Fortune Favored Few Who Fell Into Misfortune
Despite the alluring unforeseen riches that the lottery can bring, becoming a winner is not a promise of financial stability. For some individuals, winning the lottery has turned out to be a double-edged sword that has led to financial strain.
One notable example is Jack Whittaker, who won a record-breaking $$300 million Powerball Jackpot in 2001. At the time, he was a Kentucky businessman who had a moderate income and a wife of 41 years. Initially, his win brought him glory and respect from his community, but his newfound wealth also attracted unwelcome attention. Foreigners begged at his doorstep begging for money, and some even allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted his eldest granddaughter in an attempt to extort money from him.
Whittaker's life soon spiralled out of control as he struggled to adjust to his new reality. He was sued by multiple individuals claiming they had won the jackpot as well, and he was constantly pestered by promoters. His relationships with family and friends deteriorated rapidly as they fought over his wealth, leading to a dramatic decline in his mental health.
Likewise, William Post's life began to fall apart after he won $$17 million in the Pennsylvania fair lottery payouts in 1988. At first, he was thrilled with his fortune and began living a luxurious lifestyle. However, as time passed, his desire for wealth and status consumed him. He made many destructive choices and became embroiled in a divorce proceeding with his estranged wife and his sister, who was appointed as the manager of his trust fund.
Post's world eventually came crashing down when his estranged wife claimed he had cheated on her. He also became embroiled in a conflict over assets with his sister, who accused him of mismanaging funds from his trust fund. Eventually, Post's trust fund was reduced to just $100 thousand due to poor investments.
Another tragic case is that of Albert Shakespeare, who won $17 million in a Florida lottery in 2005. Initially, he donated money to charities for his friends and family, but as his wealth grew, so did his desire for luxury and excess. He began investing in financial schemes, including a real estate venture, but his investments went sour.
In the end, Shakespeare's life was truncated when he was murdered by a woman he had befriended and given a lavish lifestyle for in the years following his win.
The stories of William Post serve as admonitions for the lottery's potential pitfalls. Becoming a winner can bring both financial freedom and social pressure if individuals are not prepared to handle the stress and scrutiny that comes with it. As for the advice given by Bud Post after his win, "winning the lottery is like being run over"