MOUNT HOPE, West Virginia (AP) -- In his darkest moments, Jack Whittaker has sometimes wondered if winning the nearly $315 million Powerball game was really worth it.The jackpot that was the stuff of dreams turned into a nightmare: His wife left him and his drug-addicted granddaughter -- his protege and heir -- died. He endured constant requests for money.
Almost five years later, Whittaker is left with things money can't cure: His daughter's cancer, a long list of indiscretions documented in newspapers and court records, and an inability to trust others.
"I don't have any friends," he said in a lengthy interview with The Associated Press. "Every friend that I've had, practically, has wanted to borrow money or something and of course, once they borrow money from you, you can't be friends anymore."
Whittaker was a self-made millionaire long before he became a lottery winner, having built a pipeline business worth $17 million. Then he hit the Powerball in December 2002. It was then the largest single jackpot ever.
The prize was worth $314.9 million. Whittaker opted for the lump-sum payout of $170 million -- $93 million after taxes.
He still has plenty of money. And instead of retiring, the 59-year-old starts his day at 5 a.m., juggling ventures in construction, real estate, used-cars, even movies. Work is the last remnant of his old life.
Win Money and Watch Life Go To Hell
What a crazy thing. It sounds like an episode of the Twilight Zone.
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8 comments:
So many lottery winners go on spending sprees, quit their jobs, blow all the money and are worse off afterwards than they were before. They have no idea how to invest and use the money wisely. It's not always what you have, but how you use it.
I don't have to worry, I never play the lottery so I will never win.
I don't blame you. I take my lottery money and stick it in the bank. The odds are terrible.
A self-righteous jackass gets what's coming to him, it's called Karma, and he whines like a baby. Everyone in WV knows what Jack was like, before and after winning. He claims to be a man of god, married, and is at strip clubs till 5am. He has owned at least one strip club prior to winning the lotto.
I don't feel sorry for anyone who brings it all upon themself, and takes down the people around him at the same time.
And a good case for having 314 people win a million each as opposed to one d*ckhead winning 314 million.
Everyone can clearly see why he has no friends but try explaining it to a self righteous jackass and they won't get it.
This is priceless.
geez Jack Whittaker...you had really rotten luck for sure...but i have even rotterner luck, since me and my son and lil doggy have to move in with a nice kind pastor since we have no place to call home. Hey if you like you could call me sometime. if you have no friend maybe me and my wife can be friends. we need jobs too so we would love to work for your company. our phone number is 6462909523
Pat and Aniko
iof the lottery money has ruined his life then get rid of it give it all away and stop the crybabing about it
he was right about one thing even in this blogging some low lifes are asking him for money geez stop begging patrick from someone in charlotte who has nothing and is getting by waaaaaah
I think he'd be much happier if he invested 10 million in the Jameel House of Waffles.
Jameel,
No doubt. ;)
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