Florida Powerball Winners Claim Share of Historic $1.58 Billion Jackpot

David Kaltschmidt and Maureen Smith took their winnings in one lump sum.

ByABC News
February 17, 2016, 12:11 PM

— -- A Florida couple who purchased one of the three winning Powerball tickets for January's historic jackpot came forward to claim their prize at a press conference today.

There were three winners of the $1.58 billion jackpot. One ticket was bought in Tennessee, one in Florida and one in California. Split three ways, each winning ticket will be allotted roughly $528 million.

The winners, identified as married couple David Kaltschmidt and Maureen Smith, opted to take their winnings in one lump sum of $328 million before taxes.

Smith said that she picked the winning numbers and they were the same set of numbers she has been playing "for years," though she doesn't play regularly. The ticket was purchased at a Publix in Melbourne.

They both expressed concern about the downsides of winning, with Smith saying it's "scary" and that she's been "dreading" the public acceptance today.

"I lost over 10 pounds too, it's a lot of pacing at night," Kaltschmidt added.

They took many precautions ahead of claiming the ticket, not even telling their close relatives until this week even though they realized they won the lottery the morning after the winning numbers were announced.

When it comes to spending the money, Kaltschmidt plans to retire after working as a manufacturing engineer for 34 years. He also wants to get a new truck since he says his current car is "falling apart." Smith joked that she'd like a massage.

"Of course, we're going to take care of family," she said, though they chose not to reveal whether they have any children.

The winners in Tennessee, John and Lisa Robinson, came forward shortly after the winning numbers were drawn in January. They chose to take the lump sum payout of $328 million before taxes.

The California winner has yet to come forward.

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