Winners of the sixth-largest American Powerball prize ever awarded have finally come forward. The winners have waited since the beginning of January to claim their prize and are being very deliberate about keeping themselves out of the spotlight.
The Jackpot of $842 Million has been awarded to The Breakfast Club – comprised of an unnamed couple and Mark Harder, an attorney who was present at a June 2024 check ceremony that took place in Grand Blanc Township in Michigan where the ticket was sold.
Michigan Law requires winners of multi-state lotteries to be publicly identified. But members of a lottery club are able to maintain their anonymity.
Given the option of being paid annually over 30 years or taking a cash lump-sum payment, The Breakfast Club chose the latter. The total payout amounted to $305 million after taxes.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Food Castle of Grand Blanc, located at 3035 East Grand Blanc Road in Grand Blanc.
Suzanna Shkreli, Michigan Lottery Commissioner announced “On January 1st, 2024, a very lucky Michigan Lottery winner purchased a Powerball ticket. That purchase would lead to a life-changing event. It is the winning ticket for the amount of $842 million. Today, I’m happy to announce that The Breakfast Club lottery club has claimed that prize.”
Harder provided details and insight about the ticket purchaser and plans for the future.
“As you can imagine, the club members have felt many emotions since realizing their ticket was the one. They’ve been elated and overwhelmed, thrilled and nervous. They’ve gone from shock and sleepless nights to giving careful thought as to how this once-in-a-lifetime event will transform their lives,” Harder said.
The morning after the drawing, the ticket purchaser heard through the news that the winning ticket had been sold in Grand Blanc. He looked up the ticket numbers and was so stunned he dropped his phone.
With their winnings, there are plans to retire earlier than expected, to travel and to share their good fortune with their immediate family and nonprofits close to their hearts.
“This prize will positively affect our family for generations to come,” a club member said. “Up until now, we have led a comfortable life and anticipated retiring someday. Now, we’re not financially bound to a specific timetable. The world – and our opportunities – have opened up in some incredible ways. This has been life changing for us.”
The big winners were not the only ones experiencing an unexpected windfall. Food Castle receives $50,000 in commission for selling the winning ticket. The store’s owners said they will share the entire amount with their employees and donate to food pantries and other charities.
American Powerball is the biggest lottery in the world, awarding more in prizes annually than any other game. International players can play American Powerball at Lotto Express.
