"Once homeless, California woman now worth millions after lottery win, officials say"

[C Moon]

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article275031991.html

A woman who used to experience homelessness just became a millionaire after picking a scratch-off ticket with her eyes closed, California Lottery officials said. Lucia Forseth was at the Walmart Supercenter in Pittsburg getting an oil change done on her car when she decided to buy the instant ticket, according to a May 3 news release. She had no idea she was about to win $5 million.

“I only bought one ticket,” Forseth told lottery officials. “I closed my eyes and picked that one, and it won! I first thought I’d won a free ticket, but I checked, and it said I won $5 million!” Forseth said buying a “ticket called 2023 has deep meaning” for her, according to the release.

“Six years ago, I was homeless. This year I am getting married, getting my associate degree, and won $5 million,” Forseth said. “You never think you have a chance to win it. It is just random. Being homeless just six years ago, I never thought it would happen to someone like me.”

https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article275031991.html

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. It may be rare, but sometimes, miracles do happen! And this lady got one. A BIG ONE. nt

[irisblue]

2. Good for her! Hope she gets solid financial planner & lawyers fast.

[lame54]

3. Not a lottery fan but this is great

[LakeArenal]

4. I loved watching Lottery Dream Home.

Everyone’s story so nice. They then buy a nice hose….. David Bromstad saying “Cute” 30 times. I enjoy it.

[C Moon]

5. Yes. That was a fun show.

He sure went crazy with the tats!

[Deuxcents]

7. I used to watch him when he redesigned a home and left a signed painting..

He’s still on a show about lottery winners buying new homes

[LakeArenal]

9. He was a Next HDTV Star winner.

I’ve also seen him on a home design competition that always judged him and another designer for too much color.

[LakeArenal]

10. So many tats.... So.....mannnnny....tats.

[spooky3]

11. I think it's still on. I like it too. In an interview, he said

Last edited Wed May 3, 2023, 07:44 PM - Edit history (1)

One thing he enjoys about it is how happy the buyers are to be able to afford things many of the rest of us have taken for granted (eg decent water pressure).

[LakeArenal]

12. My dream has been to have a "convenient" closet...

For the vacuum, brooms and buckets. Not in a pantry where I keep food and not in a closet that has clothes. Sigh….. Currently vac stored under a desk.

[LisaM]

14. Yes they always buy within their means, or usually.

It's one of the charms of the show. It's almost a blueprint on how to spend wisely if you win.

[LoisB]

6. Good for her!

[Peregrine Took]

8. Paywall. n/t

[MissMillie]

13. Here you go

https://archive.is/kJan1

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

15. It does seem as if she'll be sensible about her win.

So many who win a big lottery are completely bankrupt only a few years later. The really big winners invariably make the mistake of taking their winnings all at once, rather than over 20 or so years. The longer payout would give them time to figure out how to manage the money.

I also think that a big winner should, if at all possible, not have their name made public. Depending on where you live, that may or may not be possible.