I’m broke & in debt but won £1million on the Lottery… I’m forced to keep it a secret, my sister will ask for handouts
MOST PEOPLE would be jumping for joy if their family won the Lottery – but it doesn’t always happen.
The Lottery curse is real, and we’ve seen it split up families countless times, which is what one woman is trying to avoid.
Taking to social media, the anonymous woman revealed she and her husband had just won £1million in the Lottery and was ecstatic about the changes it could bring to their lives.
However, despite her excitement, she revealed she didn’t want to share the good news with her loved ones.
She said: “I can’t actually believe I’m writing this but I just won £1m on the lottery!
“My husband and I are finding it very difficult not to share this exciting news with our closest family and friends, but at the same time know that there are just one or two people who might expect us to share this money with them (one being my sister so I can’t tell any of my family without her finding out).”
Clearly, the woman was concerned her sister would expect a hefty handout from her winnings – but the woman had her own financial concerns to worry about.
She added that she knew it was a lot of money but was realistic that after sorting out their debt and paid for a house, there would be little left.
Not only did they want a house which costs around £400,000 in their area, but they also wanted to clear debt, get a car and learn to drive.
The couple also wanted to put some money away for their retirement fund and tick off a few bucket list items.
She asked: “Is there really going to be a whole lot left over?”
“I feel like we can’t NOT tell anyone because everyone knows we’re broke and in debt and would never have afforded to buy a house on our own so it’ll look very odd when suddenly we can,” she explained.
Her partner had suggested they tell people the amount was half of what they actually got – but she wasn’t convinced.
She explained: “I am a terrible liar, I don’t want to lie to people, so I feel like we’ll get caught out here anyway.”
The woman asked if she was being selfish and greedy or right to keep the money a secret.
The thread on Mumsnet has gone viral with hundreds of people commenting and giving their advice.
Many said the woman should hold off telling anybody about the news – and not giving anyone a single penny.
One person wrote: “It’s no one’s business, so you won’t be lying by not telling.”
Another commented: “It’s a life changing amount IF you’re careful and don’t share it. Congrats!”
UK's biggest lottery winners
By Ethan Singh
- Anonymous winner – £195,707,000
A UK ticket-holder scooped the record EuroMillions jackpot of £195 million on July 19 2022 – the biggest National Lottery win of all time.
The holder, who remains anonymous to this day, amassed the fortune with just one lucky ticket.
- Joe and Jess Thwaite – £184,262,899.10
Britain’s previous EuroMillions record holders were Joe and Jess Thwaite.
The couple won a record-breaking £184million jackpot in May 2022 and shared hopes of a Hawaiian holiday and a new horse box for their children’s ponies.
Joe bought his winning ticket online on May 10, 2022, and the following morning received an email with good news.
As he learnt of the huge win, he was in disbelief and initially kept it for himself as he did not want to disturb his wife, who was sleeping.
Joe, a communications sales engineer, and Jess, who runs a hairdressing salon with her sister, have been married for 11 years and have two children.
- Colin and Chris Weir, £161,653,000
Colin and Christine Weir landed the colossal prize money in 2011 and were Europe’s second-biggest winners until someone in Italy won a jackpot worth £193m in 2019.
They splashed the cash at an astounding rate of £100,000 a week before tragedy struck.
But at the time of Colin’s death in December 2019 his share of the prize money had dwindled by around £40m.
He spent the millions living a life of luxury, forking out for sports cars, property and the football club he supported.
Colin and Christine divorced shortly before his death after being married for 38 years.
He left money for their children Carly and Jamie.
- Adrian and Gillian Brayford – £148,600,000
Adrian and Gillian won 190 million euros in a EuroMillions draw in August 2012, which came to just over £148 million.
But Adrian split from Gillian the following year because of the stress of the win.
The couple bought a Grade II listed estate in Cambridgeshire, complete with cinema and billiards room, but it was sold in 2021.
After divorcing in 2013, he failed to woo ex-sausage factory worker Marta Jarosz — but fell for stable girl Sam Burbidge.
She left him in 2017, taking 30 prize horses Adrian bought.
It might have worked out in the end for Adrian though as the former postman was seen smiling with ambulance worker Tracey Biles last year.
- Frances and Patrick Connolly – £114,969,775
Former social worker and teacher Frances set up two charitable foundations after she and her husband hit the jackpot.
They scooped almost £115 million on New Year’s Day 2019.
She estimates that she has already given away £60 million to charitable causes, as well as friends and family.
- Richard and Debbie Nuttall – £61,000,000
The couple from Colne, Lancashire, took home £61 million on January 30 2024.
Both 54, they were enjoying a holiday in Fuerteventura, celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
But they then discovered the big EuroMillions win.
Richard revealed they originally thought they had won £2.60, but then received another email telling the pair to check their account.
Other eye-watering anonymous winners:
- 2019 – £123million
Another anonymous winner scooped up a prize of £123,458,008 in the June Superdraw rollover.
- 2021 – £122million
Following nine rollovers, one ticketholder bagged the £122,550,350 jackpot last April.
The successful participant chose to remain anonymous.
- 2018 – £121million
Another anonymous winner found their fortune during the Superdraw jackpot rollover in April 2018, securing £121,328,187.
“Ah that must feel wonderful. Congratulations. Definitely don’t tell anyone and don’t rush anything,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “The sort of car you should get is sensible, low-key used car, not a brand new SUV.”
“Nobody needs to know you’ve bought the house outright. Say you’ve had a pay rise and got a deposit and mortgage,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “Don’t tell anyone. Don’t give anyone money. They will never stop asking for handouts.”
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.