How single mum became wealthier than Beyonce, Taylor Swift overnight
By Rita Chioma,
A mum-of-two has become wealthier than Beyonce and Taylor Swift after she scooped $758.7 million, the largest single win in American lottery history.
After realising she had won, Mavis Wanczyk, who beat odds of one-in-292.2 million, immediately called her work to say she would not be returning.
The 53-year-old, hospital cleric from Chicopee, Massachusetts, found out about her win while on what turned out to be her last night shift at a hospital where she had been for more than 30 years.
Mavis said she was with her colleague, Rob, when she checked her numbers.
She explained: “And he’s reading these numbers and I pull mine out and I go ‘hey, I have that …’ and he goes ‘let me see that ticket,’ he goes, ‘you just won.’”
Mavis, the mother of a 31-year-old daughter and a 26-year-old son, said she wasn’t able to drive because she was so stunned.
“I couldn’t do anything so he (Rob) followed me to make sure I made it home safely,’ she added.
When asked what she wants to do with all the money she has won, she said, “The first thing I want to do is just sit back and relax and I had a pipe dream and my pipe dream has finally come true, I wanted to retire in 12 (years) and it came early.
I’ve called work and told them I will not be coming back. I just want to be me and figure out what I want to do. I’m scared but I’ll be ok.”
The shop owner, Bob Bolduc, collected $50,000 for selling the winning ticket and is planning to give the money to charity.
Mavis will now have to decide whether to take a lump sum or have her winnings paid out over 30 years.
If she chooses the quick cash she will receive about $480.5 million as wins in America, are taxed.
According to Forbes report, Beyonce’s estimated net worth is $350 million while that of Taylor Swift is $280 million.
