One Powerball player in Michigan started the New Year with a bang on Monday, winning the fifth-largest jackpot in Powerball history.
This was the first time in the history of Powerball that a jackpot was won on New Year’s Day. Monday’s win was the 35th consecutive drawing since the last winning jackpot was drawn in mid-October.
A surge in lottery ticket purchases by people seemingly feeling optimistic about the new year ahead drove the Powerball jackpot beyond its original estimated annuitized value of $810 million to $842.4 million. The lump-sum value of the prize is $425.2 million.
“What an incredible beginning to the New Year for Powerball!” said Drew Svitko, Powerball Product Group Chair. “In addition to our big jackpot winner, there are hundreds of good causes supported by U.S. lotteries that will receive further funding from this jackpot run. Thank you to our players for making this possible! Happy New Year!”
The winning ticket was purchased at the Food Castle in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The identity of the person who purchased the ticket is unknown until they come forward to claim the prize, but many choose to remain anonymous.
With nine ways to win prizes in the Powerball lottery, there were 1.8 million winning tickets nationwide, with a combined cash value for the lower-tier prizes of $22.7 million. Four tickets, sold in California, Connecticut, Florida, and Maryland, matched all five white balls to win $1 million. Two players, one in Texas and another in Florida, matched all five white balls and added the Power Play option to their tickets, winning them $2 million each. Another seven players won $150,000, and 42 players each won $50,000.
However, it is hard to imagine that any of the winners could be more excited than Pamela Bradshaw of North Carolina, who became the first millionaire winner of 2024 during the Dick Clark New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest broadcast. Bradshaw, along with four other finalists in the “Powerball First Millionaire of the Year” promotion, won a VIP trip for two to New York City to ring in the new year on the TV show and participate in the live drawing for $1 million.
When Bradshaw’s number was chosen as the winner, she began jumping up and down and then fell over on the stage. After she was helped back to her feet, she grabbed the show host and began covering him with kisses.
The time is finally here… ?
Our Powerball First Millionaire of the Year is…
Pamela Bradshaw from North Carolina! #PowerballRockinEve #RockinEve pic.twitter.com/2FcQXhWr0A
— New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (@RockinEve) January 1, 2024
“Thank you, God. I am so blessed!” she said when she was finally able to speak.
