The story of Jack Whittaker, who won the biggest jackpot, and lost everything because of it

There are many cases when a large lottery win did not benefit the lucky one. Usually instant millionaires are ruined by vanity, passion for luxury and extravagance. But the story of the American Andrew Jack Whittaker is special. This man hit the biggest jackpot in history and became a victim of his own generosity.

Andrew Jack Whittaker was born and raised in a provincial town in West Virginia. His family was very poor and his parents did not have not only a car, but also a TV. Even as a child, Jack swore that he would break out of poverty and live with dignity. Everything worked out, and by the age of 55 he became a millionaire. He had everything that a person needs for happiness: construction business, luxury house, beloved wife, daughter and granddaughter.

Everything started to fall apart on Christmas morning in 2002. Jack found out that the Powerball lottery ticket he bought for change at the gas station won $314,900,000. What's wrong with that, you ask? Even for a millionaire, a third of a billion dollars is not an extra amount at all. So thought Whittaker, who did not yet suspect how it would end.

Powerball workers helped the man navigate. The next morning, Jack posed for the press with a huge lottery ticket and gave an interview. The lucky man was confused and when asked by journalists about how he would spend the money, he babbled something about charity and gifts to his daughter and granddaughter.

Mr. Whittaker wasn't lying. As soon as he received the money, he immediately started building two churches in West Virginia. He also founded the Jack Whittaker Charitable Foundation, which helps those in need. There were plenty of those who needed financial assistance. People were coming in an endless stream and everyone had their own sad story.

Jack was asked for money, he was persuaded, begged, demanded of him. It seemed strange to Whittaker, since many people behaved as if he was to blame for their poverty. But he continued to give away money, spending about $ 50 million on it. When the benefactor moderated his ardor and became more picky with help, they began to sue him. This was no longer just about the foundation. Any account, any payment card of Whittaker's company was attacked by clever lawyers.

At home, too, not everything was fine. Relatives were outraged by the waste of money. They were sure that Jack should take care of them first, and not about some ragamuffins from the street. And he cared, but still many felt that this was not enough and accused Whittaker of being stingy.

Jack gave his granddaughter $2,000 each week for pocket expenses. Not feeling the restrictions, the girl was firmly hooked on drugs. Mr. Whittaker himself suffered from loneliness and idleness. Numerous lawsuits forced him to close his business and quarreled with his partners. He didn't even have anyone to drink with at the bar — everyone turned away from the poor guy. Jack started drinking alone.

At first he went to bars, but then he began to be noticed in casinos and strip clubs. Jack went downhill and was rarely seen sober. He was repeatedly involved for drunk driving and paid heavy fines. A year after the ill-fated win, Whittaker came to the police. He said that a bag with half a million dollars was stolen from his car. Of course, the police asked why he was carrying such a sum with him. Jack replied, "Because I can afford it."

It was clear that the man's life was collapsing. But that wasn't all. On December 9, 2004, his granddaughter disappeared. 10 days later, her corpse, wrapped in polyethylene, was found in the parking lot near the supermarket. The autopsy showed that the girl died of a drug overdose. A few years later, Whittaker also lost his daughter — she died under unclear circumstances. And in 2016, there was a fire in his house, which almost completely destroyed it.

Now Jack Whittaker shuns journalists and little is known about him. No one even knows if he has anything left of those ill-fated millions. In his last interview, he said that he regrets that he did not tear up and throw away that unlucky lottery ticket that deprived him of everything.