What is the most extravagant thing you have ever bought? Or better yet, what’s the most extravagant thing you’d buy if you won the lottery tomorrow? We’ve all dreamed of that stroke of luck that would allow us to get whatever we want, no matter how strange or unusual. If you’re not sure what that would be for you, you can take inspiration from some of the world’s luckiest lottery winners. Today, we’re going to tell you about the bizarre purchases made by lottery winners. You’ll be amazed at the extravagances some have chosen to buy with their winnings!
8 Bizarre Purchases Made by Lottery Winners
Here’s a list of the craziest purchases made by lottery winners.
1. Edwing Castro: Millionaire mansions
We start our list of bizarre purchases made by lottery winners with Edwing Castro, the winner of the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. and world history. In 2022, Castro matched all 6 numbers on the Powerball and walked away with a whopping $2.04 billion jackpot, the largest Powerball jackpot to date. Since then, Castro has invested his winnings in a variety of real estate. He bought a $47 million mansion in Los Angeles, California, and another $25.5 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
2. David Copeland: Real estate beyond this world
But why buy a house on Earth when you can buy a piece of the Moon? In 2000, David Copeland won £1 million in the lottery. He decided to invest some of his fortune in out-of-this-world real estate. Copeland bought land on the Moon, Mars and Venus. Although the viability of these acquisitions remains uncertain, Copeland’s decision reflects the boundless imagination fueled by his sudden wealth.
3. Peter Lavery: A whisky distillery
Not all bizarre purchases made by lottery winners are unnecessary or bad investments. Sometimes they turn out to be great successes, as in the case of Peter Lavery. The $10.2 million he won in the lottery ignited his entrepreneurial spirit and led him to start his own whisky distillery. With an astonishing investment of $5 million, Lavery’s venture not only quenched his thirst for success, but also proved to be a resounding triumph. His distillery not only boosted his newfound wealth, but also solidified his status as a business magnate.
4. Debbie Mather: A fireworks factory
Many consider Friday the 13th to be an unlucky day, but Debbie Mather will prove that 13 is a very lucky number. On a Friday the 13th in 2005, Debbie Mather won an astounding $5.1 million jackpot. While her initial spending was sensible, Mather soon decided to fulfill her childhood fantasies and start her own fireworks factory. According to Mather, she had always dreamed of seeing the sky filled with fireworks, so she made that dream come true.
5. John and Linda Kutey: Building a water park
In 2011, John Kutey and his wife Linda won a Mega Millions jackpot of $319 million. Rather than focus solely on their own enjoyment, they decided to share their joy and wealth with the community. In honor of their parents, they donated $200,000 to build a spray park in Green Island, New York. This vibrant water park not only beautified the community, but also became a legacy for future generations.
6. Nigel Willetts: A trampoline park
But if you thought a water park was an unusual purchase for a lottery winner, wait until you hear about Nigel Willetts’ trampoline park. In 2012, Willetts won €1 million on EuroMillions and decided to invest a large portion of his winnings in building a trampoline park called Go Air. With €75,000, he brought his vision of creating a place full of fun and jumping for people of all ages to life. Willetts proved that the most bizarre purchases made by lottery winners can also be the most innovative and exciting.
7. Roger Griffiths: Recording a music album
Lottery winnings aren’t just for bizarre purchases; many winners use them to make their dreams come true. Roger Griffiths is a prime example: In 2006, he won $1.8 million in the lottery, which gave him the opportunity to pursue his musical aspirations. After securing a luxury home and investing in rental properties, Griffiths decided to fulfill a long-held dream. He used part of his winnings to record an album with his old college band, FMD.
8. Bob Erb: Advocate for marijuana legalization
In 2012, Bob Erb of Canada won $25 million in the lottery. Instead of spending his lottery winnings on bizarre or unusual purchases like other winners, he chose to support a cause he has always championed: the legalization of marijuana. Erb donated approximately $825,000 to political causes to further his desire to legalize marijuana in Canada and became a prominent advocate for reforming laws related to the plant.
Summing up…
What did you think of these bizarre purchases by lottery winners? Which one surprised you the most?
If you were the next lucky winner, what would you do with all that money? What would be your most unusual and exciting dream? We’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.
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See you next time!!!