You can play the lottery hundreds of times and never win. Or play just once and take home a million-dollar prize.
This is what happened to Juliette Lamour on her first attempt.
The 18-year-old has just won 48 million Canadian dollars (US$35.8 million – more than 166 billion Colombian pesos), making her the youngest Canadian to win such a big prize.
The first thing he did was immediately see a financial adviser. That is, his father.
But while many teenagers suddenly gifted with unimaginable wealth can go crazy, Juliette is intent on keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
As a college student, she plans to finish her degree and become a doctor.
“I was crying. Happy tears, of course,” he said at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation on Friday while celebrating last month’s win.
“I still can’t believe I won the Gold Ball jackpot on my first lottery ticket!”
Juliette, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, said she had completely forgotten about the lottery ticket until she heard the news that someone from her hometown had won the January 7 drawing.
When she went to check her ticket through a mobile app, a jingle started playing and “Big Winner” appeared on the screen.
“My work colleague fell to her knees in disbelief,” Juliette said.
“I was yelling. In fact, everyone was yelling that I won 48 million dollars [canadienses]”.
Her boss told her that she could leave early, but her mother insisted that she stay and finish her shift.
Juliette said she will “carefully” invest most of the prize money with her father’s help.
He plans to invest some of the money to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor without worrying about grants or loans.
He wants to return to northern Ontario to practice medicine and help his community, he said.
Although among his plans, of course, is also to have a little fun.
“Once school is over, my family and I will choose a continent and start exploring,” he said.
“I want to get to know different countries, study their history and culture, taste their food and listen to their language.”
She also hopes to follow some of the advice her loved ones have given her.
“Money doesn’t define you,” he said.
“It’s the work you do that will define you.”
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