Edwin Castro, who won the largest lottery prize in U.S. history, has faced two turbulent years since claiming his $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot.
Castro, who purchased the winning ticket in November 2022 at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California, accepted the prize as a one-time lump sum of $997.6 million. Though initially “shocked and ecstatic,” his life quickly took a turn.
California lottery officials publicly identified Castro as the winner. Despite his desire to remain private, his sudden wealth attracted public attention — and legal trouble.
Soon after, Los Angeles gardener Jose Rivera filed a lawsuit, claiming the ticket was stolen from him before the draw. Rivera alleged he regularly played the winning numbers — 10, 33, 41, 47, 56, and Powerball 10 — and had signed the ticket before it was taken by his former landlord, Urachi “Reggie” Romero. Rivera, who failed to provide solid proof, changed legal representation multiple times before choosing to represent himself.
Romero, also named in the suit, did not respond to the court or hire legal counsel. California Lottery officials stood by Castro, insisting their vetting process confirmed he was the rightful winner.
Alongside the legal battle, Castro’s post-jackpot life has been marked by other setbacks. One of his luxury homes was destroyed in the 2023 Los Angeles wildfires. Additionally, reports surfaced alleging some of his cousins were linked to a white-collar crime investigation.
Despite the controversies, Castro has used his winnings to invest in high-end properties and luxury cars. A source told the New York Post that he believed “God guided” him to the win, saying Castro would “be a good steward” of the money and help others.But as his story shows, life after a lottery windfall can come with unexpected challenges.
