Shop owner Joe Chahayed became an instant millionaire after he sold the winning $2.04 billion Powerball ticket and was given the $1 million Powerball Bonus.
The grandfather of 10 emigrated to the U.S. from Syria in the 1980s, and has operated Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, northeast of Los Angeles, according to CBS News.
“I’m very surprised. Very excited. Very happy,” said Chahayed while wearing a lottery shirt and hat. He went on to say he was planning to spend his new fortune on his five children and will be donating some of his lottery winnings to charity, according to CBS News.
Wat ga je doen met het geld, Joe? Ik wil het delen met de familie. Met iedereen die het nodig heeft. Mijn kinderen, kleinkinderen …. annnnnd it’s gone 💸💸💸💸 https://t.co/nqp4jHbK8C
— Marcel Kleinsma (@MKleinsma) November 9, 2022
Chahayed doesn’t know who the big Powerball winner is, but he hopes he sold it to someone from the local community.
“I wish I knew the person but most people who buy tickets from me are from the neighborhood,” Chahayed said. “I hope one of them will be the winner.”
The new millionaire was also excited about the timing of his big win.
“My son is expecting a baby in two months, so we are excited!” Chahayed said, according to CBS. “We can have a nice celebration for another baby. I have 10 grandchildren.”
Chahayed immigrated from Syria with his wife and their two children, and he recalled only having $14,000 to his name when he entered the country, according to CBS. (RELATED: Woman Wins Lottery, Realizes She Threw Coffee-Stained Ticket In Trash Already)
The $2 billion Powerball ticket was sold by Joe Chahayed, who is the father-in-law to former NFL veteran nose tackle Domata Peko. Chayayed owns the store where the ticket was bought in Altadena, Calif. and will receive $1 million. pic.twitter.com/Ks8lrWBZLm
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 8, 2022
He worked hard to open his shop and maintain his own business.
“I never collect welfare, I never collect Medicare, I never collect any money from the government,” Chahayed said.
“All what I do, I work hard, seven days a week. I raised my kids, graduated from the college and bought a house and I bought a business all because I work hard and become an honest man,” Chahayed said, according to CBS.
Chahayed’s son is elated about his father’s win. “Seventy-five years old, and he refuses to take a day off… He’s up at like 5 a.m. every day. No one deserves it as much as he does,” Danny said. He has encouraged his father to retire since the big win, according to Fortune.
The ticket he sold was the largest lottery jackpot to ever be won.