Riverside County Father Of Five Wins $180M Mega Millions Jackpot
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — A father of five was introduced Wednesday as the $180 million Mega Millions Jackpot winner.
"I saw the numbers. I scanned it. My eyes like three times and said, 'I got this,'" Rick Knudsen of Riverside County said.
He bought a ticket for $10 for the Aug. 22 draw at a 7-Eleven in Calimesa.
Knudsen said he was feeling lucky because for two days, every purchase he made was an even number.
"I went to a store – it was $6. I went to a restaurant – it was $24. Everything I bought for two days – which was seven different times – everything came back no change, so I just felt lucky," he said.
Knudsen was the only person to match all six numbers (5-31-34-41-74 and Mega number 3) winning him, his wife Lorie and their family $180 million. The couple, who are both in their early 50s, have five children and three grandchildren. They decided to take the lump-sum option and will receive $107 million before federal taxes.
Knudsen has already retired from his job at a roofing company in San Bernardino, where he worked for 35 years.
"We've lived in the same house for like 23 years, so we're gonna step it up and retire," he said.
The couple said they also plan on donating to their church.
After taxes, Knudsen will walk away with an approximately $80 million prize.
Knudsen was the second winner in the Inland Empire this summer after John "Jack" Long won a $60 million Powerball jackpot in Fontana during the July 19 draw.
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