Yanira Álvarez was the lucky player who won the 1,080 million Powerball jackpot from the July 19, 2023 draw. The woman matched the winning numbers and became an overnight millionaire. Eight months after her incredible stroke of luck, her identity was finally revealed, sparking curiosity about the numbers that changed her life forever.
The fortunate winner, described as “a hundred percent Latin lady” by Angelica Menjivar, stepdaughter of the owners of the minimarket where the winning ticket was sold, chose to remain low-key and declined to make any public statements regarding her big win.
Despite her desire for privacy, lottery rules meant that Yanira Álvarez’s identity had to be disclosed to the public. She had the option to receive the full prize in annual payments over 29 years or in a lump sum of 558.1 million dollars, after taxes and donations.
California Lottery Director Harjinder K. Shergill Chima expressed gratitude to the players for their support in funding California public schools through ticket sales.
Yanira Álvarez’s winning numbers in the July 19, 2023 Powerball draw were revealed to be 7 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 24, with the red Powerball number 24.
The winning ticket was purchased at Las Palmitas Mini Market in Los Angeles, California, owned by Maria Menjivar. The store, located in the Fashion District, has been operating since 2017.
The jackpot had been building for 39 drawings leading up to Yanira Álvarez’s win, making it the seventh largest in lottery history. Interestingly, this win marked the first time in California that two consecutive jackpot-winning tickets were sold.
Powerball, a popular multinational lottery game that originated in the United States in 1988, is played in 44 US states, as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
To play Powerball, participants must choose five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one additional number, the Powerball, from 1 to 26. Players can select their numbers manually or opt for the quick pick feature for random selection.
In addition to Powerball, other popular US lotteries include Mega Millions, the California Lottery, New York Lotto, and the Florida Lotto.