News & Trending Money News

The 10 Biggest Lottery Jackpot Winners of All Time

Imagine what it could be like to cash in on a big lottery jackpot.

By Jenny Cohen , Edited by Eric McWhinnie

Updated Sept. 1, 2026

Add Us On Google

Have you ever thought about what you would do if you won a huge lottery jackpot?

Lottery games like Mega Millions and Powerball can give huge payouts to players who have the winning ticket, and it can be fun to dream about how you would spend that money or use it to boost your bank account.

But just how big have the biggest jackpots been? Here are 10 jackpots sure to make you dream about winning the lottery.

Set up direct deposit - pocket $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps.

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.00% APY¹ Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. on savings for up to six months (3.10% APY standard + 0.90% APY boost) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.² New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a> That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26)³ Based on <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/national-rates-and-rate-caps">this</a> FDIC data, as of 6/15/26. national average savings accounts offer.

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

10. $1.08 billion

A Powerball ticket sold on July 19, 2023, in California, included a bit of a mystery when the winner didn't quickly come forward.

Powerball winner Yanira Alvarez finally claimed her prize in March 2024, eight months after the drawing. She opted to take the lump sum payout of more than $500 million before taxes.

Shopping for cheaper auto insurance? Enter your zip code here to get started.

9. $1.13 billion

One lucky person picked the winning numbers for the Mega Millions jackpot on March 26, 2024.

The winner purchased the ticket in New Jersey, one of 18 states where winners can remain anonymous, so residents may never know who bought the ticket in Monmouth County.

If they took the lump sum payout, it would have been $537.5 million, or $408.5 million after federal taxes were automatically withheld.

8. $1.326 billion

A Powerball ticket was sold on April 7, 2024, which made three lucky winners ultra-rich.

The tickets were sold in Oregon, to husband and wife Cheng and Duanpen Saephan and their friend Laiza Chao. They had the opportunity to take the full $1.326 billion as an annuitized prize that pays out over time or take a lump sum payment of $621 million.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.⁴ Please note that all calls with the company may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance and training purposes. Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating. "Debt-Free" applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Results vary.

7. $1.337 billion

Mega Millions found a mega winner on July 29, 2022, with a ticket sold in Illinois for a big payday.

Two people came forward a few months after the drawing to claim the prize for the one winning ticket and split the jackpot. Like New Jersey, Illinois is also a state where winners remain anonymous.

6. $1.348 billion

Maine got its first Mega Millions winner when the winning ticket was sold on January 13, 2023.

The winner came forward a month later to claim the prize using a limited liability company (LLC), as a way to remain anonymous. They chose the lump sum payment of nearly $500 million after taxes.

5. $1.537 billion

When the winner matched all the numbers on their Mega Millions ticket on October 23, 2018, it was the largest Mega Millions jackpot at the time — but that mark has since been eclipsed.

The winner bought the ticket in South Carolina and decided to remain anonymous when they claimed their lump-sum payment, which came to more than $877 million, or about $492 million after federal and state taxes.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

4. $1.586 billion

Sometimes you won't be the only one with the winning numbers, as was the case with the Powerball winners on January 13, 2016.

There were three winners with winning tickets sold in California, Florida, and Tennessee. The odds of winning were one in 292.2 million.

3. $1.602 billion

The winning ticket for the Mega Millions jackpot on August 8, 2023, was sold at a Publix store in Neptune Beach, Florida.

The winner came forward a month later to claim the prize but was able to do so anonymously at the time due to Florida law. They took the lump sum payment of nearly $800 million.

2. $1.765 billion

Powerball struck gold on October 11, 2023, for one ticket sold in California.

Theodorus Struyck came forward six months later to claim the prize for a group of winners. California does not allow winners to get the prize anonymously or through a trust or LLC, but Struyck also hasn't confirmed how many winners he represents including himself.

Earn $100 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card (Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Cardholders can also earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

1. $2.04 billion

A Powerball winner from November 7, 2022, still holds the record for the biggest lottery jackpot.

The ticket was sold in California to Edwin Castro, who opted to take the lump sum payment of $997.6 million rather than the annuitized winnings.

Bottom line

Winning the lottery can be an exciting moment, but it's also important to make sure you can handle the windfall of cash.

You'll want to find ways to get out of debt by paying your bills as well as finding places to save it or invest it so the money can continue to help you in the years ahead.

It's also a good idea to assemble a team of financial lawyers and accountants to ensure you're paying the correct taxes and investing properly.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0 annual fee
Apply Now

Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee
Terms and conditions apply

4.7

Apply Now

on Issuer's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300

Annual Fee

Why we like it