Mavis Wanczyk is taking her money and making a run for it.
And we don’t blame her one bit.
The native of Chicopee, Massachusetts is a mother of two who purchased a lottery ticket this month from a local Pride Station & Store and won…
… $ 758 million.
The 53-year old took home the largest single jackpot in Powerball history as a result, announcing almost immediately afterward in a press conference that she has quit her job as a hospital worker.
And it bears repeating: We don’t blame her!
“I had a pipe dream, and my pipe dream has finally come true, I wanted to retire and it came early!” Wanczyk told reporters today, adding:
“I called [my employer] and told them I will not be coming back. The first thing I want to do is I just want to sit back and relax.”
Lotto officials estimate that Mavis take home $ 336,350,655 after taxes.
She says she selected the winning numbers based on her family’s birthdays, which is basically the same strategy used by every other individual who has ever played the lottery.
The winning numbers chosen late Wednesday night were 6, 7, 16, 23, 26 – and Powerball number 4.
What was the basis for Wanczyk settling on that final number?
“I just bought it for luck,” she said. “Maybe it’ll be me, maybe it won’t be me. It was a chance I had to take.”
Before she appeared at the aforementioned press conference with executives from the Massachusetts State Lottery, executive director Michael Sweeney referred to Wanczyk as “a prototypical Massachusetts resident.”
“My perception of her is someone who’s a hard-working individual. Clearly she’s excited,” he said.
The $ 758 million prize reflects the annuity option and it will be paid over 29 years.
What will the single mother do with her winnings?
“I want to just be me and be alone and… figure out what I want to do,” she said, admitting she has no immediate plans.
She also said she didn’t follow the drawing closely last night, assuming she would not win of course.
A colleague passed along the amazing news to her this morning.
UPDATE: Mavis actually chose the lump sum instead of the monthly payments. She’ll receive $ 480 million, or $ 336 million after taxes.