WPBN: Heath, a U.S. Army veteran and retired Long Beach police detective, bought his winning ticket for an August drawing at a Ralphs in Dana Point.
“I’m a very fortunate human being.” After winning the $44.3 million Powerball jackpot that changed his life, Jerry Heath had a message for the California lottery.
Heath, a Cal State Long Beach alumnus (formerly Long Beach State College), claimed to have hailed from a low-income family. According to him, he plays the lottery for enjoyment and to further the overall goal of assisting California’s public education system.
Heath claims that the money won’t alter his current priorities or identity.
“I can’t forget where I came from now that I’m a multimillionaire,” Heath stated. “I don’t really travel; playing the lottery is my only luxury.”
While allowing himself to enjoy the thrill of playing lottery games, he informed lottery officials that he intends to divide the prizes with his daughter and grandchildren.
Before winning the Powerball, he played the lottery every day. Now, he wants to play SuperLotto Plus, a California-only game.
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Heath will seek to follow in Terry Thomas’ footsteps after he won $54 million from a July SuperLotto Plus drawing. The California Lottery stated that Thomas bought her ticket in Woodland.
After Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing, California Lottery players will have the opportunity to join them in the millionaire’s club. Fifteen minutes prior to the 8 p.m. drawing, tickets for the $541 million jackpot go on sale.
