The lucky woman previously won a $225,000 prize in 2017, according to lottery officials
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A Kentucky woman won big after cashing in on a $20 Kentucky Lottery ticket
- The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, was shopping at a different store than normal when she won, according to lottery officials
- When she first called her husband to tell him the big news, he said he initially thought something must be wrong because “she couldn’t talk” and “kept saying she couldn’t breathe”
A Kentucky woman was shocked when a grocery store visit led to her winning a $500,000 lottery prize.
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, had her stroke of luck while out shopping one day at a store she didn't usually go to — and although she initially planned to cash in a lottery ticket she already had, she decided to switch things up.
“I had a $20 ticket to cash in and thought, ‘Oh, forget it, I’ll grab one while I’m here,’ ” she told Kentucky Lottery officials.
First, she matched the number 31 in the first row. A second scratch revealed the grand prize in the row below.
“When I saw those three zeros, I froze," she said. "I couldn’t breathe. I was shaking, I couldn’t drive. I think I may have passed out."
When the woman called her husband, he says he initially thought something must be wrong.
"She couldn’t talk, she just kept saying she couldn’t breathe,” her husband said. “Winning half a million dollars was the last thing I expected to hear.”
Soon thereafter the couple visited the Kentucky Lottery headquarters to claim the prize, which amounted to $362,500 after taxes.
Kroger will also receive $5,000 for selling the winning ticket.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Incidentally, this was not the woman's first lottery win. In 2017, she won a $225,000 Cash Ball top prize — and now, with her latest win, the woman says the windfall will give her family a new kind of financial stability.
“This money gives me breathing room," she said. "I’ll help my daughter and finally buy a new car — one I can pick out myself.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, please contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700 or go to gamtalk.org.
Read the full article here
