A teenager from Canada has won $48 million (CAD) on the first lottery ticket she ever bought. Talk about luck!
Juliette Lamour from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, was announced as the winner of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) lottery on Friday earlier this week.
At just 18, she's become the youngest person in history to win the OLG lottery jackpot.
She had originally bought the ticket soon after celebrating her 18th birthday, on advice from her grandfather, but had completely forgotten about it until she'd heard that someone from her town had won the January 7 draw.
Lamour spoke to Global News about her enviable win, telling the outlet: "I just turned 18 and my grandfather suggested I buy a lottery ticket for fun.
"When I went to the store, I wasn't sure what to ask for because I had never bought a ticket before, so I called my dad who told me to buy a Lotto 6-49 quick pick. I still can't believe I hit the gold ball jackpot on my very first lottery ticket."
The OLGC also stated: "While there have been other 18-year-old lottery winners across Canada in recent years, no one has won as much as Juliette."
When she discovered she won the $48 million ($35.7 million USD), the teen told her colleague at work the news and he reportedly fell to his knees. While her manager said she was allowed to go home at lunch, Lamour's mother hilariously told her to stay back and finish her shift!
As for her plans? Lamour revealed that her financial adviser father is helping her invest the money wisely, but hopes to travel once she finishes her studies.
"Once school is done, my family and I will pick a continent and start exploring. I want to experience different countries, study their history and culture, try their food, and listen to their language. Money doesn't define you. It's the work you do that will define you," she added (via The Guardian).
While winning millions may seem like a dream to most, not every lottery winner has had good experiences. In fact, one woman from Scotland has recently spoken out about winning $1 million in 2013 aged just 17, and how she wouldn't wish the experience "on anyone."
Jane Park told Dr. Phil that she hadn't been ill-prepared for the stalkers, death threats, and negative media attention that came with her win given that she was so young. She then explained that she "splashed out a bit because I never knew the value of a million pounds".
"I'd never seen that kind of money," she continued. "I never knew anyone with that kind of money, so I kind of splashed out on stuff that I've always wanted [...] I wish I'd never won it, I wouldn't wish it on anyone."
Park then described herself as a "young naïve 17-year-old".
