Once homeless, California woman now worth millions after lottery win, officials say

A woman who used to experience homelessness just became a millionaire after picking a scratch-off ticket with her eyes closed, California Lottery officials said.

Lucia Forseth was at the Walmart Supercenter in Pittsburg getting an oil change done on her car when she decided to buy the instant ticket, according to a May 3 news release. She had no idea she was about to win $5 million.

“I only bought one ticket,” Forseth told lottery officials. “I closed my eyes and picked that one, and it won! I first thought I’d won a free ticket, but I checked, and it said I won $5 million!”

Forseth said buying a “ticket called 2023 has deep meaning” for her, according to the release.

“Six years ago, I was homeless. This year I am getting married, getting my associate degree, and won $5 million,” Forseth said. “You never think you have a chance to win it. It is just random. Being homeless just six years ago, I never thought it would happen to someone like me.”

The lucky woman plans to put some of the money toward buying a house and investing the rest, the release said.

Pittsburg is about 40 miles northeast of San Francisco.