican natives are jumping for joy after years of hard work, tedious saving, and careful spending ultimately led to them winning a $70 million Lotto Max jackpot.

It was a heartwarming celebration for Audrey and Wills W. of Brampton, who would never have predicted that a little Mother's Day gift would turn into the biggest shock, decades after moving to Canada in search of a better life.

They've been playing the lottery for years, so it made sense that Wills gave Audrey a Lotto Max Quick Pick ticket for the holiday.

After the May 8, 2026 Lotto Max drawing took place, Audrey checked the ticket on the Ontario Lottery's mobile app.

"I saw the winning amount on the screen, turned to Wills, and said, 'Look at this — is this $70?'" Audrey recalled to Lottery officials. "He glanced at it and said, 'No — look again because there are so many more zeros!' When I realized it was $70 million, I was shocked. I had to double-check to make sure it was real. That's when I started jumping on the bed in excitement and then fell to my knees overcome with joy!"

But the surprise was compounded by the anticipation of hearing that the winning Lotto Max ticket was sold in Brampton. At that time, it was just wishful thinking, but Wills and Audrey's daughter was convinced that her parents were the winners, hours before Audrey had even checked the ticket.

"When we finally told her the news of the win, she smiled and said, 'I knew it!'" Audrey laughed with Lottery staff.

The thrill of the moment was overwhelming to the point that the adrenaline physically manifested itself.

"I could feel it pulsing through my body," Wills said in a press release. "I may look calm and cool on the outside, but I'm thrilled on the inside!"

It's a bizarre sensation to come to terms with the reality that your wealth suddenly skyrocketed to the tens of millions, but the couple is prepared to apply the same measured approach to it the same way they've navigated their life all these years.

"I'm thinking about our future and our next steps, but it's hard to make plans when this all feels like a dream," Audrey said. "We'll absolutely make the most of this win. We don't have any big plans yet, but we'll take things slowly and work with our trusted advisors to ensure we're making smart, responsible decisions. We came to Canada with nothing. We worked hard, learned to save, and never lived beyond our means. It will take a while to get used to this."

The win will allow them to improve their quality of life, but before that happens, they're going to support their loved ones.

"Our family and friends will benefit from this win," Audrey continued. "We want to share and lift others up. Telling our friends and family is going to be a lot of fun."

Of course, they've already fleshed out some ideas to put the millions to use. For Audrey, she hopes to build a dream home in Jamaica where she and her family can spend the winter months while they head back to Canada for the summer. She loves cooking and bringing close friends and family together for home-cooked meals, so she and Wills plan to remodel the kitchen in their current Brampton home.

For Wills, a vintage car enthusiast, he plans on using some of the cash to purchase and possibly restore some vintage cars.

The winnings will also give them the financial freedom to travel to their heart's content. At the top of their list is a cruise on the Caribbean Sea.

"I'm a beach lover," Audrey remarked. "I like the sunshine, the sand, and the drinks with the little umbrellas in them!"

"I'm with Audrey," Wills agreed. "I love to be by the sea. As long as I have my wife, a nice home, and the sun is shining, everything is good."

But above all else, a life free of worries is the ultimate victory.

"Most importantly, we can live our lives on our terms," Audrey said with a smile.

"I'm ready for this next phase of life," Wills added. "I've been working towards my retirement, and now, it's going to be next level."

The couple purchased their $70 million winning ticket at Canco One Stop Gas Station on Steeles Avenue in Brampton. They matched all seven numbers in the May 8, 2026 Lotto Max draw: 2, 6, 8, 33, 35, 43, and 44. The odds of matching all seven numbers to win the jackpot are 1 in 33,446,140.

The Lotto Max jackpot currently stands at $25 million (US$17.75 million) for the next drawing on Friday, July 24, 2026. Lotto Max drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

All winning numbers, prizes, and odds are published on Lottery Post's Multi-Province Lottery Results page right after each drawing.

(Click to display full-size in gallery)Audrey and Wills W. of Brampton are all smiles after claiming a CA$70 million (US$49.7 million) Lotto Max jackpot.