Winner of $1.2 billion California lottery unveiled publicly
Article:
Breaking news, folks! The champ Bruno da Jackpot has been unmasked – Rosemary Casarotti is the lucky gal who bagged a whopping $1.2bn from the Mega Millions draw in California last December 27th. This massive payout ranks as the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot egg ever laid and the ninth-biggest lotto win in the good ol' USA.
Casarotti pulled out a cool $571m from the pot after shelling out a bit for the taxes, passing on the option to get a bigger sum over 29 years. It seems she'd prefer a lump sum to a steady cheque – fair play to her!
Now, here's the twist – ever the private peach, Casarotti ain't feeling the spotlight. California Lottery tried to get her on the phone for a quick chat, but she's as tight-lipped as a clam. She was grateful and pleased about the win, but that's pretty much all we got from her.
Casarotti's winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, with a 6 for the Mega Ball. The magic ticket was found at a Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K in Cottonwood, California. Amazingly, that store got a slice of the pie for selling the ticket.
With the winning ticket in hand, the California Lottery raised a cool $89.5m for public schools.
(*Image credit: Unsplash.com*)
Behind the headlines:
Rosemary Casarotti pocketed a whopping $1.269 billion from the Mega Millions jackpot draw on December 27, 2024, having purchased her winning ticket at a Circle K in Cottonwood, California[3][4]. Her win, the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever claimed, lands it the ninth-largest win in U.S. lottery history[3][5].
To remain incognito, Casarotti declined the press conference announcing her win, allowing herself to be identified only by her name under California law[3][6]. Despite this, she expressed her gratitude during a private call with the California Lottery[3][6]. California law affords winners anonymity beyond name disclosure, yet specific reasons for Casarotti's privacy preference were not disclosed – common motivations for lottery winners include safety concerns and avoiding unwanted attention[3][6].
Key Takeaways:
- Winning Amount: $1.269 billion
- Winning Ticket Location: Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K, Cottonwood, California
- Public Appearances: Limited to name disclosure due to California privacy laws
- Rosemary Casarotti, the new jackpot champion, fetched a staggering $1.2bn from the Mega Millions draw in California, making it the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot and the ninth-biggest lotto win in the United States.
- Despite the big-wins and publicity that comes with winning such a substantial amount, Casarotti has chosen to remain private, declining offers for interviews or press conferences after her identity was disclosed under California law.
- Casarotti's winning numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and a Mega Ball 6, with the magic ticket found at a Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K in Cottonwood, California – a store that pocketed a generous slice of the $89.5m raised for public schools through the lottery.
- Rosemary Casarotti, the elusive jackpot winner, preferred a lump sum payment of $571m after taxes, instead of a steady check over 29 years, distancing herself from the limelight that often follows big-wins in casino-and-gambling and lotteries.
