Saturday January 13, 2018
Shane Missler won $450m on the Florida lottery CREDIT: FACEBOOK
20-year-old from Florida who won $451m (£330m) on the lottery has revealed he wants to use his winnings to do “good for humanity” after quitting his job.
Shane Missler revealed his staggering lotto win in a Facebook status update posted half an hour after the draw on January 5, writing: “Oh. My. God.”
He immediately “retired” from his job at a background screening company, his lawyer confirmed, having won the fourth largest Mega Millions jackpot in history.
The overnight multi-millionaire, whose wealth now matches that of pop star Taylor Swift, said of his spending plans: “I’m only 20, but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity.”
He purchased the lucky ticket from a 7-Eleven newsagent in Port Richey, where his parents live, with the winnings from a scratchcard.
Mr Missler added he just had “a feeling” he might win and credited the power of positive thinking for the lotto outcome.
“If there is one thing I have learned thus far in my short time on Earth it is that those who maintain a positive mindset and stay true to themselves get rewarded,” he said.
“I intend to take care of my family, have some fun along the way and cement a path for financial success so that I can leave a legacy far into the future.”
The American added he has taken a crash course in financial management and feels “fortunate to have this incredible wealth”.
After realising he had the winning numbers, 28 - 30 - 39 - 59 - 70 - plus the 10 Mega Ball -he immediately called his brother and shared the life-changing news with his father over coffee the next morning.
He opted to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $281m (£204m), instead of a larger amount over a longer period. The fund will be paid into a trust managed by Mr Missler, the Tampa Bay times reports.
“The power of positive thinking should not be underestimated!” he concluded in a Twitter post on 11 January.
He posted a day later: “This is only the beginning. I am truly grateful and most appreciative.”
Played in 44 US states, the record Mega Millions jackpot stands at $656 million (£477m), won in March 2012.