‘Are we millionaires?’ wife asked lottery playing husband. He was ‘hyperventilating’

The term “lucky number” may be an understatement for a Michigan man, who used he and his wife’s favorite two digits to secure a life-changing lottery prize.

The Wayne County lottery player became a jackpot winner of the Michigan Lottery’s 500X Money Maker game when he realized what the next ticket available for purchase at a 7-Eleven in Clinton Township was.

“I went into the store to purchase a few things and saw the 500X Money Maker game, so I asked the clerk what the ticket number was on the next ticket,” the winner told lottery officials. “When she said 14, I told her I’d take it because 14 is my wife and I’s lucky number.”

And boy, was it lucky. The 14th ticket in the stack was a $6 million winner — one of three offered in the game.

“I scratched the ticket off and when I saw I won $6 million, I started hyperventilating,” he said. “I had to take the day off work because I was in a state of shock.”

His wife, though joking, correctly guessed their new fortunes.

“I texted my wife and said: ‘Lucky number 14.’ She jokingly replied: ‘What do you mean? Are we millionaires?’” the winner said. “As soon as I got home, I told her the big news!”

He chose the one-time lump sum payment of about $4.1 million, according to the lottery. Now, he said he plans on starting a business, investing and helping his family.

Clinton Township is about a 25-mile drive northeast from Detroit.

This story was originally published June 24, 2024 at 3:21 PM with the headline "‘Are we millionaires?’ wife asked lottery playing husband. He was ‘hyperventilating’."