An elderly Florida woman has claimed the $590 million Powerball bonanza and revealed that she bought the winning ticket by when another person waiting to buy a ticket let her jump the line.
Gloria C. Mackenzie, 84, of Zephyrhills, Fla., was named the winner of the largest Powerball jackpot in history, but was not present at the televised press conference.
Florida Lottery officials read a statement from her in which the elderly woman said:
"We bought the winning ticket as a single ticket, even though we bought four other tickets before the drawing. While in line at Publix another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket.
John Raoux/AP Photo
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"We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida jackpot... We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family's benefit," her statement said.
"The winner opted to take the lump sum cash payout of $370.8 million, before taxes, instead of 30 annual payments of $19 million," lottery spokeswoman Cynthia O'Connell said.
Mackenzie came forward with her winning ticket this morning, ending a two week-long mystery of who won the jackpot.
She presented her winning ticket to her local lottery claims center with her son, Scott Mackenzie, financial adviser from Madden Advisory Services in Jacksonville, and a lawyer from Brant, Abraham, Reiter, McCormick & Johnson in Jacksonville.
"This is great excitement for Gloria Mackenzie, her family, and the state of Florida," O'Connell said.
Mackenzie will be joining the exclusive club of 100 people who have become millionaires after winning the massive lottery.
She has not disclosed her immediate plans for the money.
The winning ticket was bought at Publix Supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla., drawn on May 18, and announced on May 19.
Gloria C. Mackenzie, 84, of Zephyrhills, Fla., was named the winner of the largest Powerball jackpot in history, but was not present at the televised press conference.
Florida Lottery officials read a statement from her in which the elderly woman said:
"We bought the winning ticket as a single ticket, even though we bought four other tickets before the drawing. While in line at Publix another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket.
John Raoux/AP Photo
Powerball tickets, right, along with other... View Full Size
Powerball Madness: More Than $600M Up for Grabs Watch Video
Powerball Jackpot Balloons to $475M Watch Video
$338M Powerball Winner Settles Child Support Debt Watch Video
"We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida jackpot... We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family's benefit," her statement said.
"The winner opted to take the lump sum cash payout of $370.8 million, before taxes, instead of 30 annual payments of $19 million," lottery spokeswoman Cynthia O'Connell said.
Mackenzie came forward with her winning ticket this morning, ending a two week-long mystery of who won the jackpot.
She presented her winning ticket to her local lottery claims center with her son, Scott Mackenzie, financial adviser from Madden Advisory Services in Jacksonville, and a lawyer from Brant, Abraham, Reiter, McCormick & Johnson in Jacksonville.
"This is great excitement for Gloria Mackenzie, her family, and the state of Florida," O'Connell said.
Mackenzie will be joining the exclusive club of 100 people who have become millionaires after winning the massive lottery.
She has not disclosed her immediate plans for the money.
The winning ticket was bought at Publix Supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla., drawn on May 18, and announced on May 19.