News writer
It started with the longest jackpot run in Powerball history and ended with one Missouri man holding a ticket worth more money than he ever dreamed possible.
Now, after stepping forward to claim his prize, the record-breaking winner is sharing what life looks like when you suddenly become the state's richest lottery player, and let's just say, his idea of celebrating might surprise you.
Record win in Missouri
It was the longest jackpot run in Powerball history and ended with players in Missouri and Texas splitting the second-largest Powerball jackpot ever, $1.79 billion, on September 6, 2025.
Now, the lucky Missouri winner has stepped forward to claim his prize, which happens to be the largest prize ever won by a Missouri Lottery player. The big winner recently claimed his winnings, telling lottery officials he plans on taking some time off and enjoying this whole experience.
“I'm going to just do me for a year,” the winner said. He is also looking forward to spending more time with his wife, who is also planning on reducing her workload after the big win.
Wife has other plans for him
While the big Powerball winner says that he is a “homebody” and says his “perfect day is sitting at home doing what I do – relaxing,” his wife has other ideas for them. He joked, “She's going to drag me out of town now.”
Now that he has claimed his winnings, the man still can't believe any of this is happening to him. He told lottery officials, “I'm a millionaire, a multi-millionaire, and I'm doing laundry last night…”
The man has also had plenty of sleepless nights between realizing his Powerball ticket was the big jackpot winner and the day he made the trip to lottery headquarters to claim his prize. However, he said, “It's the best problem I've ever had.”
Winning Quick Pick ticket
The record-breaking win came during the September 6 Powerball drawing. The winning numbers for that drawing were 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62, and the Powerball number was 17.
The man purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket from QuikTrip, located at 12100 Lusher Road in St. Louis. For selling the winning ticket, the lucky lottery retailer received a $50,000 bonus from the state lottery.
Of course, this Quick Pick ticket was one of two tickets purchased nationwide to match all six of the numbers drawn that night. They each won approximately $893.5 million before taxes.
When claiming his winnings, the lucky Missouri player had to choose between annuity payments for 30 years or a one-time lump sum payment. He chose the lump sum payment of about $410.3 million before taxes.
Public education wins too
While this man was a big winner during this record 42-drawing jackpot run, it looks like public education in the state of Missouri also won big.
During the record-breaking jackpot run, approximately $16.9 million was raised for Missouri public education.
It also helped lottery retailers in the state, besides QuikTrip, which sold the winning ticket. During that same jackpot run, lottery retailers in the state earned $2.5 million in commissions for selling the game.
Enjoy playing the Missouri Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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