An anonymous lottery winner who secured a huge $1.35billion (£1.09billion) fortune will only take home less than half of the winnings. The winner, from Maine, won the fourth-largest lottery jackpot in US history on January 13. However, they chose to remain anonymous after winning the life-changing sum, also opting to receive their cash in a lump payment rather than staggered over 29 years.
The fortune has also been heavily taxed, meaning the anonymous winner will actually take home $498million (£401million).
After deductions, $173.6million (£139.9million) will go to the federal government while $51million (£41.1million) will go to the state of Maine.
The lucky winner purchased their winning ticket from Hometown Gas & Grill petrol station in the town of Lebanon.
Michael Boardman, deputy director of Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operation, told the Associated Press it is understandable that the winner wants to remain anonymous.
He said: “I understand why someone would want to remain anonymous with this kind of money.
“We wish them well and hope they do good things with it.”
A spokesperson for LaKoma Island Investments LLC — a limited liability company that distributed the winnings — said: “The winner is thoughtfully considering the best uses of the life-changing prize.”
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