Jackpot winners are often faced with the “lottery curse” of sudden riches

Lots of money, bigger problems.

The winning $ 432 million Mega Millions lottery ticket that was purchased at a Manhattan pizzeria on Tuesday night is the biggest jackpot in Big Apple history.

The lucky winner, who has yet to show up to claim their prize, is expected to take home around $ 192 million in after-tax cash.

Previous New York jackpot winners have seen their fortunes change in significant ways after their lottery wins – from broken marriages and lost wealth to lavish lifestyles and the financial security of their families.

“So many of them end up being miserable or broke. People have been through terrible things,” Lotto winners financial consultant and author Don McNay told Time in 2016. “People kill themselves. People run with it. their money. As soon as it arrives, as soon as it leaves. They divorce or people die.

“It’s just an upheaval they are not ready for. It is the curse of the lottery because it made their lives worse instead of better.

A fierce battle

Juan Rodriguez, of Ozone Park, Queens, was a bankrupt mechanic who had just been kicked out by his wife for 20 years when he won the Mega Millions jackpot of $ 149 million in 2004.

His wife took him back briefly after he claimed his earnings, but she filed for divorce only 10 days later. She got an injunction that kept Rodriguez from getting his jackpot – around $ 59 million after tax – until they could come to a divorce settlement.

A public court battle ensued that ended with the split of the winnings by the separated 50-50 couple.

‘Do the right thing’

Robert Bailey, a retired government employee, claimed his $ 343.8 million Powerball jackpot in November 2018.

Bailey, who had been playing the same numbers for 25 years, bought his winning ticket at the grocery store across the street from his Harlem apartment and ultimately took home $ 125,396,690 after tax.

The 67-year-old contacted a lawyer and a financial planner following his victory, the largest in New York state history at the time.

He said at the time that the jackpot was “a good change of life” and planned to “do the right thing” with his winnings, including taking a trip to Las Vegas and dodging the New York winter in the Bahamas. .

Bailey also intended to buy land for his mother.

Heartbreaking changes

David Yax, who lives in North Evans, upstate New York, was the sole winner of the $ 80 million Powerball jackpot in September 2019.

Earning $ 38,498,567 after the deductions, Yax immediately called his financial advisor.

“To win this amount of money is fantastic, but a little overwhelming. Our lives have changed one hundred percent, ”Yax said at the time.

He planned to create a trust and invest, adding, “We also plan to travel and just have fun.”