See what the N.J. $90M Mega Millions jackpot winner did after learning they had the winning ticket
A Mega Millions player from Hudson County claimed the $90 million jackpot from the Dec. 2 drawing and opted for the cash value of nearly $42 million, lottery officials announced Tuesday.
The winner purchased the ticket at Garden State News on Bergenline Avenue in Union City and chose to remain anonymous as permitted by New Jersey law.
Later in the week after the winning numbers had been drawn, the player checked the ticket at the same store.
“People were all about asking ‘Who do you think won the prize?’ I just stood there, watching and sipping my coffee,” the player said.
A clerk scanned the ticket, and after the crowd thinned, showed the player the prize notice. “I showed the player that they won,” the clerk said. “They still didn’t believe. Then they cried.”
The player told lottery officials they felt a premonition the night of the drawing after a bird hit their window.
“I was up the night of the drawing. Hoping for something,” the winner said. “I knew something was coming for me, but I didn’t know just what.”
The winning numbers — 17, 25, 26, 53, 60, and the gold Mega Ball 16 — held special significance for the player, commemorating life milestones. The player had tried the numbers unsuccessfully in other games before using them for Mega Millions.
The winner expressed plans to stay grounded despite the windfall.
“This will allow my family to be financially free,” the player said. “But, I want to be careful. I don’t want this to change my life.”
Garden State News will receive a $30,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
“It’s great for the player, for us and the community,” said Krish Patel, the store owner. “Now, we’re one of the lucky stores, too.”
Generative AI was used to organize and write this story, based on data provided by the New Jersey Lottery. It was reviewed and edited by Advance Local.
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