One Mega Millions winner down, one to go
While a 56-year-old Georgia woman celebrates her sudden fortune, the person with whom she will share a $648 million Mega Millions jackpot remains a mystery.
That person bought a ticket bearing the numbers 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 and Mega Ball 7 at Jenny’s Gift and Kids Wear in San Jose.
Lottery officials identified the Georgia winner as Ira Curry, of Stone Mountain, an Atlanta suburb. According to a statement released by lottery officials, Curry said of winning: “It’s unreal. It’s like I’m still dreaming.”
Curry bought a single ticket. Curry said the numbers are a combination of family birthdays. She added that seven is the family’s lucky number. She chose a single-payment option, rather than an annuity, and will take home about $120 million after federal and state taxes, officials said.
Curry was driving Tuesday morning when she heard the retailer location and one of the winning numbers on the radio. She asked her daughter to check her ticket and was stunned.
“I was calm because it was unbelievable,” she said.
According to Curry, she hasn’t had a chance to think about future plans.
Curry chose not to appear at Wednesday’s lottery news conference in order to “take some time to think about it with her husband,” lottery officials said. It is reported that they responded to media calls by saying “We’re not interested in any publicity at all.”
The California winner might also be taking some time to think about how extremely his or her life has changed.
On Wednesday, Lopez said officials had received many tips about who may have won the jackpot. “We actually try to find our winners,” Lopez said.
In addition to the two jackpot-winning tickets, there were 20 $1 million winners who matched five numbers.
Some dreams do come true. Play the Mega Millions today.