What we know about the $1.34 billion Mega Millions winners, the third-largest jackpot in US history
The third biggest prize pot in lottery history was won by two winners on the same ticket after fears no one would come forward.
The record Mega Millions pot has finally been claimed. Even a month after the draw, the beginning of September, the huge $1.34 billion winning pot had yet to be claimed.
Until now.
Two winners, who agreed to split the winnings before buying the ticket, have come forward. There were worries that the money would never be claimed. This is due to a rule in which the winning ticket has 60 days to reveal itself or there will be another rollover.
They hail from Illinois and are taking the money in a lump-sum payment of $780.5 million.
Illinois lottery officials were the ones to confirm that the billion-dollar ticket was sold at a Speedway gas station and convenience store in Des Plaines, a small city of around 60,000. The city is located roughly 17 miles northwest of Chicago and was the site for most of the filming for 1985 film The Breakfast Club, at the now closed Maine North High School.
“It’s a surreal feeling giving away this amount of money and knowing what a huge impact this is going to make on the winners’ lives, and for others close to them as well,” Illinois Lottery claims manager Luis Rodriguez said. “It was an incredible feeling just to be part of that process – so I can only imagine how the winners themselves are feeling.”