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A recently retired Brampton couple says retirement will be “next level” now that they’ve won a life-changing $70 million Lotto Max jackpot.
Audrey and Wills W., married and originally from Jamaica, say the jackpot means the next phase of their lives will be easier because it means freedom.
“Our family and friends will benefit from this victory. We want to share it and encourage others,” Audrey said.
“The most important thing is that we can live life on our own terms.”
Wills added: “I’ve been working towards retirement and this will be next level.”
Wills gave Audrey a winning Lotto Max quick pick ticket for Mother’s Day, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation said Wednesday.
The ticket was purchased at the Canco One Stop gas station on Steeles Avenue in Brampton and the drawing took place on May 8th.
While celebrating the winner at the OLG Center in Toronto, the couple revealed that they have been playing the lottery with OLG for many years.
According to them, winning the jackpot seems like a dream.
“We came to Canada with nothing. We worked hard, learned to save, and never lived beyond our means. It will take some time to get used to it!” – said Audrey.
Travel tops list, couple says
The couple said they don’t have any plans yet and hope to take it slow, but they have a few aspirations.
They say travel is high on their list, including several cruises and enjoying the Caribbean.
As for Audrey, her aspirations include building a dream home in Jamaica for family and friends to stay during their visits, renovating the kitchen in their Brampton home, and creating a place to come together for home-cooked meals.
“We’ll definitely take advantage of this win,” Audrey said.
As for Wills, his aspirations include purchasing and restoring an antique car.
Wills gave Audrey a winning Lotto Max quick pick ticket for Mother’s Day, according to a press release from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation on Wednesday. (Morgan Kitchen/OLG)
The daughter was convinced that her parents were winners
As for the ticket itself, Audrey said she first found out about their big win when she checked the ticket using the OLG app.
“I saw the winning amount on the screen, turned to Wills and said, ‘Look, it’s $70?’ He looked at it and said: “No, look again, there are still a lot of zeros!”
“When I realized it was $70 million, I was shocked. I had to double check to make sure it was true. That’s when I started jumping up and down on the bed with excitement and then fell to my knees, overcome with joy!”
Hours before Audrey and Wills checked their ticket, their daughter heard a message that the winning Lotto Max ticket had been sold in Brampton and was convinced her parents were the winners.
“When we finally told her the news about the victory, she smiled and said: “I knew it!” – said Audrey.
Wills, however, said he was taking the win in stride, saying: “As long as I have a wife, a nice house and the sun is shining, everything is fine.”
To learn more about the experiences of Black Canadians—from anti-Black racism to success stories in the Black community—visit CBC’s Being Black in Canada project that Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.
