When Gloria C. Mackenzie claimed her $590.5 million Powerball jackpot, she released a
statement revealing that another woman "was kind enough" to
allow her to cut in line when she purchased the winning ticket.
That woman, Mindy Crandell, 34, is not upset that her charitable
gesture likely cost her an enormous fortune and says "things are
meant to be for a reason."
Crandell, of Zephyrhills, Fla., was in line to purchase lottery
tickets in Publix on May 18 while tending to one of her two daughters
when Mackenzie, 84, stepped in front of her.
"My 10-year-old said, 'Mom, There's a lady in front of us.' I
noticed that the lady was there. Didn't pay a lot of mind to it,"
Crandall said.
The lady at the counter stopped Mackenzie to allow Crandell to
reclaim her spot in line. Crandell declined the offer and told
Mackenzie "go ahead. " It was a move that could have
potentially cost the Crandells the
$590.5 million Powerball ticket. Mackenzie purchased one
Quick Pick ticket and left the store.
Crandell said family and friends began teasing her that the lady
she allowed to cut in line was going to win the mega jackpot. But
Crandell thought there was no way the lady was going to be the
winner.
"The joke was, that's the lady that's going to win it. I was
like, 'Yeah right. No one is going to win from little Zephyrhills,'"
Crandell said.
Later that night, Mackenzie matched all five numbers including the
Powerball while Crandell was at home still being teased by family
members that the lady in the line was probably the winner. It was a
joke that she would endure for the next two weeks.
When Mackenzie claimed the money on Wednesday, Crandell's
10-year-old daughter, Mallory, immediately recognized her from
Publix.
"My daughter was like, 'Mom, look at the lady,'"
Crandell said. "Same day, same store. What's the chances of that
happening?"
Mackenzie has not disclosed her plans for the money. In a
statement to ABC News, William P. Brant, Mackenzie's attorney, denied
requests for an interview and said the family wants to "maintain
their privacy."
Mackenzie has opted for the lump sum cash payout of $370.8
million, before taxes, instead of 30 annual payments of $19 million,
a lottery official said.
That the first mistake Mackenzie has made. Taking the annual payment would have guaranteed she remains a millionaire for at least 30 years. Now she will most likely join the other Lottery winners who just after 5 years went broke.
The trick to remaining rich is to take the annual payment, at least you are guaranteed of money every year. The majority of people who have gone for the one-off payment have ended up broke.
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