A married couple who won £2.3 million (US$3 million) in the UK National Lottery have divorced after the wife began a relationship with one of the UK's richest men.
David and Victoria Jones won £2.3 million in 2004, having been married for a month, and used the money to set up a successful property portfolio in Devizes, Wiltshire.
Twelve years later, the pair said the lottery "ruined their lives" and that they wish they had never won.
Mrs. Jones, 41, who bought the winning ticket with the last pound coin in her purse, has reportedly left her husband for wealthy businessman Mike Clare — who sold bed retailer Dreams for £222 million in 2008.
Despite having bought a luxury home and a £70,000 sports car with their lottery winnings, Mrs. Jones said it was "one of the worst things that's ever happened to [her]".
"The stress it gives you in life and even 12 years down the line, I'm still classed as a lottery winner and it's horrible. It ruins your life. People treat you differently — it's just not a nice thing," she said.
Their relationship began to deteriorate on Boxing Day last year, when Mr. Jones, 41, said his wife announced she was leaving him.
But, during a make-or-break trip to Cape Verde in March, Mr. Jones claims he discovered his wife's affair with Mr. Clare after reading text messages exchanged between the two.
Mrs. Jones initially denied a relationship with the businessman, saying they were "just good friends".
But Mr. Clare — who now runs property firm Clarenco and is worth an estimated £260 million — yesterday confirmed the relationship, although he is still married to his wife of 37 years, Carol.
"I am seeing Victoria Jones. She didn't leave her husband for me," he said.
"We're not living together or anything like that, I'm seeing her. I'm quite friendly with my wife, I had a meeting with her yesterday.
"I haven't just seen Victoria. Everyone knows I've seen different girls and [my wife] is aware."
Mr. Clare, 61, is said to have separated from his wife in August and the Jones' are believed to be in the process of splitting their assets.
The couple are the latest in a series of partners to split after winning the lottery, dubbed the "lottery curse".
Les and Samantha Scadding split four years after winning £45.5 million in 2009 and Adrian and Gillian Bayford separated a year after their £148 million prize in 2012.
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Its sad to see a marriage break up, I get that. what I don't get is people who claim "the lottery ruined my life".
the lottery doesn't ruin peoples lifes. People ruin thier own lifes.
Yeah I dont understand the "pity party" from these winners
Let me see here
- Still rich
- Had successful company with soon to be ex-husband
She could walk in my shoe's and I will take her $$$ if its so bad.
- She can work a job she hates for very little reward/benefit every day like me
- She can struggle to pay her bills monthly like I do
- She can watch her family/friends struggle financially and not be able to do a thing to help them like I do
- She can live in a poor/economically depressed area with crime/depression around every corner
What a terrible life she lives ,, Being rich. Nothing worse then hearing a rich person cry about how tough life is
Hope he was able to get enough out of her to have some fun of his own. I'm talkin' tropical paradise with big-breasted women serving me....err... him.... drinks
The lottery curse. LOL! How many here agree with that?
I doubt you will find anyone on this site who believes in the "Curse of the Lottery". I know you wont find anyone here afraid of it!...lol
What would have happened had they not won the lottery? Would she have NOT cheated on her husband? Would they still be happy together? No body knows.
They didnt win that much and it was 12 years ago. So, no, I dont believe that it had any adverse effect on their marriage.
With some of the other examples they gave, I like the idea that you can split up and walk off with tens of millions. No need to be miserable.
Sorry but using the lottery for a excuse does not fly. Not only breaking her vows with her hubby
but having a fling with a married man gives us a little more insight into the real reason. Morons
will be morons but blaming it on the lottery is a joke.
RL
There's always something behind the story. Heck it could be worse.
What's worse than winning a million?
Winning two million!
I guess she took some of the winnings and went shopping for new furniture and this "bed" salesman had an irresistible demonstration!!
Maybe after she gets tired of that rich guy, she can take hot sauce off Marie Holmes' hands.
Hot sauce is probably a little light in the deep pockets department so chances are she wouldn't be interested. Marie Holmes is on her own and she needs to wise up and relocate far far away before he gets paroled.
Just one little BANG does not a relationship make. Obviously, Mike Claire likes to stick it in wherever and whenever he can. Fools Paradise.
The rich guy most likely will not leave his wife for this one little bang. He admitted to being a serial banger and the fact that his wife knows about it says it all. Surely, he does not want to split his millions especially now that he is getting free pu55y with his wife's approval.
Don't worry folks. Younger women and older men only last for awhile. After the younger woman gets what she wants from the old dude she will find her a young hunk to cheat with. THEY.....ALWAYS.....DO. Mark this post!!
mypiemaster, it's too presumptive for you to say that this older man's wife offered her "approval" to his apparently unhidden serial non-devotion/commitment her. It is possible that she got turned off [lost all love and respect, whether earned or not] to her husband's selfish/mean ways years ago -- when she determined that women are the demeaning status of "girls" to him and most probably/sadly she falls into that things type of mentality from her decades long time husband too. Possibly this wife stayed (didn't formally divorce him but made it her new priority to value/save herself by buying a separate super nice home and vehicle which thrills her and gives her peace and comfort) because at least he didn't prevent her accessing/withdrawing several million dollars in at least one of their ever high balance financial accounts.
Yet, who knows ... may have nothing to do with respect/love/value/faithfulness.
Money doesn't make you happy .
It's what you do with it , to make it last for years !!!!
If you knew money going to cause your divorce ,
why even play the lottery ?
Yes, it sounds like she ruined their marriage. She will lose in the long run.
Nobody knows that money is going to cause a divorce. Their love for each other has to be a lot stronger than that money. Sounds like she let the money take over and I bet she's not in love with the new guy. it's the money.
Yea, just having a Lorena Bobbitt flashback.
"I'm quite friendly with my wife, I had a meeting with her yesterday."
I think that tells us all we need to know about that marriage.
I didn't know why this couple got divorced.