Husband has news for wife after winning millions in lottery. ‘Time for you to retire’

A man married for 36 years enthusiastically shared life-changing news with his wife after winning a lottery jackpot in Illinois.

“I immediately told her, ‘It’s time for you to retire.’” the winner told Illinois Lottery officials in a Jan. 11 news release. “I’m so happy we can make her dream come true.”

He helped fulfill his wife’s dream as they were watching TV at home on New Year’s Eve. The man said he opened his Illinois Lottery app to play the Fast Play Ultimate Diamond Jackpot game but became distracted while their show was on.

Next thing he knew, the man looked at his phone and saw he had won $2,661,339.

“When I realized I won the jackpot, my jaw dropped and I gasped. My wife looked at me and asked, ‘Are you okay? What’s wrong?’” the winner said. “I told her we hit the jackpot. She simply said, ‘Yeah, right,’ but then I showed her my phone as the prize amount popped up on the screen — she couldn’t believe it. We are still both in shock and disbelief!”

Ultimate Diamond Jackpot is a $30 game that features a progressive jackpot. It continues to climb until the jackpot is won.

In October, a woman won $1.35 million in the game, McClatchy News reported. That was followed by a $5.75 million win in November, a win that was the largest Fast Play jackpot prize in U.S. history.

The winner said he and his wife were high school sweethearts and have been working for most of their marriage.

He called the win “meant to be,” telling his wife it’s time for her to “enjoy life and pursue your dreams.”

“It feels so exciting, although I am still in shock and the reality of the win hasn’t sunk in just yet,” his wife said. “I’m looking forward to enjoying time at our lake house, spending more time with our children and grandkids, and trying out some new hobbies.”

This story was originally published January 13, 2025 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Husband has news for wife after winning millions in lottery. ‘Time for you to retire’."