We all hear about lottery winners who squander the opportunities afforded by a large win, by either spending the money frivolously, or getting into bad investments, or getting swindled by advisers.
Have there been any winners who have been exceptionally successful with their winnings? By this I mean, have they used the money to become successful by starting a business, or making shrewd investments? Were any able to beat the amount they would have gotten by annuity (in a lump sum situation)? Have any started a charitable trust that actually provides significant resources?
I suppose this would not include people who were already relatively well off before the win. There were a couple winners who were successful businesspeople, so they may already have the experience to remain wealthy.
I can’t seem to google it, but a few months ago, there was a show on Discovery Channel (or one of its spinoffs) that featured lottery winners that weren’t screwing up their lives. They seemed like fairly regular folks. Each was engaged in their hobby/passion with their winnings and had some nice houses, etc., but weren’t very extravagant. There was a guy who’s wife won and he collects hot rods; a young guy who won who is starting his own movie company, a couple of gay postal workers who seem to juut kind of hang out in the sweet (though not too outrageous) digs.
So not everyone who wins turns out like Jack Whitaker.
