Multi-millionaire lottery winner requests acquisition of a lawn mower
In a surprising turn of events, an anonymous resident from Burgess, Virginia, has claimed the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the state. The winning ticket, worth a staggering $348 million (with a cash option of $155.5 million), was purchased at E & C Mid Atlantic and matched all six winning numbers in the June 27, 2025 drawing: 18-21-29-42-50 and the Mega Ball number 2.
Under new Virginia law, the winner has chosen to remain anonymous, joining the ranks of other lucky individuals who have opted for privacy with prizes over $1 million.
The jackpot win is a significant milestone for the Virginia Lottery, marking the 10th Mega Millions jackpot won in the commonwealth since the game began in 2002. This victory also contributed about 10% to Virginia's total K-12 school budget for the year, further emphasizing the impact of the Virginia Lottery on education.
In the fiscal year 2025, the Virginia Lottery raised more than $901 million for K-12 education, a testament to the importance of the lottery in funding educational programmes across the state. However, the Virginia Lottery has not disclosed the location where the winning ticket was purchased.
The winner, who visited the Virginia Lottery official headquarters in Richmond, has opted for a one-time cash option of $155.6 million before taxes. Contrary to typical expectations, the winner plans to use the winnings to buy a zero-radius riding lawn mower, rather than splurging on luxury items like a new house, car, or vacation.
The Mega Millions jackpot of $348 million was the largest lottery prize ever awarded in Virginia, surpassing the previous record of $220 million won in 2018. As the Virginia Lottery will not publicly disclose the winner's identity, the details of how the funds will be managed and spent will remain a mystery for now.
However, it is clear that this anonymous winner has chosen an unconventional path with their winnings, opting for a practical purchase rather than lavish indulgences. The impact of their decision on the local community and the future of K-12 education in Virginia remains to be seen.
The winner of the $348 million Mega Millions jackpot, instead of investing in a home-and-garden of luxury houses, cars, or vacations, plans to utilise the cash option for a more practical purchase – a zero-radius riding lawn mower. On the other hand, the winner's decision to keep their identity private under new Virginia law has left the specifics of their lifestyle and how the funds will be managed and spent a mystery.
