Yes, Michael Weirsky did win the lottery. Specifically, in March 2019, Weirsky won a $273 million Mega Millions jackpot. His winning ticket was purchased at a QuickChek store in New Jersey. Weirsky’s lottery winnings rank as one of the largest lottery jackpots won by a single person in United States history.
Key Facts About Michael Weirsky’s Lottery Win
Here are some key facts about Michael Weirsky’s Mega Millions jackpot win:
- The winning Mega Millions numbers on March 1, 2019 were 5, 25, 38, 52, 67, with a Mega Ball of 24.
- Weirsky purchased his winning ticket at a QuickChek convenience store in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
- The cash value of Weirsky’s jackpot prize was $162.5 million.
- Weirsky opted to take the lump sum cash payment.
- At the time, it was the 7th largest lottery prize won by a single ticket in U.S. history.
- Weirsky is a resident of Warren County, New Jersey.
- He was unemployed at the time of his big win.
How Weirsky Discovered He Won
Michael Weirsky was completely unaware that he held the winning Mega Millions ticket for 2 days. Here is how the discovery unfolded:
- Weirsky purchased lottery tickets at the QuickChek on March 1, 2019, the night of the Mega Millions drawing.
- He lost the tickets shortly after buying them when they fell out of his pocket.
- The winning ticket was left behind on the QuickChek counter.
- Store manager Phil Campolo found the tickets and put them in a safe.
- Weirsky returned to the QuickChek on March 3, 2019 after realizing he lost his tickets.
- Campolo was able to identify Weirsky as the owner using store video surveillance.
- Weirsky was stunned when the clerks told him his lost ticket was the $273 million winner.
Incredibly, if Weirsky had not returned to the QuickChek, he may have never realized he won the jackpot. The store manager was preparing to turn the unclaimed winning ticket over to lottery officials the following week. Weirsky later stated he often lost lottery tickets in the past, but this was clearly his luckiest loss.
How Weirsky Found Out He Won
Michael Weirsky found out that he had won the $273 Mega Millions jackpot in a rather unbelievable way:
- Weirsky purchased lottery tickets, including a Mega Millions ticket, at a QuickChek store in New Jersey on March 1, 2019.
- He lost the tickets when they fell out of his pocket or hand soon after leaving the store.
- The QuickChek store manager, Phil Campolo, found Weirsky’s tickets on the floor and put them in a safe.
- Two days later, on March 3, Weirsky returned to the QuickChek and spoke to the manager, explaining that he had lost some lottery tickets.
- Campolo was able to review surveillance footage and confirm that Weirsky had purchased tickets and left without them on March 1.
- The manager then told Weirsky the incredible news that one of the lost tickets was the $273 million Mega Millions jackpot winner.
So in summary, Weirsky only realized he had won after the store manager connected him to the lost winning ticket using store surveillance video. Had he not returned to the QuickChek, he may have never known that he was the winner.
Weirsky’s Reaction and Response to Winning
Michael Weirsky understandably had an overwhelmed reaction when he learned that his lost lottery ticket was worth $273 million. According to news reports, when QuickChek clerks informed him that he had won the jackpot prize, Weirsky was in disbelief. He asked the clerks: “Oh my God, you’re kidding me right?”
Weirsky has said that in the moment, he felt shock and happiness. The extreme life-changing implications of the sudden windfall began to sink in over the next few days.
In response to his big lottery win, Weirsky followed the standard procedures to claim the prize:
- He worked with lottery officials to complete paperwork and officially claim his prize.
- He elected to take the lump sum cash option of $162.5 million rather than annual payments over 30 years.
- Weirsky retained legal and financial advisors to help prudently manage his new wealth.
- He held the customary lottery winner press conference when he claimed his prize on March 6, 2019.
Weirsky said that he planned to use his winnings carefully over the long term. He acknowledged being “in shock” over the dramatic impact the huge jackpot would have on his previously modest lifestyle.
How Weirsky Spent and Invested His Winnings
According to news reports after his big win, Michael Weirsky planned to spend and invest his lottery fortune wisely. Some of the ways he intended to use the money included:
- Sharing with family – Weirsky said he would help family members in need.
- Charity donations – He expressed interest in donating to charities and his church.
- Paying bills – Weirsky wanted to pay off any debts.
- Buying a new truck – He said he would shop for a new pickup truck.
- Investing – Weirsky aimed to invest portions of the lump sum conservatively.
- Real estate – He considered purchasing some real estate.
- Travel – Weirsky looked forward to being able to travel more often.
- Home renovation – He planned to renovate and customize his existing home.
In interviews after his win, Weirsky came across as practical and grounded in his plans for the sudden windfall. He did not seem inclined to spend lavishly or make reckless decisions. This measured approach hopefully allowed him to prudently manage his lottery fortune for lasting benefit.
How Winning Changed Weirsky’s Life
Winning nearly $300 million dramatically changed Michael Weirsky’s life circumstances and options. Some of the key ways the huge lottery jackpot transformed his life include:
- Greater financial security – The windfall prize brought lifelong financial security.
- Debt relief – Weirsky could quickly pay off any previous debts.
- Housing options – He gained more housing flexibility, such as renovating or buying another home.
- Job options – The jackpot meant Weirsky no longer needed to work for income.
- Philanthropy – The fortune enabled Weirsky to seriously consider larger-scale charitable giving.
- Family support – Weirsky could provide improved support to family members.
- Travel flexibility – Winning gave Weirsky the time and money to travel widely.
- New experiences – Weirsky’s dramatic change in wealth opened opportunities to experience activities and hobbies he previously could not afford.
Despite the many positive life changes, Weirsky acknowledged in interviews that he expected to face challenges adapting to the overnight windfall. Overall, the record lottery prize clearly represented a major turning point in Weirsky’s life that granted him transformative new opportunities.
Recap of Main Points
Here is a quick recap of the key points regarding Michael Weirsky’s Mega Millions lottery jackpot win:
- Weirsky won $273 million (lump sum of $162.5 million) on a Mega Millions ticket purchased in New Jersey in March 2019.
- He lost the ticket after buying it but was identified as the owner when he returned to the store.
- Manager Phil Campolo used surveillance video to connect Weirsky to the winning ticket.
- Weirsky planned to spend/invest his winnings wisely on things like charity, travel, real estate, and helping family.
- The life-changing windfall meant Weirsky gained great financial security and flexibility.
In summary, Michael Weirsky experienced a remarkable stroke of luck by winning one of the biggest lottery prizes in U.S. history. His “lost ticket” story added further intrigue and drama to an already astonishing outcome.
Statistics on Mega Millions Jackpot Winners
Here are some interesting statistics on Mega Millions lottery jackpot winners:
| Statistic | Number of Winners |
|---|---|
| Mega Millions jackpots won (through October 2022) | 57 |
| Mega Millions jackpot winners in 2022 | 3 |
| Largest Mega Millions jackpot | $1.537 billion (October 2018) |
| Mega Millions winners from New Jersey (through 2022) | 17 |
| Mega Millions jackpots worth over $200 million | 29 |
Some key takeaways from these Mega Millions winner statistics:
- Since Mega Millions began in 2002, there have been 57 jackpot winners through October 2022.
- The largest Mega Millions jackpot was over $1.5 billion in 2018.
- 17 Mega Millions jackpot winners have come from Michael Weirsky’s home state of New Jersey.
- There have been 29 enormous Mega Millions jackpots exceeding $200 million claimed by single winners.
While winning a giant jackpot like Michael Weirsky remains extremely rare, some basic statistics on Mega Millions winners provide helpful perspective.
Mega Millions vs. Powerball Jackpots
Mega Millions and Powerball are the two biggest multi-state lottery games in the United States. Here is a comparison of some key jackpot statistics:
| Statistic | Mega Millions | Powerball |
|---|---|---|
| Started in year | 2002 | 1992 |
| Highest jackpot | $1.537 billion | $1.586 billion |
| Jackpots won (through 2022) | 57 | 40 |
| Odds of winning jackpot | 1 in 302.6 million | 1 in 292.2 million |
The main takeaways when comparing the games:
- Powerball has been around longer, but Mega Millions has had more jackpot winners.
- The highest Mega Millions jackpot remains slightly lower than Powerball’s record.
- Both games have astronomical odds of hitting the big jackpot.
So while winning either jackpot is remarkably rare, Mega Millions has produced somewhat more huge winners compared to Powerball.
Reaction of Local Community to Weirsky’s Win
Michael Weirsky’s lottery jackpot win as a New Jersey resident generated excitement and positive reactions from his local community:
- Many local residents expressed hope that Weirsky’s windfall would benefit the community through philanthropy or stimulus to the local economy.
- Elected officials congratulated Weirsky and highlighted how lottery revenues benefit NJ education and social programs.
- QuickChek store manager Phil Campolo gained local recognition for finding and returning Weirsky’s lost ticket.
- Weirsky’s story gave hope to other local lottery players who dreamed of winning big.
- The feel-good story of an unemployed local man winning a huge prize resonated with the community.
- Friends and acquaintances described Weirsky as a kind, hardworking man deserving of his good fortune.
So in general, Weirsky’s lottery win generated optimism and affirmation throughout his hometown region. His windfall was seen as an uplifting local interest story.
However, some minor criticisms and concerns were expressed:
- A few questioned if Weirsky possessed the financial skills to manage his new wealth.
- Others wondered if money would negatively change Weirsky or cause issues.
- Some felt the lottery win was unfair given the low odds and Weirsky’s previous unemployment.
- A small minority expressed envy or resentment over Weirsky’s sudden fortune.
But these negative reactions seemed limited. Overall, Weirsky’s jackpot win was met with intrigue, celebration, and aspiration from his local community.
Lessons Learned from Weirsky’s Experience
Michael Weirsky’s remarkable Mega Millions lottery saga provides several helpful lessons:
Always Check Lottery Tickets
Weirsky nearly missed out on $273 million by originally losing his winning ticket. Thoroughly checking lottery tickets, like any financial document, prevents potentially costly mistakes.
Maintain Responsible Privacy
Major lottery winners attract lots of attention. Keeping a low public profile and privacy allows time to thoughtfully plan use of new wealth.
Seek Expert Help
Financial advisors, accountants, lawyers, and investment managers provide indispensable guidance managing huge winnings. Their expertise helps avoid missteps.
Think Long Term
Resist temptation to make rushed decisions with windfall wealth. Maintaining a sensible, balanced long-term perspective is critical.
Help Others Generously
Sharing good fortune through charitable giving and community support brings deeper fulfillment. Weirsky seemed to recognize this by pledging donations.
Weirsky’s “lost ticket” saga shows that avoiding potential pitfalls and managing unexpected income responsibly are key steps after hitting a jackpot. His experience provides a relatable, memorable case study for lottery winners worldwide.
Conclusion
Michael Weirsky’s stunning $273 million Mega Millions lottery win in 2019 ranks as one of the biggest jackpot stories ever. Weirsky very nearly lost his chance at the life-changing fortune when he originally misplaced his winning QuickChek ticket. Fortunately for Weirsky, conscientious store manager Phil Campolo found and safely secured the lost ticket. When Weirsky realized his ticket may be unclaimed, he returned to the store. Campolo then delivered the miraculous news that Weirsky’s ticket was the Mega Millions jackpot winner.
Weirsky’s remarkable “lost ticket” saga received national attention. His plans to spend the windfall responsibly also generated goodwill. Weirsky’s jackpot marked the latest in a lineage of outsized Mega Millions and Powerball lottery prizes. His win provided positive inspiration and fueled dreams for players in his New Jersey community and beyond. While encountering some skepticism, Weirsky mostly received affirmation and hope locally.
Michael Weirsky’s stunner Mega Millions win and redemption story offer several prudent lessons. It serves as a compelling reminder to always check lottery tickets closely and manage newfound wealth deliberately. In sum, his extraordinary lottery experience provided a memorable glimpse into the life-altering possibilities and challenges presented by mega jackpot fortunes. Weirsky’s unexpected triumph over long odds offers inspiration that once-in-a-lifetime good luck can strike when least expected.
