After A Single Mom Won A $188 Million Jackpot, She Found Her Troubles Were Only Just Beginning

When North Carolina resident Marie Holmes won $188 million in the Powerball Lottery, it seemed like all of her troubles were behind her. But she soon discovered that money was not necessarily the answer to life’s problems. A series of poor decisions and personal betrayals landed her in hot water — until Marie saw a glimmer of hope thanks to an unexpected friend.

Cash-strapped

Marie, a single mother in her mid-20s, worked two jobs to provide for her four children. It wasn't always easy, but she balanced her time between shifts at Walmart and Mcdonald's. Then ultimately, she was forced to quit after doctors informed her one of her children had cerebral palsy. It was safe to say Marie could've used a win.

Her one shot

So Marie was living in a trailer, struggling day-to-day to take care of her family, when she gave her mother, Fontella, money to buy her a lottery ticket from a local gas station. And when the winning numbers were announced soon after, Marie was understandably shocked. She later told TV news channel WECT, “I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw the ticket and checked it.”

Two choices

Then Marie was given a choice. She could receive her winnings in one of two ways: $188 million paid out in installments over 30 years, or a smaller lump sum of $127 million (or $88 million, according to some differing reports) paid immediately. Marie knew that decision could make all the difference.

Long-term play

There are, of course, different schools of thought when it comes to Marie’s options. What would you do? Some observers believe that it would be better to take the installments — as you are paid more manageable amounts over a period of time, perhaps discouraging frivolous spending. The installments are also contractually guaranteed and therefore deliver a regular income stream upon which you can always rely.