The $590 million jackpot was claimed earlier this morning , and now we finally know who is holding the winning ticket. Gloria Mackenzie, an 84-year-old woman, stepped forward today to cash in the largest winning ticket in Powerball history.
According to the NY Daily News , Mackenzie opted take her winnings in one cash payment worth $370,896,780.54. It is the largest amount paid out to a single winner in the history of the game.
Florida state law doesn’t allow for Powerball winners to remain anonymous. Mackenzie was on hand at a press conference today, but she did not speak to the press. A Florida lottery official read a statement from the 84-year-old winner, which asked the press to respect her privacy.
Mackenzie said in a statement: “We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery powerball jackpot and appreciate the interest of the public, state of Florida and the Lottery. We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family’s benefit.”
Mackenzie didn’t say much in her statement, but she did reveal one interesting piece of information. The $590 million jackpot winner said that a stranger let her cut in line on the day that she bought her Quick Pick tickets.
Mackenzie said: “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.”
The 84-year-old winner didn’t say how she planned on spending the money but did say that she would be splitting the pot with her son.
[Image Via YouTube]