Jackpot award for 84 years of life

An 84-year-old Florida woman claimed last month's record Powerball jackpot on Wednesday and opted to take a lump-sum payment of nearly $371 million, Florida Lottery officials said.

Winner Gloria MacKenzie of Zephyrhills, central Florida, chose the lump sum rather than collecting $590.5 million in 30 annual payments, Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O'Connell said in a news conference at the state lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.

MacKenzie bought the only $2 ticket that matched all six winning numbers in the May 18 multistate Powerball drawing, making her the largest sole jackpot winner in U.S. lottery history.

MacKenzie wore dark sunglasses and linked arms with her son, Scott MacKenzie, as she walked through a phalanx of cameras facing straight ahead. She left the lottery office without saying anything but left behind a statement to be read by O'Connell.

MacKenzie said she and her son had an agreement to split any winnings. She bought the winning ticket at a Publix grocery store after previously buying four other tickets, her statement said.


/Reuters/