Lottery Winnings Hell?

Everyone knows that winning the lottery can kill you; whether from crime or wanton excess, lottery winning related death is well known.  But there are just possibly states of existence worse than death. 

Marie Holmes, a 26-year-old single mother of four was working two jobs when she won the lottery.   Holmes had one of three winning tickets, entitling her to receive a third of a $564 million pot,  Her ticket was worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

 Holmes had the choice of either receiving the money as a lump sum ($127 million) or a total installment amount of $188 million. Understandably, Holmes elected the lump sum. 

With the winnings, Holmes planned to make donations to her church, buy a house, and set up college funds for her kids. Unfortunately, included in the expenses would be substantial tax payments. 

Soon after Holmes' windfall, the media began portraying her as a "frivolous and foolish person" based on how she spent her prize money. On top of that, it became difficult for Holmes to keep a low profile.

Holmes, like many of us would in the same situation, began spending lavishly and even began spending money on her boyfriend and his bail, payments which soon exceeded $21 million.  Since winning the lottery, Holmes, herself, had been arrested for possession of marijuana following a search of her house pursuant an arrest of her boyfriend. Holmes and her family, thereafter, fell victim to racism from their mostly white neighbors. 

Compounding Holmes' troubles, her relationship with her local church pastor soon fell prey to greed.  Holmes' Pastor allegedly asked her for $1.5 million "to build a retreat." According to the  Pastor , Marie verbally agreed to give him that $1.5 million. Matthews eventually brought a lawsuit against Holmes for $10 million which represents ten percent (10%) of her winnings.  After all, she originally promised to give to the church. Matthews brought the suit despite Holmes' previous gift of $700,000. 

Eventually, Holmes' had to start paying of her boyfriends mistresses to leave him alone.

Holmes eventually turned to a show on Oprah Network to obtain some financial advice, but that avenue failed as well. 

There is one bright spot in Holmes' story, Holmes persevered and successfully created the Marie Holmes Foundation which helps poverty stricken families. 

Source: Gur Tirosh, "The Disaster of the Big Fat Lottery Win," Living Magazine, last visited March 4, 2021.