Georgia Mega Millions Winner Claims, But California Winner Remains A Mystery
Monday December 30th 2013Almost two weeks after the second largest Mega Millions jackpot in the world was won by two ticket holders, it has been confirmed that one of the winners of the $648 million jackpot has claimed their prize while the identity of the second winner remains a mystery.
The first winner, who bought their winning ticket from the Gateway Newsstand in Atlanta, Georgia, claimed her prize the day after the draw took place on December 18. Ira Curry, a 56 year old insurance underwriter from Stone Mountain, opted to take her winnings in a cash lump sum worth an estimated $173 million before taxes. Since claiming her prize, she and her family have disappeared from public view and are thought to be in hiding until the attention surrounding her win dies down.
Despite attracting media attention across the world, the second winner, who purchased their ticket from Jenny’s Gift Shop located on 1818 Tully Road #154B in San Jose, CA, has yet to surface. There was speculation that the winner may come forward over the festive period in order to avoid some of the press attention but this has not been the case.
However, the elusive winner wasn’t the only California millionaire to have been made during the $648 million draw. Under CA Lottery law, Jenny’s Gift Shop owner Thuy Nguyen will receive a cool $1 million for selling the winning ticket and the Vietnamese immigrant, who has only owned the store for four months, is thrilled with his landslide.
“I feel lucky,” Nguyen told reporters. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with the money. I’m not thinking about it right now. I just want to be successful in the USA!”
However, Georgia store owner Young Soo Lee, who sold Ira Curry her jackpot winning ticket, will not gain a cent from her luck as the Georgia Lottery does not pay retailer commission on wins. Not that this has upset Soo Lee, who told reporters, “I’m so excited and happy now, I love my store.”
Lottery.net will bring you more on this story as we have it. Meanwhile, keep up with the latest Mega Millions results by visiting the Results Page.