$1.04 Billion Illinois Powerball Winner Has Yet to Claim Jackpot

This billionaire is taking their sweet time coming forward to claim their billion-dollar Powerball prize, and I don't blame them.

If you had the winning ticket to one of the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, would you claim the prize eight away or take time to figure things out in your life before coming forward?

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The winning ticket was sold at Hy-Vee in Quincy, Illinois, after Powerball went 32 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner.  The winning numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67, and 69, with a Powerball 9.

The massive jackpot was worth $1.04B, making it the largest U.S. jackpot of the year at the time.  That is an unbelievable amount, and I couldn't even fathom having that kind of wealth overnight.

I understand why someone might want to take their time before claiming it.  Winning a jackpot that large would completely change your life, and there would be plenty to think about before stepping into that kind of spotlight.  The winner would need to make important financial and legal decisions, and figure out whether they want the cash option or the annuity, and how to protect their privacy.  Luckily, you can stay completely anonymous when you get your giant check at the Illinois Lottery office!

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The odds of winning the Powerball are roughly 1 in 292 million, so this wasn't just a lucky break, it was a very rare event.  Whether they come forward tomorrow or wait until the cut off date, we'll probably never know who actually won.  I wouldn't show my face or reveal my name either!