Man Wins $650K Lottery Prize Using Numbers Honoring Late Wife: ‘It Felt Like a Message from Her’

Mar. 15, 2025

Lottery winner Big Money D.Photo:Illinois Lottery

Illinois Lottery

A Chicago man honored his late wife while playing the lottery and ended up winning a $650,000 prize.The lucky winner, identified as Big Money D, won the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot drawing on Nov. 16, after matching all five numbers – which were 9-11-12-13-17, according to theIllinois Lottery.“I’m still so shocked and excited about the win, I have barely been able to sleep,” he told lottery officials.Lucky Day Lotto ticket.Illinoise Lottery“I typically play Pick 4 but that day, I noticed that the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot was pretty high so I decided to switch it up and try something new,” the winner said.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The win held extra special significance because the man said that the numbers he picked had to do with his late wife. “When I won, it felt like it was a message from her," he added.The man told lottery officials that he has big plans ahead for how he plans to spend his newfound fortune.“I’m already looking at houses, and can’t wait to purchase my dream home for myself and my kids – it truly is a dream come true,” he said.The winning ticket was sold at Mariano’s on North Sheridan in Chicago, which will also receive a $6,500 prize, lottery officials said.

A Chicago man honored his late wife while playing the lottery and ended up winning a $650,000 prize.

The lucky winner, identified as Big Money D, won the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot drawing on Nov. 16, after matching all five numbers – which were 9-11-12-13-17, according to theIllinois Lottery.

“I’m still so shocked and excited about the win, I have barely been able to sleep,” he told lottery officials.

Lucky Day Lotto ticket.Illinoise Lottery

Illinoise Lottery

“I typically play Pick 4 but that day, I noticed that the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot was pretty high so I decided to switch it up and try something new,” the winner said.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The win held extra special significance because the man said that the numbers he picked had to do with his late wife. “When I won, it felt like it was a message from her," he added.

The man told lottery officials that he has big plans ahead for how he plans to spend his newfound fortune.

“I’m already looking at houses, and can’t wait to purchase my dream home for myself and my kids – it truly is a dream come true,” he said.

The winning ticket was sold at Mariano’s on North Sheridan in Chicago, which will also receive a $6,500 prize, lottery officials said.

source: people.com