Retiree Wins $80M Powerball Jackpot, Overcome with Emotion
In a remarkable event, a retiree from Victoria, Australia, has won an astounding $80 million in the Powerball jackpot. He held the only winning ticket for draw number 1552, which took place on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Winning the Jackpot
The winner initially missed multiple attempts from lottery officials to inform him about his life-changing fortune. His phone had been on silent, and the voicemail was full, leading to 10 unsuccessful calls. Once he returned to his phone, he was left in shock upon realizing what had happened.
Emotional Reaction
- Upon finally connecting with officials, he exclaimed, “Oh my god! Are you joking?!”
- He expressed disbelief and tears of joy, stating, “I can’t believe it! Oh my god! I can’t stop crying!”
This windfall comes at a crucial time for the retiree, who shared that his family has recently faced hardships. “If you’ve got good news for me, then it couldn’t have come at a better time,” he remarked.
Plans for the Future
The retiree has modest plans for his newfound wealth, aiming for some much-needed “peace and quiet.” He expressed a desire to travel to Italy, a destination he hasn’t visited since he was 10 years old.
- “You have changed my life,” he told the officials.
- He has long dreamed of returning to Italy.
Powerball Draw Details
The Powerball draw on February 12 featured winning numbers: 20, 30, 21, 18, 11, 14, and 12, with the Powerball number being 7. Aside from the main winner, there were 2,133,319 other winners across divisions two to nine, collectively winning more than $50.04 million. Thirteen winners in division two each received $106,768.70.
This weekend, the excitement continues with a Saturday Lotto boasting a prize of $20 million, followed by a Tuesday Oz Lotto offering $30 million.
