5 Shocking Stories: Pennsylvania Women Who Won—And Lost—Millions In The Lottery
The dream of a life-changing jackpot is a universal fantasy, but for a handful of Pennsylvania women, that dream became a stunning, and sometimes heartbreaking, reality in the last year. As of December 22, 2025, the Pennsylvania Lottery has produced some of the most dramatic and unforgettable winner stories in recent memory, ranging from a breast cancer survivor's monumental $2 million online win to the agonizing tale of a woman who lost her $2.5 million winning ticket in a charitable donation.
These recent Pennsylvania Lottery winners showcase the unpredictable nature of sudden wealth, proving that a single scratch-off ticket or a few clicks online can instantly alter a life's trajectory. From grandmothers to single mothers, these are the current, unique, and most talked-about stories of incredible luck—and crushing misfortune—from the Keystone State.
Recent Pennsylvania Lottery Winners: Full Profiles and Game Details
The following profiles detail the most compelling and recent major lottery winners from across Pennsylvania, providing a look into their lives, the games they played, and the stunning amounts they claimed.
- Name: Nicole Walter
- Age: 42
- County: Warren County, PA
- Prize Amount: $2,021,096.49
- Lottery Game: MONOPOLY Progressive Jackpot (Online Instant Game)
- Date of Win Announcement: August 13, 2024
- Key Detail: Breast cancer survivor and proud grandmother of 10.
- Plans for Winnings: Home renovation.
- Name: Mildred Simoneriluto
- Age: 76
- County: Allegheny County (Murrysville/Monroeville), PA
- Prize Amount: $2.5 Million (Unclaimed/Lost)
- Lottery Game: Cash 5
- Date of Ticket Purchase: May 2024
- Key Detail: Accidentally lost the winning ticket in a jacket donated to charity.
- Resolution: The ticket's fate remains a dramatic mystery, highlighting the importance of securing a winning ticket.
- Name: Brittnee Boot
- Age: 31
- County: Fayette County, PA
- Prize Amount: $1 Million
- Lottery Game: "$1,000,000 Winnings" Scratch-Off
- Date of Win: March 19, 2024
- Key Detail: Working single mother of three young children.
- Purchase Location: Foster House II in Belle Vernon, PA.
The $2 Million Triumph: Nicole Walter's Story of Hope
Nicole Walter’s incredible win is a true testament to resilience and unexpected fortune. The 42-year-old Warren County resident, a breast cancer survivor and a proud grandmother to ten grandchildren, hit a monumental jackpot while playing an online game.
Her winning moment came from the MONOPOLY Progressive Jackpot, one of the Pennsylvania Lottery’s popular online Instant Games. The total prize amount she claimed was a staggering $2,021,096.49, marking one of the largest online wins in the state's history.
Walter's story quickly became a media sensation, offering a powerful, positive narrative. Her plans for the money are grounded and family-focused: she intends to use the substantial winnings to complete a much-needed renovation on her home, securing a better future for her large family.
This win highlights a growing trend in the state—the massive jackpots available through the Pennsylvania Lottery’s digital platform, which allows players to participate from the convenience of their phones or computers. The presentation of her commemorative check in Erie, PA, by Lottery officials solidified her status as a record-breaking winner.
The Agony of Loss: Mildred Simoneriluto's $2.5 Million Heartbreak
Perhaps the most compelling and tragic Pennsylvania lottery story of the current year belongs to 76-year-old Mildred Simoneriluto. Her tale is a cautionary one that has captured national attention and fueled intense curiosity about the fate of her ticket.
In May 2024, Simoneriluto purchased a Cash 5 ticket at a grocery store in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. The numbers she played matched the winning draw, securing a life-changing jackpot of $2.5 million.
However, the joy was immediately replaced by sheer anguish. Simoneriluto realized she had accidentally left the winning ticket in the pocket of a jacket she had recently donated to a local charity. This devastating mistake put her on a ticking clock, as the Pennsylvania Lottery has strict claim deadlines.
The search for the "Jacket Jackpot" became a dramatic local effort, but as of the latest reports, the ticket remains lost and the prize unclaimed. This story serves as a stark reminder to every lottery player: the moment you purchase a ticket, it is a valuable financial instrument that must be signed and secured immediately. The potential loss of $2.5 million due to a simple oversight is a dramatic entity that has become synonymous with the 2024 Pennsylvania Lottery narrative.
A Single Mother’s Fortune: Brittnee Boot’s $1 Million Scratch-Off
The power of the scratch-off ticket was demonstrated by Fayette County's Brittnee Boot. The 31-year-old single mother of three young children was leaving a dinner at Foster House II in Belle Vernon when she decided to purchase a "$1,000,000 Winnings" scratch-off ticket.
Her impulsive purchase on March 19, 2024, resulted in a $1 million prize, a monumental sum that has provided instant financial security for her family. As a working mom, the winnings offer a profound shift from daily financial struggles to a future filled with opportunity for her children.
Brittnee Boot's story is a classic lottery success, emphasizing that a small, spontaneous decision can lead to enormous wealth. The presentation of her check by Deputy Executive Director of Sales & Retail Operations Eric Grubbs highlighted the local impact of the Pennsylvania Lottery's prize payouts.
The Expanding Landscape of Pennsylvania Lottery Wins
Beyond the multi-million dollar jackpots, the Pennsylvania Lottery continues to produce unique and life-altering prizes across the state, adding to its topical authority and reach. The games are varied, providing numerous pathways to winning big.
From Cash to Car: Unique PA Lottery Prizes
Not every major win is a cash prize. In Allegheny County, another fortunate woman recently won a brand-new 2024 Ford Bronco through a Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off game. This type of prize, which includes luxury vehicles, showcases the diversity in the lottery's prize structure, appealing to a broader audience than just those chasing a massive cash payout.
Furthermore, the online Instant Games, such as the MONOPOLY Progressive Jackpot that Nicole Walter won, are becoming increasingly popular. These games offer dynamic, growing jackpots and the convenience of playing from anywhere in the state, contributing significantly to the overall lottery ecosystem. The ease of access means that players like Walter, who might not frequent a convenience store, can still participate and win record-breaking amounts.
Securing Your Fortune: Lessons from Recent Winners
The recent stories of Pennsylvania lottery winners offer crucial lessons for anyone who plays. The most important takeaway comes from the unfortunate saga of Mildred Simoneriluto. Every Pennsylvania Lottery official stresses the same point: sign the back of your ticket immediately.
A signed ticket is proof of ownership, which is essential for claiming a prize, especially when dealing with the Pennsylvania Lottery's strict claim deadlines. Whether you are playing a traditional draw game like Cash 5 or a popular scratch-off like the $1,000,000 Winnings ticket, securing your ticket is the final, non-negotiable step to turning a potential fortune into a confirmed reality. The dramatic losses and incredible wins of these Pennsylvania women serve as a captivating reminder of the high stakes involved in the pursuit of the lottery dream.
Detail Author:
- Name : Immanuel McDermott
- Username : angelita.donnelly
- Email : liana.windler@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 1999-05-09
- Address : 59931 Marta Court Apt. 712 Lavadatown, PA 88094-4616
- Phone : 1-463-657-3478
- Company : Walter, Rempel and Gutmann
- Job : Precision Aircraft Systems Assemblers
- Bio : Vel ut labore et quisquam quae dolorem aliquam. Qui minima ut praesentium molestiae. Voluptas est aspernatur iure at. Voluptatum voluptas nisi at saepe reprehenderit necessitatibus ab veritatis.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/medhurst2019
- username : medhurst2019
- bio : Ea possimus ea laboriosam mollitia odio. Non sit sit natus ducimus error qui. Velit dolor voluptatibus veniam ut repellendus.
- followers : 6125
- following : 2326
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/cmedhurst
- username : cmedhurst
- bio : Distinctio assumenda officia vel ut quo. Id est aspernatur voluptas dolorem facere aut quidem.
- followers : 5369
- following : 1758
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/chelsey_medhurst
- username : chelsey_medhurst
- bio : Natus ad consectetur laudantium quo et eum.
- followers : 3673
- following : 612
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/chelsey_medhurst
- username : chelsey_medhurst
- bio : Error aut dolorem facilis fugit maiores. Et exercitationem illum voluptatem.
- followers : 6003
- following : 351
