Powerball Record Winner Is 84-Year-Old Woman Gloria Mackenzie
One Florida resident is $590.5 million richer after winning largest Powerball.
June 5, 2013 — -- An elderly Florida woman has claimed the $590 million Powerball bonanza and revealed that she bought the winning ticket when another person waiting to buy a ticket let her jump the line.
Gloria C. Mackenzie, 84, of Zephyrhills, Fla., was named the winner of the largest Powerball jackpot in history, but was not present at the televised press conference.
Florida Lottery officials read a statement from her in which the elderly woman said:
"We bought the winning ticket as a single ticket, even though we bought four other tickets before the drawing. While in line at Publix another lottery player was kind enough to let me go ahead of them in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket.
"We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida jackpot... We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family's benefit," her statement said.
"The winner opted to take the lump sum cash payout of $370.8 million, before taxes, instead of 30 annual payments of $19 million," lottery spokeswoman Cynthia O'Connell said.
Mackenzie came forward with her winning ticket this morning, ending a two week-long mystery of who won the jackpot.
She presented her winning ticket to her local lottery claims center with her son, Scott Mackenzie, financial adviser from Madden Advisory Services in Jacksonville, and a lawyer from Brant, Abraham, Reiter, McCormick & Johnson in Jacksonville.
"This is great excitement for Gloria Mackenzie, her family, and the state of Florida," O'Connell said.
Mackenzie will be joining the exclusive club of 100 people who have become millionaires after winning the massive lottery.
In a statement to ABC News, William P. Brant, Mackenzie's attorney, denied requests for an interview.
"Our clients have asked us to maintain their privacy, therefore we will be making no statement to the media other than the written statement provided to the Lottery, and neither my clients, nor any member of this firm, will be granting interviews," he said.
Mackenzie has not disclosed her immediate plans for the money.
The winning ticket was bought at Publix Supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla., drawn on May 18, and announced on May 19.