A Kentucky mother and son who regularly play the lottery have claimed the state’s largest Powerball jackpot. The pair plan to use their winnings to pay off debts.
Farthing, a frequent customer at a local convenience store, learned about his multimillion-dollar win from his mother, Linda Grizzle. “I come in here all the time,” Farthing told WKYT. “I’m always buying \[lottery tickets] ‘cause I’m like ‘somebody’s gotta win.’”
Grizzle called her son to share the life-changing news. Together, they returned to the store to show off their winning ticket.
“I would have never dreamed it; it hasn’t sunken in yet,” Grizzle said, according to the Kentucky Lottery.
The winners must now decide between receiving \$167.3 million paid over 30 years or a one-time lump sum of \$77.3 million. Although Farthing bought the ticket, he said he will split the winnings equally with his mother.
“It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” Grizzle said. “This is going to pay off my debt.”
They are working with a financial adviser to determine the best option for their family, the lottery said.
Kentucky has now won Powerball’s top prize 19 times, tying Wisconsin for the fifth-most wins in the country. Georgetown, a suburb of Lexington with about 40,000 residents, has sold the two largest jackpots in state history. The previous biggest winner was Rob Anderson Jr., who won \$128.6 million in 2009.
Kentucky Lottery President Mary Harville praised the win, noting how it ended a generational struggle for the family.
