After I won the $20 million Powerball jackpot, my life went “cold” – I thought it would change everything, but I had no chance
A couple who won the lottery were “cursed” by their winnings.
Connie Parker, 74, had been married to her husband Kenneth, 76, for 16 years when she won a $20 million jackpot in 2003.
2
2
To Kenneth’s surprise, he was soon kicked out of the house after Connie won the Powerball.
She decided to withhold all $20 million from him and immediately cut off all contact with him.
In response, Kenneth filed for divorce from Connie and filed a petition in Suffolk County Court for half the money.
“I feel betrayed. I couldn’t believe she did this to me. I’m still bitter that I loved her,” he told reporters at the time.
The couple, who married in 1987, were not wealthy and often bought lottery tickets in the hope of one day hitting it big.
“We wanted to buy a new condo and a new car – enjoy the rest of our lives and travel,” Kenneth said.
He claimed that when it came time to claim the ticket, Connie tried to get the money on her own, which shouldn’t have been a problem since they were married.
However, when they bought a condo a few months later, only her name was on the paperwork and all the money was in an account that Kenneth didn’t have access to.
At the time, he claimed he had been locked out by his estranged wife.
“She had the chance to give me at least half. She left me so I could fend for myself. I had to go and live with my son,” Kenneth said.
The couple eventually settled in court and only gave Kenneth about half the money.