From this morning's news:
A couple in Kentucky won the $65.4 million jackpot in the Powerball lottery in the year 2000. Happy story? Not exactly.
In the 5 years since their 2000 win, according to this article, their life has been full of problems. When they won the jackpot, the couple split the winnings and went their separate ways so each could "fulfill lifelong dreams."
The (now ex-) husband became involved in expensive legal wranglings with a former wife about unpaid child support, and he had "numerous" other run-ins with the law. These included DUI arrests, bar brawls, and lawsuits to reclaim huge sums given to casual acquaintances when he was drunk. He died in 2003, at the age of 45, according to this news article, of "multiple ailments complicated by alcoholism" while living in an elegant replica of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estates.
The (now ex-) wife also had problems. Last December a man was found dead of a drug overdose in her beautiful home overlooking the Ohio River that this lottery winner had bought with some of her winnings. Also, a case is pending in which she is trying to evict the current residents of a second home she had purchased.
The eviction hearing in this case was scheduled for this coming Wednesday; but this "lucky" lottery jackpot winner was found dead, at the age of 51, in her 5,000 square foot, custom-built, geodesic dome home yesterday. She had been dead several days before she was found. No cause of death has been listed until toxicology reports come back. Officials say there were no signs of forced entry.
What a sad story! This couple won a huge amount of money 5 years ago. I am sure they thought it was the beginning of life on Easy Street for them. How could they, a couple in the prime of their lives - in their 40's, possibly know what the next 5 years held for them? There are many sad aspects to this tragedy, but two words keep jumping on the trampoline in my head -- CHOICES ---- VALUES ---- CHOICES --- VALUES
(sorry I could not find a way to link to this story without including my homepage -- I am sure you can find it on the web for reference.)
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Winners?
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3 comments:
Good morning Joan. What a thought provoking post, as usual. We all seem to strugle for money and fame the things money can buy and the acclaim fame can bring... Yet it is so sad that "Power corrupts."
Isn't that sad. You are right though...choices and values. They were probably troubled before the money and the big win just magnified what was already there. Just think of the good they could have done. Instead, greed and jealousy caused them to lose their lives. It is a lesson for all.
Sad story, but I'd still like to have the opportunity to manage that kind of financial hazard!
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