A retired woman experienced an overwhelming mix of emotions when she discovered she was the sole recipient of a $20 million Powerball jackpot on Christmas Day.
The lucky winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, hails from Hackham, located in the southern outskirts of Adelaide. She purchased her winning ticket from the Colonnades Lotto Kiosk on Beach Road.
Her entry was the only one to claim the Division One prize across the nation in draw number 1545.
The fortunate numbers drawn were 7, 23, 29, 20, 11, 16, with 17 as the Powerball number.
She only realized her life-changing win this week after checking her ticket, as she was not enrolled in The Lott Members Club.
She eagerly shared her plans for how she intends to utilize her newfound wealth.
‘There’s a few things that come to mind. Helping my family, but also giving money to some of my favourite charities,’ she told The Lott.
‘A lot of people could do a lot of good with this money. I always like to give where I can, no matter what amount. Now I can give a little more.
Some Australians said loved ones were in a worse position after winning the Powerball draw as money brings out the worst and best in people (stock image)
An unnamed woman from Adelaide’s outer suburb of Hackham won the $20million jackpot in the Powerball draw on Christmas Day (stock image)
‘You dream of it happening, but you just don’t think it will happen to you. It hasn’t sunk in… But I’m starting to get really excited! It’s a good start to 2026!’
The woman said she was left ‘shaking like a leaf’ at the discovery.
‘Honestly, you often wonder what people feel like when they win this much money,’ she said.
‘I had no idea until I checked the ticket just now. It’s been in my purse the whole time, but I had a lot going on this week so hadn’t got around to checking it.’
The life-changing win comes as previous recipients of the jackpot shared the impact the money has had on lives – both good and bad.
The discussion was sparked by a curious person on Reddit who posed the question: ‘Do you know anyone who won the lottery in Australia?’
One man revealed how his own family won the jackpot many years ago and, while it brought financial freedom, it was a ‘double-edged sword’.
‘We never had money, and my family and friends would have been no different to anybody else’s,’ he explained.
She said she would help family and giving some to her favourite charities (stock image)
‘The harsh truth is that money brings out the best and worst in people. It’s good to have, not easy to keep and people come out of the woodwork for a piece of it.
‘While it relieves financial pressure in many ways, it also attracts a bunch of new pressures, and you find yourself worrying about things that never crossed your mind before.
‘Given my own personal experience, if I ever found myself winning a large amount of money, I’d keep it secret – even from family. This, I’d do for everyone’s benefit.’
Another user shared how the parents of one of his friends made a huge mistake investing in a business with the $1million they’d won.
‘Instead of paying out their expensive house and continuing with their decent paying jobs, they quit and bought a popular franchise which eventually sent them broke,’ he explained.
‘I get that they wanted to work for themselves… but they really should have hedged their bets or just paid off the house and coasted through work for a while.’
While a woman shared how an extended family member was able to set themselves up financially after taking home $1.2million in their 20s.
‘They had $2 in their wallet and it was the first time they’d bought a lotto ticket. Set them up nicely. Bought a house, a car and went on a holiday. They did well out of it,’ she said.
Another woman said her mum’s ex-husband’s auntie won her share of $70million in Queensland back in 2013 after joining a syndicate with a group of work colleagues.
‘They each put in some loose change and the rest is history. She was really deserving as her husband was a serial cheater and actually gave her a serious STD that has left her with some health issues – the poor thing,’ she said.
