Australians have shared stories detailing how their family and friends spent their multi-million-dollar fortunes after winning the lottery jackpot.
One curious person sparked an amusing discussion on Reddit after posing the question: ‘Do you know anyone who won the lottery in Australia?’
Hundreds of people responded with fascinating tales, ranging from heartwarming, life-changing wins to truly tragic outcomes that left winners deeper in debt despite becoming millionaires.
One said their former neighbours won $660,000 but were irresponsible with their money, sending them broke just a few years after their lottery win.
‘They purchased a hell of a lot of crap and after about five years were in more debt than they had before the win,’ they shared.
Another shared how their millionaire friend enjoyed wealth, only to return to a regular job within 24 months after spending all their lottery money.
‘A friend of mine won $1million in 2001. All gone by 2003 and he was back working, with no assets to speak of,’ they said.
‘$1million was a lot of money back then. By all accounts, he at least had a really fun two years.’
Australians have shared stories detailing how their family and friends spent their multi-million-dollar fortunes after winning the lottery jackpot
One shared that they personally knew three people who have won the lottery.
‘My best mate’s dad won $100,000 top prize on a scratchie he only got as he went to get the weekend paper and they had sold out so he got a scratchie instead,’ they said.
‘Then two family friends won lotto. One is still rich, the other blew it all then sold the house, the boat and the car he had got as he could not afford the upkeep once he blew his $2 million.’
A man shared how the parents of one of his friends made a huge mistake investing in a business with the $1million they’d won.
‘Instead of paying out their expensive house and continuing with their decent paying jobs, they quit and bought a popular franchise which eventually sent them broke,’ he explained.
‘I get that they wanted to work for themselves… but they really should have hedged their bets or just paid off the house and coasted through work for a while.’
Another man revealed how his own family won the jackpot many years ago – and while it brought financial freedom, it was a ‘double-edged sword’.
‘We never had money, and my family and friends would have been no different to anybody else’s. The harsh truth is that money brings out the best and worst in people. It’s good to have, not easy to keep and people come out of the woodwork for a piece of it,’ he explained.
‘While it relieves financial pressure in many ways, it also attracts a bunch of new pressures, and you find yourself worrying about things that never crossed your mind before.
‘Given my own personal experience, if I ever found myself winning a large amount of money, I’d keep it secret – even from family. This, I’d do for everyone’s benefit.’
One person revealed one of their family members won almost $1million – but he ended up losing everything.
‘He was a generous soul who trusted lifelong friends and learned the hard way. He was a beautiful man and even though he lost all his money and worldly possessions my entire family rallied around him,’ they said.
‘We cared for him in his final years and in his death. He may not have had all the riches but he was definitely a rich man in the end and very well loved.’
While some lottery winners faced unfortunate outcomes, others shared heartwarming stories of how their family and friends spent their winnings wisely.
One woman shared how an extended family member was able to set themselves up financially after taking home $1.2million in their 20s.
‘They had $2 in their wallet and it was the first time they’d bought a lotto ticket. Set them up nicely. Bought a house, a car and went on a holiday. They did well out of it,’ she said.
Another woman said her mum’s ex-husband’s auntie won her share of $70million in Queensland back in 2013 after joining a syndicate with a group of work colleagues.
‘They each put in some loose change and the rest is history. She was really deserving as her husband was a serial cheater and actually gave her a serious STD that has left her with some health issues – the poor thing,’ she said.
‘She apparently has still lived in the same house for over 20 years. She just goes on frequent holidays and helps out the family… of course mum’s ex-husband has tried to be super friendly to her but I don’t think he’ll see a cent.’
Hundreds of people responded with fascinating tales, ranging from heartwarming, life-changing decisions to truly tragic outcomes that left winners deeper in debt despite becoming millionaires
One shared that their friend recently won $2million.
‘She bought a modest unit to live in and has got the rest in savings and investments. She has not really changed much in her life and is still working,’ they explained.
‘Reality is that for a person in their early 40s who is also a single parent, $2million is a life-changing amount… but not enough to stop working or wholly change their lifestyle.
‘She wants to make sure her kid has a good start and if she lives to her 80s that money has to stretch a long way.’
Another revealed their friend won $4million about 15 years ago – and gave his best mate $500,000 as a wedding gift.
‘He was a miserable glass half empty guy before and it didn’t change much after his win. He purchased a nice house and gave his best friend $500,000 as a wedding gift. Nothing much changed besides that,’ they said.
‘He initially kept the win quiet. At the buck’s, old mate asked his best friend how much he would gift him if he ever won the lotto. Best friend said “$500,000 always I got you”. So $500,000 it was.
‘It was actually lovely as we were all in our early 20s so it was life-changing money.’
One woman said an old school friend quietly won ‘tens of millions of dollars’ but she still went to work every day.
‘She won division one. She now has unreal wealth… and still continues to work as a teacher,’ she said.
Meanwhile, one person shared the ‘best advice’ they’d received if they ever became a mega lottery winner.
‘Wait a while after your big win until a smaller amount (say $100,000 to $200,000) goes off in your area,’ they explained.
‘Tell people you won that and it’s allowed you to do a few things like pay off the house, move house or take a trip.
‘So you admit to winning a small amount to explain a lifestyle change but tell people it’s already gone.
‘I also agree with telling no one. But if it’s a huge amount, that can be a lot harder to hide.’
